Thoughtful Reflections on Faith and Life
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 Introduction We have been looking at the nature of God, looking at God the Father and then God the Son. Now we look at God the Spirit. I find this more of a challenge. When we hear Father, certain concrete images come to mind. When we hear Son, certain concrete images come … Read More “God the Spirit” »
Matthew 7:9-11 Introduction I have seen a real shift in attitudes toward days such as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. For much of my time involved in churches, these days were lifted up as highpoints for the year. The reason for this is that we put mothers and fathers on a pedestal and we offer … Read More “God the Father” »
If I was to ask this question to a random selection of evangelical Christians, I suspect that they would overwhelmingly say that we need to believe in the Trinity to be saved. But why? Let me clarify that I am a Trinitarian Christian who believed that there is one God, who is the Father, Son, … Read More “Do You Need to Believe in the Trinity to Be Saved?” »
Although I agree that Jesus is God (John 1:1), I have something specific in mind when I ask if Jesus is like God or God like Jesus. Traditionally, people have looked at Jesus and identified divine attributes and used this as ways to demonstrated that Jesus is God. But some theologians sees this as a … Read More “Is Jesus Like God or is God Like Jesus?” »
I have already seen some Christians getting frustrated with a movie being made of the popular book, The Shack. Most of the Christians I know hated the book and considered it heretical. It was bad enough that a book was written, a movie will just be that much worse. Or will it? The Shack definitely … Read More “How Should Christians Respond to the Shack Movie?” »
Andreas J. Kostenberger and Scott R. Swain, Father, Son and Spirit: The Trinity and John’s Gospel. Downer’s Grove: IVP, 2008. 224 pp. Pbk. It is common knowledge that both historically and perennially John’s Gospel has played a significant role in the formulation of the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. What is surprising, then, is the … Read More “Father, Son and Spirit” »
The uniqueness of Christianity One of the most common claims is that all religions are the same. This is incredibly false. Each religion has its own claim to being unique. Here are five ways in which Christianity is unique. 1. Christianity is falsifiable. Did the Buddha achieve enlightenment? Did Muhammed receive revelations from Gabriel? Even … Read More “5 Ways That Christianity is Unique” »
If you do not know what the Johannine Comma is, I will explain it to you (hint: it is not John’s punctuation). The best way to understand it is to compare 1 John in the KJV and a modern translation. “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the … Read More “The Johannine Comma and the Trinity” »
People often point out that the trinity is not in the Bible. What they really mean by this is that the word ‘trinity’ is not in the Bible. The basic concept of the trinity is in the New Testament though. Here are three passages where the idea of the trinity is beginning to emerge. “Go … Read More “The Trinity in the New Testament” »
On Facebook recently, I frustrated a number of my evangelical friends with posts I shared and comments I made related to Islam. I was accused of not knowing God, needing to repent and holding to heterodox doctrine. Since some people are concerned, I will take the time to make clear my position. I do not … Read More “My View of Islam” »
This sermon was preached on Oct. 3 2010 at Woodford Baptist and First Baptist Church Meaford. A Unique Gospel Galatians 1:6-9 Introduction What would it take for you to want to curse someone? Perhaps for some people it would be as simple as getting stuck behind a slow driver when you are in a hurry. … Read More “A Unique Gospel” »
Groups such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses sometimes point out that the Trinity is never mentioned in the Bible and yet traditional Christianity uses the Trinity as one of its major tests of orthodoxy. Could the Trinity be so important if it is never mentioned in the Bible? Does it even make sense? When you study … Read More “Why the Trinity Makes Sense” »
Did Jesus receive his divinity by a vote at the Council of Nicaea? In part one of this discussion, we looked at Jewish monotheism and saw that there was some flexibility within that monotheism that could conceive of a divine figure beside the Heavenly Father. But just because there was potential within Judaism, does not … Read More “Divinity By Decree: Part Two” »
