I have run into several people across the years who have been very adamant about the notion that as Christians we should not pray to the Holy Spirit, sing to the Holy Spirit, or worship the Holy Spirit. They say that all of our worship/prayer ought to be focused on Father, through Jesus. Are theyContinue reading “Do We Worship the Holy Spirit?”
Category Archives: Barth
Karl Barth on The Meaning of the Lord’s Supper
In laying out Barth’s position on the Lord’s Supper we cannot properly speak of “Barth’s position” because Barth ended his Church Dogmatics (henceforth CD) before touching upon the Lord’s Supper (henceforth LS) extensively,[1] thus any reconstruction of Barth’s position is just that, a reconstruction and not an exposition. However what we can say with certaintyContinue reading “Karl Barth on The Meaning of the Lord’s Supper”
Jesus Christ and the Essence of Christianity
It is well known that Adolf von Harnack along with other German theologians of the early 20th century promoted a “return” to the essence of Christianity. They believed that through the centuries Christianity had been perverted by Hellenistic philosophy. True Christianity – the essence of Christianity – was found in the teachings of Jesus, notContinue reading “Jesus Christ and the Essence of Christianity”
“Only Two Things are Needed” – The Dogmatic Theology of Karl Barth
How does one go about doing theology? What sort of tools are needed? A bible, some books, a library, maybe a good search engine like google or Wikipedia (just joking there). Karl Barth gives us an answer to this question – What do you need to do theology? According to Barth, dogmatic theology is aContinue reading ““Only Two Things are Needed” – The Dogmatic Theology of Karl Barth”
Patcum Salutis and Social Contract Theory
Yesterday I went to ETS Far West 2014 and heard several really good papers. Unlike ETS the last few times, there were some really good post discussion conversations. One of my favorite conversations happened after a paper on the Pactum Salutis (covenant of redemption) and subordinationism. A student from Westminster Seminary (California) presented a paperContinue reading “Patcum Salutis and Social Contract Theory”
Mushy Brains, Dry Brains
It sounds like the title of story book for hungry little zombie children. Don’t worry though its not, I haven’t broken the ground on the genre just yet. Mushy Brains, Dry Brains, is actually how I feel after reading certain books. The other day I was talking to a friend who teaches at Eternity BibleContinue reading “Mushy Brains, Dry Brains”
How To Read Hard (and Old) Books
It can be intimidating to pick up a 1700 year old classic on philosophy or theology. C.S. Lewis would agree. Lewis says that: There is a strange idea abroad that in every subject the ancient books should be read only by the professionals, and that the amateur should content himself with modern books… if theContinue reading “How To Read Hard (and Old) Books”
Christological and Trinitarian Missiologies (pt. 2)
Today we wrap the comparison between the missiology of Samuel Escobar and Stephen Holmes by looking at their specific theologies of mission, then we conclude by comparing and contrasting them. ——————————————————————- Samuel Escobar Escobar begins his paper by noticing the incorrectly held assumption that Christianity is essentially a western religion.[1] Because Christianity is notContinue reading “Christological and Trinitarian Missiologies (pt. 2)”
The Challenge of Acts 2:42-47 (pt. 1)
The Challenge So this week I was given the task of preaching on Acts 2:42-47, what the NIV calls “The Fellowship of the Believers.” Normally being given this text to preach is every preacher’s dream. Its so easy! You just preach about community and how to do church! To a certain extent I can resonateContinue reading “The Challenge of Acts 2:42-47 (pt. 1)”
The Bible – The Word of God – Three Views: Part 7
Today we wrap up the series: “The Bible – The Word of God.” Having looked at some of the strengths and weaknesses of the three positions we will be able to articulate a dogmatic account of Scripture that all orthodox Christian traditions will be able to affirm. ________________________________________________________ “The Word of God” Revisited WeContinue reading “The Bible – The Word of God – Three Views: Part 7”
CWoznicki Think Out Loud 