Keeping the Slaughter of Canaan in Context

Are the conquest narratives in the Old Testament any different from what we are currently viewing with ISIS throughout the Middle East and Europe? Questions like this often come up in discussing the existence of objective moral values and duties and their proper grounding. When God is posited as the grounding of morality, the objector usually brings up some obscure OT text that he or she thinks will demonstrate that God has a warped sense of morality and it is usually in this context that the conquest narratives are brought up.

Divine Foreknowledge and Human Freedom: Are They Mutually Exclusive

In Scripture, we are told that nothing escapes his (God’s) gaze (Psalm 33:13-15). Entire nations are like clay in the hand of a potter (Jer 18:1-6). God possessing omniscience has a complete and infinitely detailed knowledge of this world; he knows its history, present state, and the entirety of its future. God has complete control over this world (omnipotence). God, being omnibenevolent has an exhaustive plan, which exhibits his moral perfection and love for his creation. Thus, God lovingly directs all events and creatures to the end he has predetermined for them.This begs the question: If God foreknows what I will do, then how in any real sense of the word am I free?

Ecclesiastes Explained: Unraveling the Negative Connotations.

The book of Ecclesiastes is perhaps the most undervalued book in the canon of Scripture. Sadly, Laymen, pastors, and even some scholars fail to understand its contents. It is also a common misconception among Christians today that Ecclesiastes contains contradictions and Agnostic sentiments. It is these dogmatic and unverified beliefs that cause doubts in its canonicity. Others posit that it is the work of later editors.

God, Time, and Middle Knowledge

Eternity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Psalm 90.2 (NASB95)

Before the mountains were born

Or You gave birth to the earth and the world,

Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.

 

If God exists necessarily, it is impossible that he does not exist. He cannot come into being. Thus, God exists permanently. The question then remains as to what manner could he exist permanently? There are two possible answers. He could exist omnitemporally throughout infinite time or God could exist timelessly. In the latter case God would transcend time and have no temporal whereabouts.

Making Sense of the Sequence of Events in 1 Corinthians 15:23-28

1 Corinthians 15:23-28. In 15:23 Paul indicates the sequence of resurrection; “But each in his own order (Ἕκαστος δὲ ἐν τῷ ἰδίῳ τάγματι): Christ the first fruits (ἀπαρχὴ Χριστός), after that those who are Christ’s at His coming (ἔπειτα οἱ τοῦ χριστοῦ ἐν τῇ παρουσίᾳ αὐτοῦ).”^[1] It is clear that Paul is indicating a sequence by his use of the term “order, τάγμα,” which denotes rank in the “economy of resurrection.”^[2]

A Quick Note on the Parousia of Christ.

The Below is an excerpt from my Thesis currently in work and as such is copyrighted material.

1 Thess. 2.19. F.F. Bruce comments, “This is the earliest occurrence in literature of παρουσια in its distinctive Christian sense of the advent of Christ in glory.”[1] In this passage, Paul considers his spiritual children as his joy (χαρά) or crown (στέφανος).[2] The Thessalonian community came to faith as a result of Paul’s ministry and as such he considers them his crown, because at the parousia, he would be rewarded for his efforts in bringing them to faith. Hence, judgment was expected at Christ’s parousia.

Pharaoh of the Exodus

Who was the Pharaoh of the Exodus? Many have attempted to answer this question throughout the years and it is the goal of this research to also attempt an answer to one of the most eluding questions surrounding this period in time. There are several theories pertaining to whom this pharaoh could have been and each has compelling evidence in their favor.

Jesus Deserves an Academy Award, If He Wasn’t God

WHO WAS JESUS

Jesus is the most debated person in history, and also the most controversial. On the one hand he healed the sick, paralytic, blind, fed thousands, rescued a prostitute, and many other amazing things. On the other hand he was highly controversial to Jewish and Roman authorities. He was unlike any religious leader before him or since.