A lot of confusion has arisen over exactly what took place at the Council of Nicaea, with some making the assertion that Christians voted to make Jesus God in 325 AD. This was a very tumultuous time period in early church history, and the scope of this article cannot address all the various facets of events which contributed to it. However, this article will focus on the early … [Read more...]
The Divinity of Jesus. Part Two: Did Jesus Claim to be God?
Did Jesus claim to be God? This is a weighted question. The God of the Jews is “God the Father” from a Christian perspective. Did Jesus ever claim to be God the Father? Confusion over this issue has led to modalism, known today as the “Oneness” doctrine, which in the simplest terms is the idea that God was the Father in the Old Testament, the Son in the Gospels, and the Holy … [Read more...]
The Divinity of Jesus. Part One: Did Jesus Claim the Divine Name?
Many Christian scholars believe that Jesus claimed the divine name spoken to Moses from the burning bush, most specifically using the example in John 8:58, where Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” The passage from which the divine name originates is Exodus 3:14: “And God said unto Moses, I AM [THAT] I AM: and he said, Thus shall you say … [Read more...]
Does God Condone Slavery?
Many may be surprised to learn that in the Old Testament, God expressly forbids the slave trade, commanding that anyone who steals a man is to be put to death, whether he has sold the victim yet or not (Exodus 21:16). Naturally, this raises the question of why God had laws on slavery. It must be understood that there were different types of slavery in the ancient days. One was … [Read more...]
For Whom Did Jesus Die?
Recently, I was stunned to come across two verses in Revelation which claimed that not everyone’s name was once written in the Book of Life. In Rev 13:8, John writes: “All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain,” and later in Rev 17:8, “The beast that … [Read more...]
A Love Stronger Yet Than Death
Arise my lover, awaken my bride Let us drink of love as wine In your kiss shall I abide Forever in eternity entwined … [Read more...]
When was Jesus born?
The question of Jesus’ birth date has long been scrutinized in relation to Herod’s death and Luke’s census. This article draws heavily on the research done by Andrew E. Steinmann as it relates to Herod’s death, and the governor of Syria, which coincides with the astrological phenomenon seen by the Wise Men, as well as the in-depth study by Glen Miller of A Christian Thinktank … [Read more...]
Are We Born Evil?
In the book Isn't Religion Weird? Quotations for Atheists by Dave Lane, an anonymous quote reads: “Why does God punish us with suffering throughout life and an eternity in hell afterwards? Because we are born evil and depraved! But why are we born evil and depraved? Because God makes us that way. So God makes us a certain way and then punishes us for being that way!” … [Read more...]
Genocide and the God of the Old Testament
Many people take issue with the idea that God commanded the Jewish nation to initiate war against the Canaanites, ordering them to wipe them out and take their land for their own. Not only have some people rejected Christianity over this, but it has even spurred some Christians to leave the faith. Are the critics of the Old Testament and Christianity in general correct when … [Read more...]
The Sword that Slays in Silence
Crimson tears doth fall as blood, From soul’s wound of betrayal; A thorn veiled as a rosebud, For once we took sweet counsel. 'Twas not mine enemy, who Sold me to the hands of death; Nor foes who insult anew, Whilst I fight for every breath. … [Read more...]