Category Archives: Challenging conventional doctrine

Burn-them-all vs. Universalism: A false choice

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A common phenomenon within theological, political, and other discussions that get us worked up, is that someone frames a question as “either-or” and then others jump onto that argument as “for” one side or the other…without anybody really stopping to consider whether the question itself was properly framed to begin with.  The recent controversy surrounding Rob Bell’s book “Love Wins” seems to me a prime … Continue reading Burn-them-all vs. Universalism: A false choice »

Why The Rapture Didn’t Happen Today and it Probably Never Will

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I suppose, because of my post title, the cat is out of the bag on my eschatology. So I’ll start this post right off the bat saying, it’s my conviction that there will be no rapture of the Church. I believe the overwhelming weight of biblical evidence in no way shape or form supports a phased approach of the coming of the Lord. Let me … Continue reading Why The Rapture Didn’t Happen Today and it Probably Never Will »

Did God really abandon Jesus on the cross?

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Today is Good Friday, the day we honor the supreme sacrifice Jesus Christ made when he went to his execution on the cross.   While I have argued before that Christians tend to spend too much energy and emotion on Jesus’ death and too little on his resurrection, it is still right and good that we soberly and gratefully acknowledge the suffering Jesus voluntarily accepted on … Continue reading Did God really abandon Jesus on the cross? »

Misplaced Passion

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In recognition of holy week, I’m going to resurrect a piece I wrote five years ago at Easter, after I saw the film The Passion of the Christ.  Released in 2006, the film itself is clearly not news; however, as recently as this month I’ve heard fellow Christians speaking positively—almost reverently—of the film and its portrayal of Jesus’ suffering.  Notwithstanding the excellent work on Jesus’ … Continue reading Misplaced Passion »

Sola Scriptura — Really!

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Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone).  It’s a phrase originally made famous by the reformer Martin Luther.  I’m not clear on the historical precedent, but today I hear it most often from those who consider themselves part of the Reformed tradition–which now seems largely to mean modern Calvinism–when they recite it as one of the Five Solas.  Aside from the irony of having five “onlys” in anything,  … Continue reading Sola Scriptura — Really! »

Every Christian ought to be a muslim (but not the way you think)!

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OK, take a deep breath.  Trust me when I say I’m not asking anybody to throw away their Bible and start planning their pilgrimage to Mecca.  I am, however, going to attack some truly damaging language that I hear from many of my fellow Christians on the subject of Islam…language that I maintain is neither edifying nor honoring to God, and actually flat-out wrong.  There … Continue reading Every Christian ought to be a muslim (but not the way you think)! »

Tempted as we are?

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A study group I’ve been meeting with has been asked to memorize Hebrews 4:14-16, and it’s dug up an old, nagging irritation for me.  The writer of Hebrews states that our High Priest, Jesus, “in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”  I’ll come right to the point:  at least as that sentence reads in English, I cannot accept it as … Continue reading Tempted as we are? »

If Spirit = Breath, what of Theopneustos?

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Those who know me well may have seen this coming…but now that we’ve looked at the Holy Spirit, not as a “being” but as the Wind/Breath of God (see this post if you haven’t already read it), it’s time to take another look at an old friend.  I refer, of course, to θεόπνευστος (“theopneustos”) from 2 Tim. 3:16.  Those who already know Greek will know, … Continue reading If Spirit = Breath, what of Theopneustos? »

The Holy Spirit – Part 2: When and Where?

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In my last post I took issue with common Christian creeds’ trinitarian characterization of the Holy Spirit.  This time I’m going to take a look at another element of common Evangelical statements of faith: the claim that the Holy Spirit “indwells every believer.”  This teaching makes the claim that the Holy Spirit is bestowed upon everyone who “believes in Christ” (a phrase fraught with its … Continue reading The Holy Spirit – Part 2: When and Where? »

The Holy Spirit – Breath of God

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I approach this subject with a bit more caution than some of my posts, because I know it’s going to be particularly sensitive to some readers…enough so, in fact, that a couple caveats are necessary at the outset.  First and foremost, while in the next couple posts I’m going to challenge a number of commonly-held teachings about the Holy Spirit, I am NOT denying either … Continue reading The Holy Spirit – Breath of God »