Who are the 144,000 and why are they all men?
Who are the 144,000 in Revelation 7 and 14? What do they symbolise? Are women really excluded from this group?
October 13, 2021
19 Comments
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Category: Christian Theology
12 Christian Theology Blogs that don’t Push Patriarchy
Here are 12 blogs on Christian theology and biblical studies written by evangelical scholars who don’t push a complementarian or patriarchal agenda.
February 4, 2021
9 Comments
Mary and the Women in Matthew’s Genealogy of Jesus
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?
December 12, 2020
15 Comments
Eternal Torment, Eternal Fire, Eternal Death?
In part two I look at Bible verses which mention the ideas of “eternal” and “fire” in regards to the future judgement. Do these verses speak of eternal conscious torment for unrepentant sinners?
July 19, 2016
34 Comments
Paul, James, and Jesus on Hell (Gehenna)
Paul never mentions Gehenna (“hell”) in his letters. James mentions it once. Jesus, on the other hand, mentions it several times. Is it a real place? Is it a place of torment for people?
July 17, 2016
71 Comments
Jesus, keep me near the cross
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.”
March 25, 2016
2 Comments
Is all sin equal in the eyes of God?
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?
October 22, 2015
3 Comments
Is Adam solely responsible for the first sin?
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?
August 9, 2015
32 Comments
The Virgin Mary Consoles Eve
I love this powerful image of Mary consoling Eve. Just look at their feet!
December 24, 2014
18 Comments
The Status of Christian Women, in a Nutshell
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?
October 14, 2014
26 Comments
7 Books on Christian Doctrine without a Complementarian Edge
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.
September 4, 2014
24 Comments
Separate Spheres & Distinct Roles in the Trinity & in Marriage? (John 5:18-30)
Does the Trinity model distinct roles and separate spheres? Is there hierarchy and subordination in the Divine?
July 10, 2014
18 Comments
Making Sense of the Transfiguration
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.
May 18, 2014
5 Comments
The Power of God’s Grace
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.
April 5, 2014
2 Comments
Blaming Eve Alone
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.”
January 23, 2014
23 Comments
Redemption and Family Responsibility: Boaz and Jesus
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.
January 22, 2014
1 Comment
Galatians 3:28: Our Identity in Christ & in the Church
Is Galatians 3:28 only referring to our identity and status before God? Or is it also about our identity and status in the Christian community (i.e. the church)?
December 12, 2013
3 Comments
The Passover Meal, the Seder, and the Eucharist
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.
June 29, 2013
2 Comments
The Kingdom of Heaven in the Here and Now and Future
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.
June 3, 2013
6 Comments
Is Jesus waiting for us?
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?
March 5, 2013
13 Comments
A Thrill of Hope: Jesus’ First and Second Advents
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?
December 24, 2012
6 Comments
The Righteous for the Unrighteous – 1 Peter 3:17-22
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.
October 12, 2012
5 Comments
Holiness: Sacred Separation?
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.
September 28, 2012
No Comments
Who is the “head”?
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.
August 11, 2012
7 Comments
Paul’s Main Point in Ephesians 5:22-33
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.
April 30, 2012
65 Comments
Jesus is no longer on a cross
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? [800 words]
April 9, 2012
20 Comments
An Eternal Fascination
Instead of spending my time trying to understand hell (Gehenna), I am still trying to get my head around some of the amazing realities of what it is to be a redeemed child of God.
March 28, 2012
2 Comments
Was Jesus Poor?
Was Jesus poor? A few verses in the Gospels indicate that Jesus was not as poor as I have previously been led to believe.
March 17, 2012
4 Comments
Peace on Earth
The Messiah, the promised Saviour, had come into the world. Here was good news for everyone (Luke 2:10). But was the declaration of “Peace on Earth” by the heavenly host for everyone? (Luke 2:14) Where is this peace?
December 26, 2011
1 Comment
Christmas Cardology 1: Introduction
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.
December 1, 2011
No Comments
Christmas Cardology 2: Mary’s Scandal and Favour
Cosy images on Christmas cards contrast with Mary’s potentially scandalous and risky situation of being pregnant and unmarried. How scandalous was it?
December 1, 2011
14 Comments
Christmas Cardology 3: Nazareth to Bethlehem
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.
December 1, 2011
8 Comments
Christmas Cardology 4: Was Jesus born in a barn?
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?
December 1, 2011
12 Comments
Christmas Cardology 5: When was Jesus born?
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?
December 1, 2011
10 Comments
Christmas Cardology 6: The Virgin Mary
Most religious art portrays Mary as serene, shy, and even sombre. Are they accurate portrayals? Does the Bible teach that Mary remained a virgin?
December 1, 2011
7 Comments
Christmas Cardology 7: The Wise Men from the East
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.
December 1, 2011
6 Comments
The Trinity and Marriage
Here are 4 reasons why I’m staying out of gender discussions that use the Trinity as a model for marriage.
October 28, 2011
23 Comments
Precious Redemption – 1 Peter 1:17-21
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.
September 23, 2011
No Comments
Is God Male or Masculine?
God is typically referred to in the Bible with masculine pronouns such as “he,” and with masculine terms such as “father.” Does this language mean that God is male or masculine?
June 22, 2011
40 Comments
At the Foot of the Cross?
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?
June 14, 2011
11 Comments
Glory, Joy, and Suffering – 1 Peter 1:4-9
Peter reminds his audience of their glorious inheritance and that experiencing trials will prove faith which is of greater worth than gold.
May 14, 2011
No Comments
“Nous”: Using your Spiritual Noggin
Ever heard of the theological concept of “nous”? I decided to write a few lines about it.
April 19, 2011
2 Comments
Speaking in Tongues and Xenoglossia
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.
March 30, 2011
17 Comments
Being Filled with the Spirit
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.
February 5, 2011
6 Comments
Unbelief: The Ultimate Sin
Ultimately, there is only one sin that really matters as far as salvation and eternal life is concerned.
October 1, 2010
3 Comments
Rewards
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.
August 1, 2010
No Comments
The Creed (Hymn) of Philippians 2:6-11
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.
May 1, 2010
6 Comments
Righteousness and Justification – Philippians 3:9
What is the righteousness that comes from God? What does it mean to be justified? What does it mean to be reconciled with God?
May 1, 2010
2 Comments
Instant Christianity?
When we entrust our lives to Jesus, our eternal life begins. Our salvation is a done deal, or so it would seem. Is it really a case of instant christianity?
March 26, 2010
6 Comments
Saving Faith in Action: James 2:14-26
This essay takes a close look at James 2:14-26 and explores the link between genuine Christian faith and compassionate, ethical deeds.
March 22, 2010
2 Comments
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