I have a lot of concern about Christians who, in my opinion, treat others in an un-Christlike manner when calling for accountability or discernment. If they get taken to task on social media, I am less than empathetic. If anything, I enjoy them being zapped. Then… I developed friendships with a few of them. When those…
Are You Ready to Fly?
Lynyrd Skynyrd may seem a bit odd for a Christian site’s “video of the week,” but give this a listen and you’ll see why. [youtube=https://youtu.be/Vl_bU776Gyk&rel=0&w=512]
Was Joseph (Jesus’ Stepfather) a Good Jew?
Reading in Matthew today, I ran into this again: Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to…
“The Walking Dead: Man’s Fallen Condition”
A great article by @soteriology101 on total depravity from an Arminian-ish view: “The Walking Dead: Man’s Fallen Condition”
Catching Up Tone Police Manual Entries
Hmmm…I’ve really fallen down uploading the latest Tone Police Manual entries…so…without further delay (please click on an image to see a larger version)…
Gazing into the Face of the Tone Police
Looking for an image on iClipart (a service I highly recommend) for a different article, I ran into one which, sadly, does aptly portray how some who claim to be officers in the Tone Police behave: If I have ever acted that way (or even come off that way), I apologize. However, just like the un-Christlike tone…
Au Contraire Mr. Edwards
Depending on your picture of the Most High, this may sum up your perception of Him: It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31, English Standard Version). Perhaps the most famous sermon based on this sentiment is Jonathan Edwards’ “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.”…
Dividing God
I have been blessed with the opportunity to lead the tween/teen class for church, and the material I’ve been provided is very good. However, in today’s lesson (based parts of Amos) it appeared to separate God’s judgment and discipline from God’s love. I think this is a mistake. I love my 7 year-old more than…
Theological Debate Advice from Data
Here is some theological debate advice from Star Trek Next Generation’s sentient android, Data: [youtube=http://youtu.be/yIRT6xRQkf8?w=512&rel=0] Test it. Don’t try to “win” the debate. Stay civil throughout. See what happens. P.S. And notice how Data behaves even after, not trying to “win”…he “wins”… Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is…
Cast Out
This is a post I really don’t want to write, but also think must be written. Generally averse to controversy, I recently stepped foot into what might be considered unfriendly territory. Inhospitable…not because I disagree with those who hold that land (in many ways I’m entirely in sync)…but because many who inhabit its hills and…
“Is Homosexual Practice No Worse Than Any Other Sin?”
Another (even longer) article worth your time: “Is Homosexual Practice No Worse Than Any Other Sin?” Although I can’t say I agree with Robert A. J. Gagnon entirely, I appreciate his logical approach and ultimate appeal to Scripture. Interestingly enough, where I might differ in accepting one sin as being greater than another is somewhat…
“The Right to Blaspheme Is the Right to Believe”
There aren’t many articles I would consider a must read, but this one by Daniel Greenfield fits that category: “The Importance of Blasphemy” You really should take the time to digest Greenfield’s piece, but I’ll at least share the quote that inspired how I titled this post: In a multi-religious society, in which every religion…
It Is Wrong. Full Stop.
There are times when the word “but” should never occur in a sentence. One of them is when apologizing. Just apologize. Don’t say, “I’m sorry, but…” Well, unless you really aren’t apologizing. Another time to not use the word “but” is when someone murders someone else. For instance, say, when radical Islamist terrorists kill 12…
“Critique of The Final End of the Wicked by Edward Fudge”
Well, I thought my previous post was a little light on Scripture when it got to the section on hell. This one does a bit better…. Alan Fahrner Theo 202 S04 Summer 1 06 Critique #4 Critique of The Final End of the Wicked by Edward Fudge Critique Although I personally think Edward Fudge did…
“The Destiny of the Unevangelized and the Nature of Hell”
I imagine it’s far from the first time John Piper gave his view of annihilationism, but within the last 24 hours he wrote this: Annihilation is what the unrepentant want, not what they dread. It would be a reward, not a punishment. Non-consciousness knows no loss. I’m not going to debate the merits of his…