I think the best way to take questions of forgiveness is to begin by understanding the need for forgiveness. Forgiveness presupposes that two individuals have in the past had a relationship and that this relationship has been strained or broken. This principle holds true whether we talk of a relationship between humans or a relationship... Continue Reading →
If homosexuality was so prevalent of the time of Jesus Christ; do you think if he really thought it was a problem he would have addressed it himself?
The first thing to consider in this question is Jesus’ background. Though he lived in the larger Roman Empire where sexual morals were as lax as any in modern America, he also lived within a specific culture within the Roman world, Judaism, and that shaped him far more than Greco-Roman thought. First century Judaism had... Continue Reading →
In a world where there are so many different religions, how can you be sure you have chosen the right one?
I love the quote from the famous Christian thinker Origen of Alexandria, "[In] advanced matters of theology absolute confidence is possible only for two classes of people, saints and idiots." Meaning it is difficult to have complete certainty about God all of the time. The basic answer is, continue to ask questions to become a... Continue Reading →
Is religion a coping mechanism?
Well yes, religion (all religions) is a coping mechanism at least if we define coping mechanism as a tool to help us overcome the stress, trauma, and other disappointments of life. [Though I categorically reject the idea that says, “religion is a crutch for weak minded people who need strength in numbers” -Jesse Ventura]. But,... Continue Reading →
What makes one religion the right one?
Religions are worldviews. Each religion is making a claim to know how the world started and what meaning there is in the cosmos and how humans can fit into the picture. Religions are seeking to provide individuals with a pattern for living which allows them to harmonize with the order of creation. [at this point... Continue Reading →
When the judgement of Jesus did not happen in the generation of the first Christians, did the religion change as a result?
This question is based on a very specific reading of the New Testament favored by certain critical scholars. The reading goes like this: Passages in some of the earliest Christian documents (e.g. 1 Corinthians 7:29, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, James 5:8) talk of Jesus returning soon. Passages in later writings (e.g. Matthew 24-25, Mark 13) talk... Continue Reading →
You’re not thinking Fifth-dimensionally!
How many remember Professor Emmett Brown in Back to the Future repeatedly saying, “You’re just not thinking fourth-dimensionally.”, to a dumbfounded Marty McFly. I have spent my day working through the first chapter of 1 Peter, for Bible study. A quick confession, I never realized how much depth 1 Peter 1:1-12 contained. As I was... Continue Reading →
Do you believe personally that the ideals and characteristics of a Christian have changed dramatically?
In one sense I must answer no the ideals and characteristics of Christianity never change because they are making us like God who is consistent and not subject to character change. The essence of Christianity “Love God, love neighbor” is not something we as humans can meddle with. Christian doctrine is set and now we... Continue Reading →
How do we have so many branches of Christianity?
There are three basic reasons for the number of denominations today. The first is there have been some major Theological differences. Not every teaching in Christianity comes directly from the words of Jesus. (That statement would take a book to completely unpack). Because of this there are sometimes where there are major differences in how... Continue Reading →
How is Christianity so easily mistranslated?
At its heart Christianity is a mixture a written past and a living oral tradition. What this means is that our basis for faith is the belief that God has acted in human history in the past and is continuing to act in the present and on into the future. Now the past aspect of... Continue Reading →
