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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…
The Enlightenment represented a shift is man’s understanding of the purpose of life. The Enlightenment is a period between the rule of Christianity over Europe and the emergence of Modernism. It is usually excepted as the years 1680 to 1789.[1] Prior to the Enlightenment, the idea that there was something Read more…
Introduction Karl Barth said, “The fear of scholasticism is the mark of a false prophet.”[1] Scholasticism since the Reformation period has endured much criticism. However, much of this criticism ignores the crucial fact that the term scholastic in and of itself is only a method. Application is personal and Read more…
Introduction The Reformation represents a tremendous breach of social, economic, and political norms in its day. In doing so, it threw entire areas into chaos, indeed, most of Europe’s social, economic, and political structures were challenged by it. The Reformation happened at a time when the Renaissance, the new Read more…
Translation and Summary Translation Verse 1: Blessed is the man, not walks in the counsel of the wicked, in sinners way not stands, and in seat of scoffers not sits; Verse 2: rather[1], in the instruction of the LORD he delights and in that instruction he meditates day and night. Read more…