How the Arminian View Responds to Calvinist Beliefs About Salvation and Free Will by Pastor Rudolph P. Boshoff
(10-minute Read) Recently, I saw that some of my friends had posted the following banner on one of their social media sites, and as a result, I decided to jot down a brief reaction to what it is that they have been posting. I've seen that a lot of individuals appear to denounce any opinion that isn't consistent with their particular Calvinist beliefs. In the following post, I will make a brief effort to respond [...]
The Trinity in light of Scripture and reason by Pastor Rudolph P. Boshoff
In this blog, I want to touch on some of the points that I made in a recent debate that I participated in with the well-known debater Dr. Shabir Ally and my good friend Yusuf Ismail. In all honesty, I believe that as Christians, we should be able to defend the merits of the Doctrine of the Trinity with a fair amount of ease. When I was attempting to describe a setting in the first [...]
Does the Qur’an validate the New Testament? by by Pastor Rudolph P. Boshoff
In the previous debate, I attempted to demonstrate that a cursory reading of the Qur'an reveals that it speaks positively about the Christian Scriptures. Unfortunately, due to loadshedding in South Africa, my internet line was unstable, and I could not really anticipate the other speaker's questions and opinions. So let me start by showing you what the Qur'an says. The Qur'an's respectful view of the Bible. The Qur'an says that the original New Testament [...]
The Historical Significance of the date September 11 by Pastor Rudolph P. Boshoff
A Short History The events of September 11 are significant in world history. It wasn't just a random date picked by the Muslim terrorists who attacked the United States in 2001, using four American aircraft to crash one into the Pentagon, another into a field in Pennsylvania, and two more into the World Trade Center towers in New York City. It also commemorates the day in 1683 when the Muslim troops of the Ottoman Empire [...]
The New Testament Canon: Man-Made of Divine? Notes on my debate with Adnan Rashid by Pastor Rudolph P. Boshoff
Recently I was invited to speak to Ustad Adnan Rashid on the topic, "The New Testament Canon: Man-made or Divine?" Even though text-critical issues are not my forte, I thought a discussion on the temperament of the New Testament community would be something interesting to discuss with Adnan. The five ways in which I wanted to answer the question of this debate were in the following sequence: The nature of Christian inspiration in that which [...]
The Gospel behind the Gospels: Evangelion, Kerygma and early rule of Faith by Pastor Rudolph P. Boshoff
R.V.G Tasker Professor of New Testament Exegesis at the University of London remarks that; “There were at least thirty five years of Christian teaching and Christian missionary activity before the believers were in possession of the written records of Christ’s life and teaching, which we know as the four Gospels”… He adds: “Our faith today is bound to be conditioned by the four Gospels. The faith of the earliest Christians was independent of them.”[1] Even [...]
What makes God, God? by Pastor Rudolph P. Boshoff
In a Doxology expressed by Paul (Romans 11:33-36), he writes; "O, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and unfathomable are His ways! "For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor?" "Or who has first given to Him, and it shall be repaid to him?" For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him [...]
Is Pentecostalism Becoming the New Religion of the Global Poor? A Reply to Elle Hardy by Pastor Rudolph P. Boshoff
I recently received an article sent to me by a colleague concerning the state of the Pentecostal Church in South Africa. The title seemed intriguing, and I thought I would give it a read. I have seen the name of the author, Elle Hardy, in numerous articles in the past and thought I would read what she wrote. It seems like Elle has built quite a career that thrives on the messiness of the [...]
Significant Qur’anic Doctrines and teachings by John Gilchrist
1. The Qur'anic Doctrine of Abrogation. The Qur'an is unique among sacred scriptures in teaching a doctrine of abrogation according to which later pronouncements of the Prophet abrogate, i.e., declare null and void, his earlier pronouncements. The importance of knowing which verses abrogate others has given rise to the Qur'anic science known as Nasikh wa Mansukh Islam: Muhammad and his Religion, i.e., the "Abrogators and the Abrogated". (Jeffery, p. 66). There are a number of passages in [...]
An Appeal for Christian Beauty by Robert Falconer
Occasionally, I dream of vising old English Cathedrals in forested hills cloaked in cool mist or walking into warmly lit churches in urban spaces bursting with liturgical beauty; the colours, the smells, the vestments, the music. The magical sense of wonder quickly fades as I wake, and I am left with a deep sense of longing for authentic Christian beauty which lingers for several days. To be sure, these ecclesiastical traditions and Christian experiences do [...]