We also need to see beyond the myopia of the current crisis to its long-term consequences. What awaits us when the pestilence passes? What sort of world will we be living in? Will the lessons learned lead to the restoration of lost liberties or will we find that the freedoms we relinquished in this time... Continue Reading

Early in the modern era, some rational theologians seemed sure that they could justify belief in the main tenets of Christianity on narrow rationalist premises (e.g., William Chillingworth, John Tillotson). But by the end of the century, even John Locke, the would-be rational defender of the faith, could not see his way through to justify... Continue Reading

The Apostle Paul employs two primary paradigms for understanding men and women. He points backwards to the original creation and the figures of Adam and Eve, and he points forwards to Jesus Christ and the Church in their soteriological-eschatological state. The former approach can be seen in 1 Cor. 11:8-12 and in 1 Tim. 2:12-15.... Continue Reading

Much of the modern controversy over men and woman centers on the interpretation of one text in the Pauline corpus. 1 Timothy 2:1-15 gives us the Apostle’s teaching on the contribution of men and women in the church. In verses 9-15, the Apostle deals with women and restricts their function in the church based upon... Continue Reading

You cannot read 1 Cor 8:6-7 in which Christ the Lord is inserted into the Shema and think, “Gee, this is just some human that Paul and his churches worship.” Being baptized into the singular name of the three (Matt 28) meant that early Christians already worshipped God via their baptism and confession.   The... Continue Reading

Theology is concerned with knowing God as He is revealed in the Word of God. Studying theology helps the people of God to know God as He has revealed Himself as the Creator, sustainer, Judge of all things, Alpha and Omega, and the beginning and end of all things.   Theology is the study of... Continue Reading

Betsie is aware, well aware, that this life is not devoid of hardship or “bad times.” She is embracing the fact that there may be worse times ahead than she–or the world–has ever experienced. For the unbeliever that alone is enough to send one into frantic fear and panic, but not for God’s beloved.  ... Continue Reading

Perhaps we should seriously considered the distinct possibility that all the guiding philosophies of this world have unionized to cobble together a central message that drives us into the moral chaos in which we find ourselves. Like a fat-cat global conglomerate, the world and its board of directors have fine-tuned their mission statement and built... Continue Reading

Most of us doubtless want to distance ourselves from what might be regarded as “the lunatic fringe” of contemporary Christianity. We are on our guard against being led astray by false teachers. But there is more to discernment than this. True discernment means not only distinguishing the right from the wrong; it means distinguishing the... Continue Reading

I am friends with at least two people who have been influenced by Hart’s book (and I know of many others). What strikes me is that Hart’s book has launched at the perfect time in terms of the cultural zeitgeist. Everyone wants a more inclusive culture, and many desire non-punitive correction (except for those who breach... Continue Reading