One of the most contested and often misunderstood teachings of Jesus is His statement in Matthew 5:17-20: “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.” (NASB) This verse has stirred theological debate for centuries. What does it mean for Jesus to "fulfill" the Law? Does this mean we must keep all of the Old Testament commandments, or did Jesus redefine the [...]
One of the most common critiques of Christianity is that believers “cherry-pick” the Bible. Skeptics point to Old Testament commandments, like not wearing clothes made from mixed fabrics (Leviticus 19:19) or not boiling a goat in its mother’s milk (Exodus 23:19), and ask why Christians obey some biblical commands while seemingly ignoring others. Are we being inconsistent? The short answer: no, but the issue deserves a thoughtful, biblical explanation. A Book Full of Commandments The [...]
A persistent question in Christian theology is this: Should Christians still keep the Old Testament law, or did Jesus abolish it when He died on the cross? This topic has sparked much debate, especially when interpreting New Testament passages that seem to pull in different directions. However, Jesus' own words in Matthew 5 provide a strong foundation for understanding how He viewed the law and what that means for His followers. What Is the Old Testament [...]
Recently, I interviewed with my long-time friend, Maverick Witlouw, during which we discussed his views on Universalism. You can watch the conversation here. Universalism, the belief that all people will ultimately be reconciled with God and saved, faces several criticisms from other Christian theological perspectives, particularly from traditionalist and exclusivist viewpoints. Below are the main criticisms, grounded in theological arguments commonly raised: Undermines Biblical Authority and Scriptural Evidence: Critics, especially from evangelical and reformed traditions, [...]
It does not take much effort to look at the Church today and realize that it tends to function more inwardly. We urge our members to bring new people to church, essentially inviting them to join the "Jesus club." In all seriousness, however, every member of the community must be a soul winner for the Kingdom of Christ. This is not just because we are soldiers under His command but because this is how the [...]
1. Ransom Theory: Description: This theory posits that Christ's death was a ransom paid to Satan to free humanity from the bondage of sin and death. Key Figures: This view originated in the early Church and was held by early Church Fathers such as Origen (184-253 AD) and Gregory of Nyssa (335-395 AD). 2. Christus Victor: Description: This theory emphasizes Christ's victory over the powers of sin, death, and the devil. The resurrection is seen [...]
For centuries, the Qur’an has been interpreted to deny the crucifixion of Jesus, contradicting the New Testament's account. The key verse often cited is from Surah An-Nisa (4:157): "And [for] their saying, 'Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.' And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are [...]
Hyper grace theology, also known as "ultra grace" or "extreme grace," is a theological perspective that emphasizes an exaggerated understanding of God's grace to the extent that it may be seen as diminishing the importance of repentance, holiness, and righteous living. The term "hyper-grace" refers to a theological perspective that emphasizes an extreme or imbalanced view of God's grace. It often suggests that once a person is saved, they are exempt from the need [...]
Obviously, I am writing this question being very qualified in the area of Sin. Please, I do not think for a moment that you, the reader, also share any claim to ultimate perfection. I have written elsewhere about the Biblical definition of Sin. I am keenly aware that some of us have justified what is displeasing to the Lord by minimizing what we personally struggle with. For some of us, we have totally disqualified ourselves [...]
