“Seeing therefore that the Law condemneth them that sin and decreeth sometimes the uttermost punishment to them that disregard it, and in no wise pitieth, how was not the manifestation to them on earth of a Compassionate and truly Merciful High Priest necessary? Of One who should made the curse to cease, should stop the condemnation and free sinners with forgiving grace and with the bending of clememcy? For I (He says) am He that blotteth out thy transgressions and will... Read more
“Pastor, what does Scripture mean when it says ‘If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them’?”“Well, don’t trust the English translations. If you knew Greek you would know that what it really means is ‘If you tell people the Gospel, it is in light of the fact that God has already forgiven their sins.'”“Pastor, what does Scripture mean when it says ‘Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins?”“In Greek... Read more
Augustine is undoubtedly the most prolific and influential writer in the history of the Western church. He is one theologian who Roman Catholics, Lutherans, and Calvinists alike cite as a primary influence on their varied theological traditions. Because of this fact, treatments of Augustine since the Reformation have often taken on a polemical tone, trying to place him into whatever theological framework one holds to. In this way, Augustine’s ecumenical appeal has been both his greatest asset and the greatest... Read more
The book I am currently working on is an evaluation of the Eastern Orthodox doctrine of theosis from a Lutheran perspective. I make the argument that Lutherans can and should adopt a teaching of theosis, as it is taught in the fathers, Luther’s writings, and our Confessions. The language may make us, as Lutherans, somewhat uneasy, but whatever terminology is utilized, the concept is one that is Biblical and catholic. Theosis is defined by Norman Russel as “our restoration as persons... Read more
Michael J. Gorman’s work Inhabiting the Cruciform God: Kenosis, Justification, and Theosis in Paul’s Narrative Soteriology, is one in a number of works seeking to reinterpret Paul’s theology. Rather than defending traditional Pauline interpretation, or getting on the New Perspective bandwagon, Gorman offers a proposal that transcends other interpretive grids.For Gorman, the center of Pauline thought is not to be found in forensic justification (Luther), nor is it to be found in the concept of covenant community (Wright). Rather, “theosis is... Read more
The most comprehensive critique of the Finnish school of Luther interpretation available in English is the volume of William Schumacher titled, Who Do I Say That You Are? Anthropology and the Theology of Theosis in the Finnish School of Tuomo Mannermaa. Arguing from an anthropological perspective, Schumacher argues that the Finnish school has misinterpreted Luther’s theology, replacing Luther’s theology of the word with an ontologically focused approach to the human person. For Schumacher’s Luther it is God’s word of address to... Read more
Responding to arguments against Biblical sexuality. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4Claim: The Bible defines marriage as one-man-many-women, one man many wives and concubines, a rapist and his victim, and conquering soldier & female prisoner of war. The argument made here is that the claim that marriage consists in a union of one man and one woman is false according to the Bible, because the Old Testament had different types of marriages displayed, such as polygamous marriage. Thus, marriage and Scripture is somewhat... Read more
When I published my article “A Lutheran Response to Justification: Five Views,” (which can be found here) I was suspected by some of being guilty of the teaching of Osiander, which was condemned by the Formula of Concord. This is due to my adherence to certain themes of the Finnish interpretation of Luther; namely, that Luther’s soteriology is participationist rather than purely juridical. I argued that justification is not a bare declaration wherein Christ’s righteousness is passed to the believer in the... Read more
It’s been a while since I have written on this, but I wanted to continue the series I began on common arguments against Biblical sexuality. I have been responding to this image. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3Claim: That was when the earth wasn’t populated. There are now 6.79 billion people. Breeding clearly isn’t an issue anymore!This claim is made in response to the statement that “God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.” It is purported by the pro-homosexual interlocutor that this creational... Read more
“For a Christ who died for sinners who, after receiving forgiveness, will not quit their sin nor lead a new life, is worthless and does not exist…. There is nothing in their preaching concerning sanctification of the Holy Ghost and about being quickened into a new life. They preach only about the redemption of Christ. It is proper to extol Christ in our preaching; but Christ is the Christ and has acquired redemption from sin and death for this very... Read more
Just and Sinner
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