Tag Archives: truth

Salvation: More than a ticket to Heaven?

When someone says, “I’m Saved!” There is always the contextual question, “Saved from what?” Except if its said at Church. Within Christianity Salvation has become synonymous with Eternal Life. Yet, should Salvation always mean being rescued to Heaven? Continue reading

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What did Jesus’ death accomplish?

1. Propitiation: Jesus died and took God’s wrath stored up for us because of our sin. 2. Expiation: Jesus died to cleanse us. 3. Sacrifice: Jesus died as our sacrifice for sin before God. 4. Victor: Jesus died to crush … Continue reading

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Christianity compared to other Religions

    Religion: Man pursues “god.” Christianity: God pursues man.   Religion: Man tries to appease “god” by doing good. Christianity: God sacrifices himself for man, to reconcile the relationship, because man is sinful.   Religion: If man works hard … Continue reading

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Sexual orientation: a celebration of diversity or a display of sin?

Could sexual orientation be a God created human distinction like skin color or being born left handed?

…God layered creation with diversity and color. God imprinted on the framework of creation the ability to reproduce in its kind. Yet, no flower, or fingerprint are the same. This is the mystery and majesty of creation. The act of reproduction is not to form a mere copy but to produce a completely new and diverse life in the image of the creator. Continue reading

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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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Spiritual Milk? Do you get enough? Has it changed?

Some of the items on this list are understandable as “milk.” Repentance and faith in God are the introductory elements to the Christian life. However as one examines the other items on the list unanimous consent isn’t a given. For some these points might be areas of contention between denominational communities. For many others there might a complete and genuine ignorance as to understanding of these issues. To this ladder point I write to address.

The Christian church has failed on many levels to educate its people. At one point Christians were at the forefront of community education. Yet our ranking has dropped. Many churches are “producing” dumb Christians. I am not an advocate that every Christian needs a seminary education. However, I do believe that the community of believers need to taught more than many of them get in the Sunday morning situational/behavioral sermon. Our lives are shaped and flow out of our understanding of who God is. If our view of God is shallow than our lives are build on a shallow footing and any powerful event may have the ability to shake us from beliefs.

It also seems as though this list has shifted today from what it was. The elementary teachings of the church ages past are not consistent with the elementary teachings of the church modern. I have debated my self, wondering if this is due to contextualization or if there is a misrepresentation of what truly is an “elementary teaching.”

Two of the most common substitutions on this list are the teaching of Creation, and the Rapture. In many circles these have become the benchmark doctrines for new believers. Evolution is only equaled by some to Satanism, and the teaching of the resurrection of dead has been surpassed by the Hollywood images of floating in clouds in some mysterious Rapture.

I want to hear your opinion on the issue. Think back for me what was the most common and frequent teaching you remember or hear to this day in church? Continue reading

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Righteousness not camouflage.

Christ blood is not some divine act of camouflage so that we can continue to sin unpunished. Continue reading

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Wonderful cross or place of death?

We often sing of the wonderful beautiful cross. And because our mind cannot handle the intensity or cruelty of the cross we grow numb to the brutality of the cross. Yet, we have to remember the cross was torture leading to death. Jesus experienced pain at the highest levels of the human experience. Continue reading

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God and Pain

I think there are two ways of dealing with pain and God. And both of them are not healthy.

First, let me start my explaining the way I deal with pain and God… Continue reading

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