Which came first: the chick or the egg? The proverbial question isn’t just for philosophical gamesmanships. Isn’t it interesting that those who claim the WORD of God as final, do so of course with “their interpretations” of the Word. I used to place the Bible, the Word of God, above all. Everything had to come back to the WORD for confirmation, verification, and validation. How convenient that the WORD was according to my interpretation. How convenient indeed. Continue reading ‘Faulty Interpretations’
Archive for the 'Beyond Theism' Category
Who can speak of God with any intelligence? What is there that we could say that would be descriptive to any degree of satisfaction? As Henri de Lubac once said, “To speak of God is as dangerous as it is necessary.” Do you ever feel that? Pope Leo III, who spoke in Latin (but of course) in the early 9th century put it this way, “The difficulty of expressing oneself arises from the same source as the need for not keeping silence”, or Inde oritur diffucultas fandi, unde adest ratio non tacendi, in honor of Pope Benedict’s command to go back to Latin. Continue reading ‘Danger On Both Sides’
The Holy Spirit isn’t the sole agent of the the Protestant denomination, nor of the Roman Catholic church. The Spirit of God IS though the actively engaged agent of the universe- or shall we dare say the true catholic church, as the word “catholic” means. It’s too bad that over the years, words have come to mean different things. Prevent mean to “go before“, not to “avert”, as we interpret it today. The word comfort meant “strength“, and not the mushy emotional “pamper me” that it’s taken to signify today. In like fashion we need to realize that catholic means one-universal- not just Roman! Continue reading ‘Universally Engaged!’
Begin with the first person of the trinity and then work you way to the second person of the trinity. That woiuld mean start with God and end with Jesus. I’m playing with you in a way; however, I am also being serious about how you can share your faith with others. Paul Yonggi Cho is the “pastor” of the world’s largest Protestant church (Assemblies of God), the 850,000-member Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, South Korea. He’s evidently doing something right. And he says don’t tell anyone that you are a Christian until you have done them three favors. Continue reading ‘Loving Evangelism’
We read Romans 5:20 and then live as though we hadn’t. God is greater than anything we’re facing. God’s divine love is inexhaustible. His power is more than adequate to handle any and all situations. The problem lies at our feet and our choices not to accept this love. Note, I stayed away from saying “believing“, which has so many misconceptions. Using a trite phrase, “You haven’t see anything yet”. Continue reading ‘God Is Near- Here!’
It is so unfortunate that Christians throughout many denominations have put down their brushes and quit painting. How’d this happen? Can you say religion and self righteousness? I know, it’s hard to confess isn’t it. Just because the New Testament Biblical canon has been closed (is that an eternal thing Luther?) doesn’t mean that God has quit talking? Forget that seventh day rest allegory: God’s at work splashing paint everywhere. If only we could see it! Continue reading ‘Keep Painting- Changing!’
Our homeowners insurance comes due on an annual basis most often, car insurance semi-annually, or monthly depending upon the risk. But, most people buy a fire insurance policy against hell when in their teens, and they never take it out and look at it again. My recommendation is that you review that old policy and that you trade your fire insurance for a life assurance policy! Continue reading ‘Change Your Insurance Policies’
What Jesus did 2,000 years ago got him crucified. I can’t imagine what would happen to Him today. Could it be worse? I don’t know how, but what I do know, is that when one is trying to talk others into the REAL message of Jesus, all hell will break loose. This is 2007 and we are living in America. Let the good tiems roll, and don’t tell someone what they can’t do, or can’t have. We are ENTITLED you know. Tell people how Jesus wants them to prosper, and they’ll fill the pews. But, try and convince them of the heart of the Gospel, and you’ll be heard only once- and then partially. Continue reading ‘Attempting The Impossible’
Few people even encounter the word, let alone understand it and therein the problem festers. I’m talking about the word CHRISTOLOGY! Christology is a field of study within Christian theology which is concerned with the nature of Jesus the Christ, particularly with how the divine and human are related in his person. Christology is generally less concerned with the details of Jesus’ life than with how the human and divine co-exist in one person. Most Christians believe in what they’ve been taught to BELIEVE, and not only don’t question it, but to stray from it is heresy. Ah, such love! Continue reading ‘Christological Controversies’
My how I loved to sing that song with such GUSTO! “Give me that OLD time religion, it’s good enough for me”. I sang it in the twentieth century though. Much has changed in the last 50+ years or so. Can you imagine trying to operate in today’s business, economic, or political world on 1960’s ideas. There was no internet then. The USSR had a different meaning than today. There was no Euro or European Union. I could list so many things that have nothing to do with reality then versus now; however, the church still sees itself operating not as it was 50 years ago, but 100 or 150 years ago. In some cases, 200 years ago when Scofield lived. Many still use and swear by his Bible (or at least his footnotes). Continue reading ‘It’s The 21st Century!’
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