On Atonement Theories
It's not surprising that there is no shortage of theories about the atonement. But do we have to pick just one theory, or can we accept some or all of them?
Every now and then I presume to wax philosophical.
I'm just a kid, and there's a heck of a lot I still don't know. But that's not going to stop me from putting my tentative theological thinkings on these here interwebs. I don't think I'm always right, but I do always think I'm right.
On Free Will
Do we have free will? Did I choose my breakfast this morning? Did I choose to write this? Do we choose God? Do we decide our eternal fate? Here are few things that I believe to be true.
A Peculiar Test of Our Affections
Our affections matter. I mean our deepest desires. Our most lofty ambitions. But how can we evaluate our affections to keep Christ at the center? I propose one possible way to test our affections.
What is Eternal Life?
So what’s eternal life? The whole reason Jesus took on flesh and endured the Cross was so that we might obtain this eternal life — so what is it? What is this great hope that Jesus promises to everyone who believes in him? A few thoughts.
Two Masters and a Universal Law
Why can’t we serve two masters? According to Jesus, “no one can serve two masters,” but I don’t think that’s necessarily a self-evident fact. It doesn’t seem impossible to serve two masters. In the end, it will depend on what Jesus means by “master,” and I think it’s a fruitful topic because it helps clarify the claims Jesus makes on our lives.
Rejoicing at those in Hell?
It doesn't sound very Christian. We're supposed to be compassionate and love our enemies. We can't possibly be happy about hell, can we?
Thoughts on How to Pray
How are we to pray? Prayer is a weighty matter. When we pray, we're requesting an audience with the King of kings. If we're called to participate in such a privileged exercise without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), it seems to me we ought to take care to do it right.
Tips for Memorizing Scripture
I've memorized somewhere around 2000 verses from the Bible over the last year, so l figured I'd write down some of my tips for extended Scripture memorization. I'm no expert, so obviously take these with one or more grains of salt. Oh and naturally, I reference linked lists a couple of times.
The Hermeneutic Principle of Coolness
Recently, l've been lending more and more credence to a somewhat strange and perhaps controversial principle when interpreting Scripture. When I am torn between two or more competing ideas about a particular topic, I lean towards whichever one inspires more awe. I know it sounds weird — and it certainly has its dangers, but I really think there's quite a bit of merit to this approach to interpreting Scripture.
Concerning Scripture and Science
What is the relationship between science and the Bible? Should we use science to inform our understanding of Scripture?
Centuries of Latent Reform
Undoubtedly, Luther played a pivotal role in the Reformation, but from one perspective, he merely finished the work of earlier reformers. By the start of the sixteenth century, Luther happened upon a world already striving for reform. Of course, the German monk made brilliant contributions to the reformation effort, namely with his innovative and accessible writing style and forceful use of the printing press, but in one sense, Luther only built upon previous efforts amid extremely opportune circumstances to open the floodgates on a world already pregnant with the Reformation.
The Case for Limited Atonement
This essay discusses the controversial doctrine of limited atonement within Calvinism. Limited atonement holds that Jesus' death on the cross was intended to secure salvation for a specific group of people, rather than making salvation possible for all. This essay presents biblical evidence supporting limited atonement, addresses objections, and highlights the value of this doctrine. It emphasizes the weight of sin, the glory of God's grace, the specificity of God's love, and the efficacy of the atonement.
Constantine and the Church
Constantine's conversion to Christianity had a significant impact on the Church. While there are debates about the sincerity of his conversion, his actions undoubtedly shaped the future of Christianity. He intervened in internal disputes, convening councils to settle conflicts and define orthodoxy. He also ended the persecution of Christians and granted the religion legal status. Constantine's influence on the Church set patterns and precedents for future interactions between the Church and the state. Overall, his role had a lasting impact on the history of Christianity.
The Greatest Story
Stories are powerful. They convey ideas and shape worldviews. And every good story subscribes to a fundamental outline: setting, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. There is one story, however, from which this framework is derived, and indeed, which every good story mirrors. This story is the Gospel, the Good News of God's work in mankind.
God Meant it for Good
How can God accomplish His purposes through the sinful actions of human beings and still be holy, just, and good?
To Live is Christ
What does Paul mean by "to live is Christ, and to die is gain?" In what manner is living Christ and dying gain? Are the choices really both equally appealing? Why is Paul torn? What does Paul choose? And what lessons does his choice present to Christians today?
Jonathan Edwards on the Trinity
In the 1700s, Jonathan Edwards, one of the great preachers of the Great Awakening, wrote a speculative essay on the trinitarian nature of God. Edwards agrees with many others that the exact nature of the Trinity is too great a mystery to be comprehended. Then why ponder and write about the Trinity? Edwards writes because his love for God only grows the more he comes to know him.
