For many folks with a little exposure to church history, this is actually old news. Discussions of how to interpret the early chapters of Genesis are as old as Christianity. But since I’ve been reading through the major theologians of… Read More ›
Theology
Is the Church “Christ on Earth Today”?
Where can we see Jesus today? For many Christians, the answer is simple: We see him in and through his church. But then what about when the church behaves in horribly un-Christlike ways? When it abuses its power or neglects Christ’s commands? Are we to say that Christ himself was involved in doing evil? “Is Christ divided?”
What Lent is All About
Many Christians throughout the world who worship in historic branches of the Church participate in a special liturgical season during the forty days leading up to Easter. This forty-day period is known as the season of Lent. Since Easter is… Read More ›
What Does “Sacrament” Mean?
Some call them sacraments, while others prefer to say ordinances. In this week’s new video, I attempt to clear up confusion as to why different Christians use different terminology when referring to holy rites like Baptism and Communion, and briefly… Read More ›
Communion: The Most Important Part of a Church Service? (Video)
I have a new video up over on the blog’s sister YouTube channel. This time I’m sharing some reflections on the Lord’s Supper or Communion and why it is so crucial to Christian worship. Click below to watch:
Irenaeus’s Against Heresies, but Just the Best Parts!
Against Heresies is one of the most important extensive works of ancient Christian theology. But it’s also incredibly hard to read. Here’s a handy guide to all the sections you should skip to.
Early Church Fathers Profile: Saint Irenaeus of Lyons
Probably my favorite theologian of the early church, Irenaeus was a thinker captivated by the pursuit of truth about God. Here’s a quick rundown of his life and legacy, as well as the elements of his theology that most stand out to me.
The Earliest Church Fathers on Election and Predestination (Part Two: Apostolic Fathers)
Christians have long wrestled with the subject of how God’s plans and actions in salvation interact with human responsibility and choice. And it is common for proponents of any theological system to appeal to the writings of theologians from the… Read More ›
The Earliest Church Fathers’ Views on Election and Predestination (Part One: Clement of Rome)
One topic that’s of perennial interest to Christians is the question of how God’s role in saving people intersects with human choice. How does God’s sovereignty (or, more accurately, his providence) relate to human responsibility? The question arises because the… Read More ›
On the Supposed “Plain Meaning” of Scripture
I just picked up Christopher Bryan’s little book And God Spoke: The Authority of the Bible for the Church Today (Cowley, 2002), and in it he offers this excellent nugget of wisdom that I think many in the church need… Read More ›
Theology Pathfinder 