Now, why would God be three and one – what difference would that make? For a long time, many Christian theologians, I think, were taught like I was… that the Triune aspect of God’s nature was academic and interesting, but of no real practical value. I hinted earlier that recent discussions have focused in on…Continue reading Is the Trinity Rational? Part III
Category: Bible Questions
Is the Trinity Rational – Part II
The Christian teaching of the trinity says that the eternal God has among His traits the characteristic of “One-ness.” This is a vital teaching for Christians since we are not polytheists. There is only One God. This teaching an be found clearly in the Jewish roots of Christianity – arguably the oldest of the Monotheistic…Continue reading Is the Trinity Rational – Part II
Is the Trinity Rational – Part I
Is the Christian doctrine of the “Trinity” rational? I am committed to the concept that God is a rational God. Let me make sure and clarify, though, since people do not know what that word means most of the time. I recently offered to come speak at an atheist’s meeting and described myself as a…Continue reading Is the Trinity Rational – Part I
Examining the Temptation of Pornography – Part II
A man decides that one of their goals in life is to have a very nice watch. For them, whatever brand, is a measure of success… a $5000 watch. But they can only set aside $100 per month. 50 months… a little over 4 years. That’s a long time to wait for a goal. Now…Continue reading Examining the Temptation of Pornography – Part II
Examining the Temptation of Pornography Part I
The Thief comes to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that you might have life and have it abundantly.” Jesus Christ. For years I have talked to mostly men, and a few women, about issues connected to the temptations particular to pornography. Since the incidents of women engaging in pornography is apparently on the…Continue reading Examining the Temptation of Pornography Part I
Women’ Roles in Ministry – Part IV
Conclusion Perhaps a healthy thought would be to consider that like Priscilla in Acts 18:26, that the church’s best interest is served when men and women serve and even guide and lead together. Certainly, even if a team of men or a man lead a church, their wives and the women in other roles of…Continue reading Women’ Roles in Ministry – Part IV
Women’s Roles in Ministry – Part II
We can start with women as deacons: The main passage that people reference in saying that women should not be in the role of deacon are found in the letters to his younger protégé’s Timothy and Titus in the criteria listed . For example: I Timothy 3:12 “Let deacons each be the husband of one…Continue reading Women’s Roles in Ministry – Part II
Women’s Roles in Ministry – Part I
Women in Ministry Right now, I am the Lead Pastor at a church that allows and encourages women in roles that some other churches do not. Women can serve as deacons, as teachers in a co-ed Life Group, members of the Leadership Board (the main decision making board of the church), can be licensed as…Continue reading Women’s Roles in Ministry – Part I
Christian Self Defense or Pacifism Conversation Part VIII
So, Actual Final Words Again, in this case, I am not arguing against pacifism at the “personal conviction” level. Of course, any human might determine that it is wrong for them to engage in almost kind of activity; examples might include sex, gambling, drinking alcohol, smoking, reading certain books, etc – that may be completely…Continue reading Christian Self Defense or Pacifism Conversation Part VIII
Christian Self Defense or Pacifism Conversation Part VII
Working Towards Final Words Matt 5:39-42 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces…Continue reading Christian Self Defense or Pacifism Conversation Part VII
Christian Self Defense or Pacifism Conversation Part V
Continuing to Engage with the Biblical Arguments for Pacifism Don’t fear death This argument, based on Matt 10:28 (“do not fear those who kill the body…”), says that Christians should not defend themselves because of what Jesus teaches here about us not “fearing death.” Here in the midst of Jesus’ instructions to His Apostles before…Continue reading Christian Self Defense or Pacifism Conversation Part V
Christian Self Defense or Pacifism Conversation Part IV
The Arguments So, we examine the passages used to defend Christian Pacifism. So, let me make clear, I am not at all saying that killing is always right (even in times of war, execution or self defense), but am just making the case that it CAN be right. I am not going to try to…Continue reading Christian Self Defense or Pacifism Conversation Part IV
Christian Self Defense or Pacifism Conversation Part III
The Description of Government Further, the Christian pacifist needs to explain why it is apparently morally responsible for governments to engage in the violence of being “an avenger who bring wrath on the one who practices evil” (Romans 13:4) in God’s eyes and that Christians are to subject themselves to that government – that to…Continue reading Christian Self Defense or Pacifism Conversation Part III
Christian Self Defense or Pacifism Conversation Part I
Nehemiah 4:9 “And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.” In debate, there is a focal point of debates called “burden.” I am starting this conversation with what I see to be the burden of the Christian pacifist. I will warn you, this part isn’t short. …Continue reading Christian Self Defense or Pacifism Conversation Part I
Noah and Gilgamesh
Guest Post by Mark Legg This is a great addition to the series about Christ and ancient myths. What about how the ancient account of Gilgamesh overlaps with the account of Noah? Though there are many accounts of a flood that extended back many thousands of years ago, the epic of Gilgamesh is remarkably like…Continue reading Noah and Gilgamesh
Osiris and Horus
In this series of articles, I am responding to the claim that the story of Jesus is merely a recapitulation from a different ancient myth. All that I am doing in these is giving a report on the traits and narrative of these myths with very little comment. I leave it to the reader to…Continue reading Osiris and Horus
Christ and ancient myths – part II
Make sure and read part I of this article first! I recommend reading the actual story of Horus and other gods in the link below and deciding for yourself if Christianity and they are connected. (keep in mind that links will not be active until an article has been published). My own opinion, as I…Continue reading Christ and ancient myths – part II
Christ and ancient myths
Christianity and other Ancient Religions Some of you may have been wondering why I recently posted the account of the story of Krishna, Horus, a reference for great information on the history of the Roman Mithras cult, and then the walk through of the Odyssey and the Gospel of Mark. In this series of articles,…Continue reading Christ and ancient myths
Wrestling with prayer – Part V – the final chapter
more consideration of a world in which my prayers always worked as I wanted… starting with the scariest one… The effect of my responsibility I cannot imagine the level of responsibility I would feel if my prayers automatically moved God to my desires like He were my butler. Can you see it? Every kid who…Continue reading Wrestling with prayer – Part V – the final chapter
Wrestling with prayer – Part IV
OK, so can prayer change things? After looking at a few biblical passages with some brothers in Christ, I think the answer is that apparently it can… I freely admit that this is based on that fact that I trust the Holy Bible to be accurate, and that might be another article at some point,…Continue reading Wrestling with prayer – Part IV