The Divine Dilemma
At first, it seems wrong that God could face any dilemma. It seems inappropriate to suggest that the same God whose purposes cannot be thwarted (Job 42:2) could face a dilemma. A dilemma suggests a restriction. If God "works all things according to the counsel of his will" (Ephesians 1:11), can he not do as he pleases? What can restrict him? Did Christ really have to bear the humiliation of the incarnation and claim the guilt of our sin on the Cross?
My Classical Education
When I was in 8th grade, I read Athanasius' *On the Incarnation* for school. Before starting the short, little treatise, I was assigned C.S. Lewis' preface to the book. I remember thinking it was a little strange - who actually reads the preface? But the reason soon became clear. In the preface, Lewis essentially provided an argument for reading "old books." I was really just beginning my tour of some of the greatest books ever written, but given the author's reputation, I decided to take his word for it.
Is Sin Natural?
Is sin natural? It's an interesting question. On the one hand, sin is not the natural state of mankind. But don't we have a sin nature? Depending on one's perspective, either answer could be correct. And I think it's worth exploring both perspectives.
The Importance of Civil Discourse
If we truly want to arrive at truth, we must entertain different thoughts and viewpoints. Arguments and debates should be a mutual pursuit of what is true, good, or beautiful. The Founding Fathers wanted what was best for the country, and the goal of their debates was to find the best system of government for America. Because they entertained different and opposing ideas, they came closer to drafting the best constitution for the United States.
Forgiveness and the Son of God
This essay explores the connection between Jesus' ability to heal and his power to forgive sins. It analyzes the argument presented in Luke 5, where Jesus heals a paralyzed man and asserts his authority to forgive sins. The essay addresses questions such as whether the healing of the paralyzed man is a sufficient foundation to deduce Jesus' ability to forgive sins and whether Jesus' ability to forgive sins necessitates his divinity. By examining these questions, the essay seeks to demonstrate the profound implications of Jesus' actions and his identity as the Son of God.
Paul and Silas in Prison
This story differs from other New Testament stories of disciples in prison. Both when the apostles were imprisoned (Acts 5) and when Peter was imprisoned (Acts 12), they escaped with the help of an angel. But in this passage, Paul does not escape when he is provided the opportunity by divine intervention. His willingness to remain in prison reveals both the attitude and chief desire of one who has been freed from sin, and the result of his patient waiting evidences God's power and ability to orchestrate all things for his glory and for the good of those who love him.
The Temptation of Jesus
This essay explores the often overlooked significance of Jesus' temptation and the valuable teachings hidden within this familiar story from the Bible. It raises questions about the role of temptation in validating Christ's work, the misconceptions surrounding his ability to resist sin, and the insights it provides for Christians in their own battles against temptation.
Of the Same Essence as the Father
This essay explores the significance of the divinity and humanity of Christ in the face of heretical teachings like Arianism and Docetism. It delves into the biblical evidence supporting Christ's deity and humanity, emphasizing the importance of these doctrines for the Christian faith and the redemptive work of Christ.
The Image of God
What does it truly mean to be made in the image of God? How does the doctrine of the "imago Dei" - the image of God - provide a model for living and shape our responsibilities? This essay explores the multifaceted subject of the image of God, examining its nature, extent, and implications.
Faith and Works
At first glance, it appears that Paul's doctrine of justification by faith alone cannot be reconciled with James's teaching on the necessity of works. If one presupposes that the Bible is errant and contains mistakes, the easiest conclusion is that one of the teachings is true and the other false. This forces an either-or dilemma, which inevitably reduces Scripture and overlooks a key soteriological truth.
What is Love?
English translations of the Bible do not do justice to the biblical concept of love, nor can they. The English language contains one word, love, but Koine Greek, the language of the New Testament, expresses the same abstraction through four individual words. Consequently, any linguistic expression of love is ambiguous, and its boundaries nebulous. Such conditions necessarily incapacitate the word, disintegrating its power, which is unfortunate because love is an essential biblical doctrine. A thorough understanding of love is vital to even marginally comprehending the Gospel.
Material World - Good or Evil?
What makes something good? Man was clearly good before the Fall, but has sin completely destroyed any goodness man had? Will man ever return to his pre-Fall state?
Humility and Leadership
The world's concept of leadership is utterly divergent from biblical leadership. History is full of stories of corrupt leaders and despots, of kingdoms and nations led to failure by poor leaders. And at the root of such stories is selfishness and pride. Stories of truly successful leaders are stories of humble leaders who put the needs of their followers first. The life of Jesus, the one perfect Leader; Scripture's classification of leadership as servanthood; and man's call to glorify God in all things thoroughly yoke together concepts of leadership and humility.
Is Christianity a Security Blanket?
Is Christianity merely a security blanket for believers seeking comfort? This essay challenges that notion, arguing that Christianity is not a product of human imagination designed to provide comfort. Unlike religions that affirm human desires, Christianity confronts the reality of our sinful state and does not sugarcoat it. It calls for self- sacrifice, suffering, and following Christ even when comfort is not guaranteed. However, while not a security blanket, Christianity offers true and eternal comfort to those who seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness above all else.