Advent vs. Christmas This year, 2024, Christmas and Hanukkah fell on the same calendar day. (Except, of course, for Eastern Christians who celebrate Christmas somewhat later.) Many Jews celebrate December 25 every year—as a “Winter Holiday.” But they would not identify Hanukkah and Christmas—even this year. Although they fell on the same day, they were two distinct holidays. I suggest that serious Christians make a similar mental shift about December 25 and the season leading up to it. We celebrate... Read more

The Eternity and Immutability of God according to Hermann Cremer in The Christian Doctrine of the Divine Attributes, 4:4, pp. 76-81 Kudos to those who are continuing reading this book with me! For those who have not read these pages, please do not comment. You may, however, ask a question. In about a week I will comment here on 5: The Unity of the Divine Attributes, or the Glory of God, pp. 82-84 and wrap up discussion of this book.... Read more

I’ve been actively involved in evangelicalism and especially the evangelical academy (scholarly community) for over thirty years now and I’ve noticed a bad habit among conservative evangelical biblical scholars and theologians. They seem addicted to inquisitions. It happened to me again, just today. An e-mail from “friends” (an evangelical organization I allegedly belonged to) informing me that I was under investigation (not their words, but clearly their intent) for possibly being in conflict with the organization’s statement of faith. I... Read more

God’s Omnipresence According to Hermann Cremer: The Christian Doctrine of the Attributes of God, Part 4: Divine Attributes Implicit in the Concept of God, Seen in the Light of Revelation, 2: The Omnipresence of God (pp. 61-69) If you are reading with me, and have read this section of the book, feel free to comment. If not, feel free to ask a question. In about a week I will address 3: The Omniscience of God. In this section, Cremer continues... Read more

God’s Omniscience According to Hermann Cremer Here are my thoughts about Hermann Cremer’s thoughts about God’s omniscience as spelled out in the book The Christian Doctrine of God’s Attributes: Part 4: Second Series: 3: The Omniscience of God (pp. 69-75). If you have read these pages, feel free to comment. If not, feel free to ask a question. In about a week I will comment on 4: The Eternity and Immutability of God (pp. 76=81). I approached this section of... Read more

Deus Vult! ? What Does It Mean Now? ”Deus Vult!” The historic motto and cry of the European crusades of the eleventh and twelfth centuries—against the Muslims of the Middle East, especially Palestine. Of course, it means “God wills it!” However, today, in the third decade of the twenty-first century, it is coming to have a specific cultural meaning as a meme and motto of “Christian reconstructionists.” Trump nominee Pete Hegseth, among others, touts the motto—in his case with a... Read more

Confessions of a Christian Humanist and a Call for a Renewal of Christian Humanism I confess it. I’m a Christian humanist. Some years ago I saw an article in a fundamentalist denomination’s magazine entitled “Are You a Christian Humanist?” Having long considered myself one, and thinking most fundamentalist Christians probably aren’t, I began reading the article with interest. The author, a pastor, defined “Christian humanist” as a person who (among other things) watches TV more than reads the Bible. Needless... Read more

Reflections on Hermann Cremer, The Christian Doctrine of the Divine Attributes, Chapter 4: Second Series: Divine Attributes Implicit in the Concept of God, Seen in the Light of Revelation: I. The Omnipotence of God (pp. 55-61) If you have read this section, feel free to comment. If you have not, you may ask a question. Here I continue the discussion of Hermann Cremer’s book about the divine attributes. Here are my thoughts about his treatment of “The Omnipotence of God.... Read more

Who Is a “Real Christian?” Several times recently I’ve mentioned “real Christians” here. A few visitors and commenters have objected to the concept. How is it possible to discriminate between “real Christians” and, well, false Christians? If we start at the other end, so to speak, and talk about “false Christians,” it’s easier to understand why it’s necessary to speak about real Christians. Who can doubt there have been and are false Christians? I confess that this habit of distinguishing... Read more