*Note: this is part I of a two-part series I am doing on atonement theology. Some of the content will be included in my forthcoming book entitled Heretic! An LGBTQ-Affirming, Divine-Violence Denying Christian Universalist’s Replies to Some of Evangelical Christianity’s Most Pressing Concerns. “We are saved from God! And more precisely, we are sparred [sic] the wrath of God . . . Without your trusting in Christ, the wrath of God that was placed on Jesus will then be... Read more
“Both Jesus and Paul quote the Old Testament, therefore they affirm all of it,” or so says a whole host of Christians. But is this true? Not likely. Sure, both men had a high view of Scripture, were adept students of it, and, on numerous occasions, taught directly from it. Indeed, much of what they had to say came from the Jewish Scriptures. But, that doesn’t mean that every theological claim made in the Old Testament is something either affirmed.... Read more
*Note, this is a guest piece by Mark Karris. He is an ordained pastor, licensed marriage and family therapist, speaker, musician, adjunct professor, and all around biophilic. He is the author of Season of Heartbreak: Healing for the Heart, Brain, and Soul (Kregel, 2017). He and his family live in San Diego, California. Visit him at ConspiringPrayer.com. Many of you won’t know me, so let me introduce myself. I am a therapist, ordained pastor, husband, father, adjunct professor, and the... Read more
I would like to take a moment to present a biblical case for the doctrine of the Rapture. Here it is, in full: Read more
*Note, this is a guest piece by Charles Watson, author of Hell in a Nutshell, available now from Wipf & Stock Publishers. You can read my review of this book here. Christians are usually caught off-guard when they are first introduced to the doctrine of Universal Reconciliation (UR). Since it challenges their understanding of the Atonement, many have become defensive of their model of Christianity. Since Scripture states that the wages of sin is death and that the second death... Read more
*Note: This is a guest post by Amanda Iosa. Amanda is an artist and writer who is passionate about proclaiming humanity’s true identity as the image and likeness of God. Her background is in cultural anthropology, and she brings that awareness and expertise into her writing and worldview. Her first published work will be released in 2018—a powerful children’s story about our divine origins and truth worth—which she co-authored and is illustrating. You can find more of her work at... Read more
Christians have a tendency to say some pretty lame things. That doesn’t mean non-Christians are exempt from this, but as a Christian myself, I feel that if I am going to offer critique, it should, first and foremost, be to my fellow brothers and sisters (and those who are non-binary) in the faith. Sorry, but not sorry. That said, while the great majority of these folks probably have the best of intentions when they draw deeply from the well of... Read more
I spent roughly 25 years in the Evangelical church; 12 of them in some form of leadership. Needless to say, because of this upbringing, I knew my doctrines. And I knew them well. I knew what the correct worldview was supposed to be and always had an answer for why I believed what I believed (or, at least I pretended to). And I knew how to back it up with the Bible (again, or I pretended to). Until I didn’t.... Read more
The satan literally means “the accuser.” Considering Jesus labelled the satan a liar and a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44), one could expand on this a bit and describe the satan as a slanderer. Other definitions include, but are probably not limited to, “the adversary,” “the tempter,” “the executioner,” and even “God’s prosecuting attorney.” Nevertheless, it is primarily a role or a function rather than a name or a person. I know, I know, that’s not what most of... Read more
For many, the new year is both a time of reflection as well as a time to ponder the future. Some make resolutions (yet fewer keep them), while others pass completely. I, on the other hand, would like to offer a prayer, one that I plan on reciting every morning in 2018. Feel free to make it your prayer as well. In every moment of this year, may I be open to receiving your grace. When I drift astray,... Read more
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