In a recent discussion about the validity of Trinitarian theology there was some questions about the use of the term “Son of God” as applied to Jesus. Some have argued that (1) the Son of God can’t technically be part of the Godhead since the Son is the physical manifestation of the Word. The basic argument is that “Son of God” is temporal language (like Jesus) which can only come into proper usage when the Son is born (Luke 1:35-this one will be called the Son of God). Others argued that (2) “Son of God” is an ambiguous term completely interchangeable with “Jesus Christ” and “The Word of God”. Yet others argue that (3) the term “Son of God” has been imbued with new (and exegetically unsound) theological meaning by the New Testament writers.
Starting with their own presuppositions they each make some solid points but I would argue that contra (1) the term refers to something with intent that can only be realized with a preexistent Sonship; contra (2) the term has specific meaning; and contra (3) the terminology’s usage has been properly realized by the New Testament authors.
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Tags: israel, jesus, messiah, son of God
Posted in christ, the father, trinity | Comments (0)
I figured I should write something about the recent discovery of the Gabriel Tablet as they’re calling it.
New York Times asserts that this tablet might actually prove that Christianity isn’t unique with its resurrections claims. What I found interesting about that bit is that most informed Christians don’t make a point of arguing about the uniqueness of the death and resurrection but rather the historicity of the death and resurrection. Let me flesh that out a bit.
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Tags: Gabriel Tablet, historicity, resurrection
Posted in apologetics, current affairs | Comments (6)
Some have blurred the lines with the notion of earthly war and the concept of Biblical principles. For example, some atheists and agnostics use the wars in the Bible to show that Christianity is just as cruel as any other belief system when empowered but I think those groups make a faulty conclusion just as much as Christians do who claim the side of justifying any given war.
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Tags: just war, war
Posted in apologetics, current affairs | Comments (0)
At times, we find that our logic has limits so we reach to our Bible and our Strong’s concordance and find exactly how our opponent falls short of what Scripture Is Actually Saying. Unfortunately we go and use Scripture in exactly the way it shouldn’t be used and find that even though we might technically be making a good point we’re using Scripture in a wrong way to support that point. So I’ve decided to put together a post that shows the wrong way to use Scripture and although I use specific examples these are indicative of the types of things folk do all the time:
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Tags: bible study, exegetical fallacies
Posted in apologetics, study | Comments (0)
For a more careful execution of this topic refer to my Romans series at The Bible Archive. My main point will be this: that the Gospel winds up being a practical help that can be used to cure any form of boasting evidenced in cynicism, pharisaicism and judgmentalism. To prove this, I’ll focus on Paul’s argumentation in Romans.
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Tags: cynicicm, gospel, judgmentalism, romans, selfishness
Posted in apologetics, romans | Comments (0)
Theologica is a Theological discussion forum started by
Michael Patton of
Reclaiming the Mind Ministries for the goal of having
irenic, open discussion on theological matters. But acceptance of that sort of thinking is slow in coming thus I’ve seen several things percolate on the board. Folk have their own pet theologies that they keep close by and whatever chance they get, it winds up on the table. Other folk have a single theology they abhor so every chance they get, they’re attacking it. But in all of this I’ve noticed that the way several folk go around attacking (or defending) is altogether off base. Here then is my list of argument mishaps that don’t prove your point-even if your point is technically right on.
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Tags: michael patton, theologica
Posted in apologetics | Comments (3)
As we grill or enjoy the sun or just sit down and do nothing, just remember to be grateful for the country we live in, the cost of the people who fought to ensure freedoms we enjoy today and look further back at a God who paid the ultimate price so that people could be eternally free. That’s the real memorial right there. Enjoy.
Tags: jesus christ, memorial day
Posted in personal, pray | Comments (0)
The
Christian Carnival is up at Parableman and he’s also looking for hosts for
upcoming Carnivals. I would love to do it again but I’ve been slammed with projects recently.
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)
I’ve tried to highlight
certain assumptions: (1) the Church is made up of people; (2)that the Church could only come about after certain historical requirements were in place; and (3) that the Church’s leadership is divine (in other words: God is the church’s leader). Following those assumptions (and an unmentioned
fourth) I progressed to
highlighting the Goal of the Church summed up in glorifying God by glorifying Christ. Such a broad definition leaves the most vague of us floating helplessly through a foamy sky of ambiguous vapor. Therefore, I want to spend some time looking at how that purpose is evidenced by the overarching Work of the Church.
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Tags: New Testament, redemptive history, the gospel, the holy spirit
Posted in christ, church, israel, spirit | Comments (0)
Steven Curtis Chapman’s daughter was killed Wednesday
night in an accident in their driveway. Video he filmed some time ago (which references the little girl who was killed
here with
lyrics here).
Tags: steven curtis chapman
Posted in current affairs | Comments (1)
Do me a favor, go to this
link and add yourself to the competition. In so doing, I get an extra submission my way and you get a chance to win as well. Of course, this will do nothing for you if you’re not particularly into theological books but that’s okay. You can send me a book as a “thank you” for kicking you to the competition.
It’s Another Tim Challies Crazy Monergism.Com Book Give-Away.
Tags: competition, monergism.com, tim challiesm
Posted in blogspotting, metas & memes | Comments (0)
With the tri-fold assumptions in place: (1) the Church is made up of people; (2)that the Church could only come about after certain historical requirements were in place; and (3) that the Church’s leadership is divine (in other words: God is the church’s leader), we can safely move on to the purpose, or goal, of the Church. An ambitious goal for one post but that’s what you can expect from a probable-heretic.
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Tags: new testament church
Posted in church, israel, study | Comments (0)
“Wow, Saul really did Bad Stuff to David. Hunting him. Throwing a spear at him. Wanting to kill him.”
“Yes, Sy: Saul was a bad king. A very jealous man.”
“But at least, in the end he turned good and started telling everybody about Jesus.”
“What? No, Saul never did that, Sy.”
“But, Don’t you remember? Saul–he became Paul! And he preached about God.”
Tags: kids, paul, saul
Posted in jokes | Comments (0)
Why even have assumptions anyway? I mean, why can’t I simply study The Church without any assumptions whatsoever, like a theological tabula rasa?
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Tags: assumptions, logic, new testament church
Posted in Uncategorized, church, study | Comments (2)
In my
last post there was an assumption which I didn’t bother bringing attention to but which colored the entire post. That being that New Testament Principles in the Church is a worthy stake to claim. With two thousand years of Church history that sort of assumption should raise a couple of serious questions.
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