When it comes to the Bible, you have to decide whether or not you believe that God wrote the Bible and people helped, or that we wrote the Bible and God helped, sometimes. Growing up I was told that God wrote the Bible and people helped. This view was reinforced by pastors who held up that book and called it “The Word of God”, even though it was quite obviously the words of Moses, and Joshua, and David and Jeremiah,... Read more
For those who embrace the doctrine of Penal Substitutionary Atonement Theory [PSA], the Gospel message seems to hinge upon the need for Jesus to be rejected. In fact, they believe that Jesus NEEDED to die and, in fact, if Jesus didn’t die on the cross then no one would have been forgiven of their sins. But, let’s take a step back for a moment and consider what would have happened if Jesus wasn’t rejected. What if when Jesus told everyone... Read more
When Jesus began his ministry in Jerusalem, the overwhelming tone in the land was unrest. His people were living in occupied territory. The Romans ruled over them. They were desperate for a Messiah to come and liberate them from this oppressive domination and re-establish the Kingdom of God [as they understood it] in Jerusalem. In the years prior to the coming of Jesus, there were numerous wannabe Messiahs who gathered disciples, armed them and attempted to lead a rebellion... Read more
The other day I was reflecting on how the Psalmists complain to God about the prosperity of the wicked. I understood how it must have felt for the Israelites to see their enemies – who were pagans – flourishing and growing strong and wealthy, while they – the “People of God” – were suffering, poor, weak and downcast. Anyone would question this outcome under the same circumstances. Anyone would wonder what good it was to follow their faith if... Read more
I was raised to believe that God would roast sinners forever in an endless torture chamber called “Hell.” Maybe you were, too? The irony is, I did not come to faith in Christ out of fear. I genuinely had a curiousity about God from an early age. I talked with God as I lay in my bed before going to sleep. I thought about God and asked questions about God before anyone in my family was officially “Christian.” It was... Read more
In my book “Jesus Undefeated” evidence is provided that – from the very beginning of Christianity – there have always been 3 different views of Hell; all based on Biblical evidence and supported by Scriptures. Those 3 views were (and are): *Annihiliation *Eternal Torment *Universal Reconciliation Throughout the book I take great pains to explore all 3 views and to demonstrate that each was held by various early Church Fathers over the centuries. I also take time to explore each... Read more
Last week I got a private message from someone I’ve known for a few years. He told me I was a false teacher and said he was praying that I would repent of preaching a false Gospel. Not that he was willing to dialog with me about what the Gospel actually was, or to read a free copy of my book to find out what I actually believe about the topics he was offended about. It was just easier to... Read more
When it comes to the doctrine of Hell, most American Christians know next to nothing about the origins of their own view [Eternal Torment] and even less about other perspectives on the topic. Here are 7 things that every American Christian needs to know about the doctrine of Hell 1- There have always been 3 “Biblical” Christian views of Hell. It’s true. Those 3 views are: Universal Reconciliation, Annihilation and Eternal Torment. Note this reference in the New Schaff-Herzog Christian... Read more
Sometimes the simplicity of Jesus gets lost in the quagmire of today’s Christian Theology and it’s helpful to stop and ask ourselves some fundamental questions, like: “Is Jesus right about who God is?” “Is Jesus Right About Who We Are?” “Is Jesus Right About Our Fundamental Problems?” “Is Jesus Right About The Solutions To Our Biggest Problems?” Let’s take some time to examine these, shall we? Who Is God? According To Jesus, God is: *Not Wrathful *Always Loving *Quick to... Read more
A few days ago my wife and I watched a little film on Netflix called “A Silent Voice” at the insistence of our youngest son. The recommendation was well-deserved and in fact it inspired me to ask a few profound questions afterwards. The story follows a group of Junior High Students who all struggle for identity and meaning in their lives. They each deal with their doubts about self-worth and respond in different ways. Some sacrifice their identity to... Read more
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