Introduction Once the massive difficulties of persecution were history with the coming of the Christian emperors, the concentration of Christianity turned to defining and defending Christ and the Trinity. The first issues came in addressing Christ’s relationship with the Father, this controversy touched on the divinity of Jesus; however, in Read more…
Introduction The early church was a period of great changes and God raised up great leaders for this time. The bishops were the men who took point and, often at the cost of their own lives, aimed the church into the future. The issues that had to be dealt Read more…
Introduction The word Torah or Law is best understood as “instruction” or “teaching.”[1] The book of Numbers stands right in the middle of the transition from Sinai and, through the 40 years, into the promised land. It begins with instructions for Israel that are to keep them separate from the Read more…
Introduction John is often referred to as the evangelist. This is because, in the literature attributed to him, he states quite directly that his purpose in writing was “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ.”[1] John writes with Greek words, however, those words are crafted in a Read more…
Model for Christian Discipleship Three times in Mark Jesus prepares his disciples for his upcoming victory against the enemy and in each case, they seem reluctant to see what he “taught”[1] them. In Mark 8:31 Jesus uses the word δεῖ (translated must in the ESV) in relation to his mission Read more…
Introduction Matthew is the Jewish gospel writer. Throughout his gospel, Matthew is concerned with showing Jesus as the Jewish Messiah. To convince his audience of the validity of the claim that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah, Matthew pays close attention to the teaching of Jesus and juxtaposes them with the Read more…
Pietism cannot really be understood without taking into account the impact of the writings of the Puritans. In the center of both the Puritan and pietist movements is an emphasis on holiness and a personal rebirth. These ideas of personal application are not a denial of the Reformation. Calvin talking Read more…
Social Engagement Between Evangelicalism and Liberalism The difference between Evangelical and Liberal social engagement is best summed up by looking at intent or authority. Both groups intend to make an impact in the world. The Evangelicals wanted to call people to join the orthodox Christian position without compromising that position. Read more…
What people wanted to know changed. The Renaissance signified the start of the shift from “the collective dreamlike life of medieval Christianity”[1] to the fully Enlightenment rejection of the validity of relational authority. The word Renaissance means rebirth and it is used to explain a remarkable renewal of interest in Read more…
What’s the same? When talking about the differences in Protestantism, it is also important to notice the similarities. All Protestants express a belief in the doctrine of justification by faith alone. That word alone is what sets Protestants apart from Roman Catholics at the most fundamental levels. No matter if Read more…