Tag Archives: contradiction
A Protestant Debate: Luther & Zwingli
As the Protestant Reformation grew it quickly splintered creating many different subdivisions and groups. Martin Luther was one of the key figures of the Protestant Reformation. Most would even attribute its origins to his 95 Thesis of protest against the … Continue reading
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A Protestant Debate: Calvin & Arminius
It may be hard to determine whether one’s worldview shapes ones faith, or if ones faith shapes one’s worldview. The spiritualist might hope that faith is the force that develops ones worldview, leading and guiding the adherent to view the … Continue reading
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Speaking of the Trinity
The trinity is something unique to Christian thought. It is one of the great mysteries of God. In this doctrine alone, one can see how truly transcendent God is from our way of thinking. Roger E. Olson and Christopher A. Hall write in their book, The Trinity, “According to the Church Father Augustine anyone who denies the Trinity is in danger of losing their salvation, but anyone who tries to understand the Trinity is in danger of losing their mind (pg 1).”
The assertion that the doctrine of the Trinity is core to receiving Salvation seems hard to swallow. However, as one begins to look at the development of the Doctrine of the Trinity, it becomes clear why the Church placed such a strong emphasis on clarifying this divine mystery represented in Scripture.
The doctrine of the Trinity was developed as an apologetic against the many forms of heresy arising in the Church. The basic problem the doctrine tried to address was the tension between monotheistic worship one God, the Father, with the New Testament president that Jesus was worthy of worship as well. The doctrine of the Trinity really tried to answer how it was that Jesus was “one with the Father?” Was he one in essence or substance, or was Jesus some kind of divine “offspring” which leached a part of the Fathers being when he was created, or was he a separate deity? Continue reading
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The Existence of Demons Revisited
This post is a follow up to a post I had written in January, “So what’s is the reality of Satan, demons, and the spiritual world? Truth or Fiction?”
The major dilemma I discussed in the existence of demons is there purpose. Traditionally it has been taught that demons temp mankind to sin. However, this contradicts Scripture. For it’s written, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed (James 1:14).” Therefore if man’s lust and pride is the root of sin, what then is the purpose of demons?
Yet, after spending time reflecting on this issue and talking with others I feel I have come a suitable answer. Continue reading
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The problem of God & the existence of evil.
How can God and evil coexsits? Did God create evil? If he did how could he be all-good? If he didn’t how could God be all-powerful? Continue reading
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Did Jesus really say we are all Gods?
Summarizing the above commentary Jesus is quoting from Psalm 82:6 in which the Judges of the Nation of Israel are called “gods.” There are called gods because they received the word of God and are accountable to be God’s judges here on Earth according to that information. They are to be the Gods/rulers according to Gods word given to them. At that time they were in a sense God’s gods/rulers on earth. They were God’s agents of authority here on this Earth because they had the Scripture. And in this way it is not referring to “Gods” as figure of divinity or Godhood, but as a ruler or an authority. The interesting part is that Jesus almost uses this in a mocking fashion because those who were called “gods” as the commentators writes were being condemned for “not exercising their responsibility faithfully.” So Jesus, who is being accused of blasphemy because of his “good” or “god-like” works, turns the table on the Pharisees who were the keepers of the Law, and asks, “Are you not Gods?” Meaning, are you not also supposed to be keeping and ruling according to the Law? Are you not also not also supposed to be faithful to the Law you who received it from God?
Then Jesus in his following words defends that he is indeed different than those who had merely received the Law. He says that he has been set apart by God and sent into the World by God. He is the fulfillment of the Law, he is God, and that his works display this.
So to use this passage to support this idea that we are all “gods,” is perversion of Scripture. Furthermore, it is an ironic perversion of Scripture because this passage is a condemnation against all who have received the word yet are not living faithfully to its standards. The law of God which they were to be Judging with was condemning them. So Jesus is saying to the Pharisees that we are the “gods” or rulers of the Scripture God has given man, and yet you fail to live it out. This is why God has set me apart and sent me into the World.
The conclusion is that it points to man’s great need for a savior, because even though we have the law, man is unable to obtain righteousness. Continue reading →
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