(originally 1998; slightly revised on 2-2-16) Photo credit: St. Paul Preaching in Athens (1515), by Raphael (1483-1520) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] Re-uploaded under the title, Homosexual Sex and St. Paul’s “Nature” Argument. *** Read more
(originally 1998; slightly revised on 2-2-16) Photo credit: St. Paul Preaching in Athens (1515), by Raphael (1483-1520) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] Re-uploaded under the title, Homosexual Sex and St. Paul’s “Nature” Argument. *** Read more
(vs. C. Jack Elliott) Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman, in the film, Notorious (1946) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] * * * * * This article has been re-uploaded under the title, “Is Premarital Sex Morally Wrong? Why? (A Dialogue)”. ***** Read more
(vs. Scott Nemeth) Image by “Belleza87” [public domain / Pixabay] * * * This paper has been re-uploaded under the title, “Does St. Paul Sanction Premarital Sex (1 Cor 7:36)?” *** Read more
. . . as Late as 1521 Posthumous Portrait of Martin Luther as an Augustinian Monk (after 1546), from the workshop of Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1553) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] * * * (10-4-11) * * I just discovered this today, and can’t believe that I have missed it all these years. It comes from Works of Martin Luther, Vol. III (Philadelphia: A. J. Holman Company and The Castle Press, 1930 / reprinted by Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House,... Read more
. . . Now and Always (Including Liturgical Discussion) Image by “angelac72” [public domain / Pixabay] * * * (7-22-11)* * * The following remarks of mine were compiled from a recent fruitful Facebook thread (with a few more from another thread, below the five asterisks). Here are the two paragraphs that kicked off the two threads: THE GOOD OL’ DAYS “Traditionalists” maintain that a Catholic born, say, in 1943, knows all about how wonderful the Church used to be, whereas now it... Read more
Photograph by “delphinmedia” [public domain / Pixabay] * * * * * Some Calvinist, hyper-fundamentalists, and Church of Christ denominations do not allow any music in church. The following passages (RSV) show that music in church is certainly conceivable and harmonious with Scripture, and sometimes specifically mentioned as occurring (presumably) in church in conjunction with worship and praise: Romans 15:5-9 May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, [6]... Read more
Image by “ArtsyBee” [public domain / Pixabay] * * * Atheist J. Gravelle responded to my post, Bible on Participation in Our Own Salvation, and we had the following intellectually stimulating exchange (his words in blue): * * * * * So my choices would appear to be: an eternity of fire and brimstone, or an eternity spent listening to the likes of our friend Mr. Armstrong tell me “I told you so”. It doesn’t appear so much then that... Read more
Defending sola Scriptura is rather like a dog chasing his tail. Either he never catches it, or if he does, it hurts and is not nearly as much fun or fulfilling as he thought it would be. Photo by “Lil Shepherd”: 16 May 2012 [Flickr / CC BY 2.0 license] * * * Quick Ten-Step Refutation of Sola Scriptura is a paper of mine from 2003. I recently posted it in a large Facebook theological group. A Protestant named Milan... Read more
Finish line for a marathon race in Eugene, Oregon. Photo by Michael McCullough, 1 May 2011 [Flickr / CC BY 2.0 license] * * * * * This came about in a closed Facebook theological group, where I had posted my paper, The Bible on Participation in Our Own Salvation. One of the passages presented there (it’s simply a collection of Bible passages) is the following: Philippians 2:12-13 (RSV) Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only... Read more
. . . Always Enabled by God’s Grace St. Paul (c. 1468), by Marco Zoppo (1433-1478) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] * * * (1-3-10) * * * * * Acts 2:38-40 (RSV) And Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [39] For the promise is to you and to your children and to all... Read more
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