Previously, I discussed my reading of Romans 8.29-30, which I read as separating God's foreknowledge from his sovereign choice (predestination) to preserve those who will respond to him in faith. As I read it, this rules out double predestination, which is the idea that God chooses, predestines, renders certain BOTH the individuals who are the … Continue reading Why I Am Not a Calvinist, pt 2: Double Predestination and God’s Love
Bible & Theology
The Holy Spirit pt 3; Daniel’s Observations
There was some discussion on Facebook regarding the original post in this series. Daniel Bartholomew offered several perceptive comments about how the Spirit acts. Biblically speaking, God's power is often manifested in deeply, deeply flawed individuals. Think David. Lot, called "righteous". Noah. Even Saul displayed the work of the Spirit. There does seem, Biblically speaking, … Continue reading The Holy Spirit pt 3; Daniel’s Observations
“His Mercy Is More”
I just heard this song; not new, but new to me. Love this. LOVE it. What love could remember, no wrongs we have done Omniscient all-knowing, He counts not their sum Thrown into a sea, without bottom or shore Our sins they are many, His mercy is more What patience would wait, as we constantly … Continue reading “His Mercy Is More”
The Role of Experience in Theology
More on the topic of how we read the Bible: I have long contended that we don't simply "read the Bible and do what it says"; it's always more complicated than that, and honesty requires us to admit this. There are always other voices, in addition to the words of scripture, that guide us. Richard … Continue reading The Role of Experience in Theology
Atonement, pt 3; A Pastoral Pause
The first three theories I surveyed (ransom, Christus Victor, satisfaction) are the most ancient systematic attempts to explain the point of Jesus' death. As I said, the satisfaction theory arose in Europe in the 1100's, and the other two predate that. Of the three, the one that seems to me to hold the most pastoral … Continue reading Atonement, pt 3; A Pastoral Pause
Atonement, pt 2
Why did Jesus die? What did his death achieve? When we attempt to answer those questions, we are discussing "atonement". These questions have spawned a great deal of discussion over the past 2,000 years. Different Bible writers, including Jesus himself (I call Jesus a “Bible writer” because he is the source of the material attributed … Continue reading Atonement, pt 2
Atonement pt 1: Why Did Jesus Die?
I'm going to "geek out" on theology for the next few days. Consider this a cheap and amateurish introduction to systematic theology. I've been meaning for some time to publish the following material, which I originally presented at Stijena Spasenja ("Rock of Salvation"), an Evangelical Pentecostal congregation here in Zagreb. Why did Jesus die? What … Continue reading Atonement pt 1: Why Did Jesus Die?
From CT: “Biblical Responses to Sri Lanka’s Easter Bombings”
We were horrified at the news from Sri Lanka this past Sunday, where terrorists affiliated with ISIS bombed Christian churches during their Easter services. The pictures of a statue of Jesus, splattered with worshippers' blood, was especially appropriate & symbolic (Colossians 1:24 (NET): "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up … Continue reading From CT: “Biblical Responses to Sri Lanka’s Easter Bombings”
Evangelical Engagement 8: Christendom vs. Christianity
My thinking re. the problems faced by evangelicals in Europe is shaped by the conflict I see between Christianity and Christendom. My thinking on this conflict is itself shaped by Soren Kierkegaard (hereafter SK) (Attack on Christendom) and Malcolm Muggeridge (The End of Christendom). In this post I will summarize SK's contribution. SK was a … Continue reading Evangelical Engagement 8: Christendom vs. Christianity
Circleslide 