John 15:2a is usually understood as being about unproductive branches being removed, but some propose a new way of interpreting this phrase.
What does “shekinah” mean for Christians? Is this concept in the Bible? What, if anything, does “shekinah” tell us about God’s gender?
Who are the 144,000 in Revelation 7 and 14? What do they symbolise? Are women really excluded from this group?
Here are 12 blogs on Christian theology and biblical studies written by evangelical scholars who don’t push a complementarian or patriarchal agenda.
Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Uriah’s wife are the only women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1. Why only these four women?
In part 2 I look at Bible verses that refer to a future judgement involving eternal elements including fire. Do these verses speak of eternal conscious torment for the unrepentant?
Paul never mentions Gehenna (“hell”) in his letters. James mentions it once. Jesus mentions it several times. Is it a real place? Is it a place of torment for people?
As followers of Jesus we need to keep our eyes on our risen and exalted Lord. But on this Good Friday, I’m praying using Fanny Crosby’s words, “Jesus, keep me near the cross.”
Have you heard people say that all sins (wrong doings) are the same before God? I have wondered about this belief. What does the Bible say about this?
Does Romans 5:12-21 teach that God holds only Adam, and not Eve, ultimately responsible for the first sin? How does Paul use the example of Adam in Romans 5 and 1 Corinthians 15?
I love this powerful image of Mary consoling Eve. Just look at their feet!
A short post on why Christian women, as well as Christian men, are sons of God. What does it mean to be an adopted son of God?
Are you looking for a systematic theology or a book on Christian doctrine that has been written by a scholar with an egalitarian or mutualist ideology? Here are a few good books you might want to add to your library.
Does the Trinity model distinct roles and separate spheres? Is there hierarchy and subordination in the Divine?
The accounts of the transfiguration of Jesus in the gospels are puzzling, and the point and purpose of the accounts are unclear. Perhaps this article may make its meaning clearer.
Grace has sometimes been confused or conflated with the concept of mercy, but they are not the same thing. Read more about the power of grace that God gives us.
Was Eve alone when the snake spoke to her? Here is a summary of Julie Parker’s essay, “Blaming Eve Alone: Translation, Omission, and Implications of עמה in Genesis 3:6b.”
This post takes a brief look at the Hebrew word ga’al which means “redeem” and “act like a close relative.” This is what both Boaz and Jesus did.
Gal. 3:28 isn’t only referring to our identity/ status before God. It’s also about our identity/ status in the Christian community (the church).
This article looks at the origins and development of the Passover meal as recorded in the Bible. It also looks at the Seder of early Judaism and the Eucharist of early Christianity.
In this post I share some Bible verses and thoughts about God’s kingdom in the here and now and future, and I briefly state the early Jewish understanding of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Christians have been waiting almost 2000 years for Jesus to return to earth. But what if Jesus is waiting for us? Is he waiting for us to bring shalom?
What does oppression and the horrors of slavery in the song “O Holy Night” have to do with an innocent newborn baby in a manger?
This passage is all about Jesus: Jesus, the triumphant victor. He has won the victory over sin and death through his death, the Righteous for the unrighteous, once and for all.
A visit to a beautiful chapel near Rotarua (in New Zealand) highlighted to me that followers of Jesus are not separated, excluded, or prohibited from God’s holy presence. Rather, we are welcome and invited to draw near.
This is a critique of Mary Kassian’s article “Sex in the Shadowlands” in which she applies the word “head” to more than God, Jesus, and husbands.
Ephesians 5:22-33 is written as a chiasm with a highlighted point at the centre of the passage. We misinterpret this passage if we miss this main point.
Today I found out that some Roman Catholics believe that Jesus is eternally on the cross. What does the Bible, especially the book of Hebrews, say about this belief?
Does weeping and gnashing of teeth go on for eternity? Was Lazarus in hell? Where is Tartarus?
Was Jesus poor? A few verses in the Gospels indicate that Jesus was not as poor as I have previously been led to believe.
Was the declaration of “Peace on Earth” sung by the heavenly host for everyone? Where is this peace the angels sang about? Here is my Christmas plea.
In this series, I compare the story of Jesus’ nativity, as depicted on Christmas cards and in religious art, with what it says in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
Cosy images on Christmas cards contrast with Mary’s potentially scandalous and risky situation of being pregnant and unmarried. How scandalous was it?
The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem can’t have been easy for pregnant Mary. She can’t always have been as serene as depicted on Christmas cards, or as lonely.
Christmas cards often show the newborn Jesus surrounded by farm animals. Was this really the case? And what is the significance of the “manger” mentioned three times in Luke chapter 2?
Was Jesus born on the 25th of December at the time of the winter solstice? Or was he born at the time of Spring lambing or even during the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles?
Most religious art portrays Mary as serene, shy, and even sombre. Are they accurate portrayals? Does the Bible teach that Mary remained a virgin?
Who were the magi, the wise men from the east who worshipped the Christ child? The writings of Herodotus, Philo, and others shed light on their identity.
Here are 4 reasons why I’m staying out of gender discussions that use the Trinity as a model for marriage.
1 Peter 1:17-21 is one long sentence in the Greek text. In this single sentence, Peter tells his readers that their works will be judged. He also tells them about the precious cost of their redemption.
God is often referred to with masculine pronouns and masculine terms in the Bible. Does this mean God is male or masculine?
Do we place our sins and troubles at the metaphorical “foot of the cross”? Or do we hand them over to God the Father through the real, resurrected, and exalted Jesus Christ?
Peter reminds his audience of their glorious inheritance and that experiencing trials will prove faith which is of greater worth than gold.
Ever heard of the theological concept of “nous”? I decided to write a few lines about it.
Here is an overview of scriptures that mention speaking in tongues with a very brief account of the beginning of the Pentecostal Movement which began in 1900. And I describe my personal experience with xenoglossia.
In this article, I give a theological & biblical overview of being filled with the Spirit, as well as my personal experience of being filled with the Spirit.
Ultimately, there is only one sin that really matters as far as salvation and eternal life is concerned.
Jesus and Paul both spoke about rewards for those who faithfully serve God and his people. What we are doing now has a direct bearing on our future, eternal life.
The creed Paul quotes in Philippians 2:6-11 expresses the depths of humiliation Jesus Christ endured as well as his ultimate exaltation which results in glorious cosmic and universal worship.
What is the righteousness that comes from God? What does it mean to be justified? What does it mean to be reconciled with God?
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© 2022 Marg Mowczko