The Cosmic Mission of Christmas
Note: The below is a manuscript from a recent small group teaching in my local church. I have...
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Category: Article
Did Early Christians Practice Socialism or Communism?
To the chagrin of many Christians today, it may be surprising to learn that some scholars and...
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The “New” Objective Morality
The final days of the 20th century and beginning days of the 21st were rife with socio-political...
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The Accounts of History: The Truth About Bible “Stories”
Growing up in a profoundly Christian context, I was surrounded by Bible “stories.”...
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The Watchers, Babel, and God’s “Choice” of Israel
Why did God choose Israel? Have you ever thought about that? Throughout the biblical record, we...
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Modern Science ≠ General Revelation
In the origins debate, no shortage of ink has been spilled on the subject of the applicability of...
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Holy War: The Theology of Baptism
It is generally indisputable that there are two primary “ordinances” the church has...
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Evangelism and Exponential Growth
We live in a day where the idea of evangelism has become taboo in some circles; and, where some see the need but feel overwhelming fear in sharing Christ with others. I think there’s a two-part remedy to these issues.
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Daniel: A Portrait of Prayer, Power, and Prophecy
The book of Daniel gives multiple accounts of life during the Babylonian exile. In this week’s podcast and blog (which is more of a detailed outline), we explore some key concepts around the book of Daniel and discover how God used this man to change the world in his time.
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Evolution and Abiogenesis: Different, or the Same?
Although evolution and abiogenesis are two very important parts of the origins conversation, there is often some confusion about how these relate to one another. Are they ultimately the same thing? Is there a distinction?
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The 5 Contexts of Biblical Interpretation
When we think about “context” there are certain concepts that come to mind involving grammar, genre, literary devices, and other linguistic features. But there’s much more to the issue of context than that! Here’s an excerpt from my upcoming book that gives an introduction to thinking about interpreting the Bible well.
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God in the Garden in the Cool of the Day: A Man, or a Myth?
What kind of relationship did God have with Adam and Eve? Depending upon how you understand a particular pericope in Genesis 3, it may alter your entire understanding of the nature of God’s relationship to his first imagers. Was God in the garden a “man,” or a “myth?”
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The Art of the Reductio
While we’d all like to think we are prone to rational discourse, we nevertheless can be deceived into thinking that just because someone is smart, they are a careful thinker. As the example of Jesus, Paul, and parents everywhere shows—this is not necessarily the case.
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Who are the “gods” of Psalm 82?
I’ve recently been in a discussion with a friend of mine (and faithful reader of the blog!) about the divine council worldview. Among other things, we discussed concerns about the “gods” of Psalm 82. Just who are they, anyway?
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What is Ministry?
What is ministry? The word “ministry” has a variety of contexts, and I think it’s something quite often misunderstood. It’s much more than a profession.
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Do Miracles Happen?
Do miracles happen? One of the primary reasons people take issue with religious thought is that it almost necessarily involves a concept of the miraculous—an offensive idea to one living in the 21st century West. We’ve got it all figured out, right?
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How Can I Know I’m Saved?
Without a doubt, one of the most important questions one can ask is, “How can I know I’m saved?” In many ways, this is the most basic question a person can ask! And yet, the question is actually quite complex. As we explore a biblical answer to this question, it may be as good a time as any to reflect honestly on your answer.
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On Lydia McGrew’s Maximal Data Approach to Presenting the Resurrection of Jesus
We’re just off the heels of another Easter season, which should be a favorite time of year for all Christians. I know it is one of mine! We not only get to celebrate our Savior’s Passion for us, but we are presented with new opportunities to present it in the public arena.
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Marriage in the Bible and Sinning Against God
Many make the mistaking of thinking marriage is more of a constitutional union. In other words, one is married insofar as they have a piece of paper that declares it to be so. This isn’t necessarily wrong, but it is not the full picture.
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Should Christians Study the Hebrew and Greek Texts of the Bible Today?
Much time, money, and effort is given to the process of discovering the accurate reading and understanding of biblical texts. With the availability of God’s Word in unprecedented abundance, a question is raised in the minds of many Christians today—is it important to study the original languages of the Bible?
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Atheism and the Problem of Bad Theology
Part of the problem when sharing your faith with biblical skeptics is that, more often than not, they have little training in biblical theology, which often results in their having a bad theology. But Christians can be guilty of this, too! Here’s the nature of the problem, and some steps toward overcoming it.
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What Does it Mean to Call on the Name of the Lord?
“The name of the Lord” is a phrase used throughout Scripture by multiple different authors. I wonder if we truly grasp what it really means, though, to call upon his name? I get the sense that this is one of those ideas that has been cliché in Christian culture, such that its true meaning and/or significance is actually lost among those who are familiar with it.
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Reading the Bible may be a bad thing. Here’s why.
That Christians should spend time reading the Bible is, itself, uncontroversial. But just how should we read the Bible? Is there a “best” way?
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What Makes Having Kids Worth It? A Biblical Answer to the Wrong Question.
In our world, kids are treated as though they are an inconvenience. They are an “add-on” that some parents find nice to have, and others would rather not. This is not a biblical view of children.
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Don’t Be Afraid to Go Against the Grain—That’s What Jesus Did
The path to destruction is lined with those going with the grain. It’s easy to go along with the world into destruction. But the path to righteousness, the narrow path, is lined by those who, like Jesus, decide to go against the grain of society, sex, and self.
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