Read more about the article Peter’s Christology at the Beautiful Gate
Healing at Beautiful Gate by Nicolas Poussin, 1655
Who is Jesus / Book of Acts / Peter's Christology

Peter’s Christology at the Beautiful Gate

Although the importance of Peter’s ministry in the eyes of the modern day Christian is often eclipsed by that of the apostle Paul, this fisherman turned apostle, offers believers keen insight and instruction about God and His Messiah.  Not only did God give Peter an unambiguous revelation as to Jesus’ identity, but he was also anointed with the Holy Spirit to preach the gospel at the Church’s inauguration.  Thereafter, he continued to play a key role in the direction and edification of the early Church.[1] …

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July 12, 2020
Read more about the article Peter’s Pentecost Christology
St. Peter Preaching by Masolino Tommaso, c. 1427
Who is Jesus / Book of Acts / Peter's Christology

Peter’s Pentecost Christology

Most Christians are at least somewhat familiar with Peter's response to Jesus' question, Who do you say that I am?Matthew 16:15-17 (NASB) He *said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16  Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17  And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. (emphasis added)God revealed to Peter that Jesus was indeed…

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July 4, 2020
Read more about the article 5 Cognitive Biases That Can Affect Our Theology
How to Read the Bible

5 Cognitive Biases That Can Affect Our Theology

It can be frustrating to share your faith with your "orthodox" friends and family, only to have them reject your beliefs.  Many tenaciously cling to their interpretations in the face of Biblical evidence to the contrary. Why are some people so reluctant to change their theology?  It may very well be that cognitive biases are keeping them from objectively processing the information. Biases help our brains work by streamlining the decision making process.[1]  However, cognitive biases can cause us to make faulty instead of informed…

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June 11, 2020
Read more about the article The Spirit of Christ and The Spirit of God
Who is the Holy Spirit

The Spirit of Christ and The Spirit of God

Scripture emphasizes there is just one Spirit.  Paul, for example, wrote, "There is one body and one Spirit."[1]  Yet Scripture also speaks of the Spirit of God (the Father), the Spirit of Christ, and the Holy Spirit.[2]  Moreover, each Spirit is said to be in believers.[3]   1 Corinthians 3:16 (NASB) Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (emphasis added) 1 Corinthians 6:19 (NASB) Or do you not know that your body is…

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May 25, 2020
Read more about the article Is the Holy Spirit a Person? A Look at the Pronouns in John’s Gospel
Who is the Holy Spirit

Is the Holy Spirit a Person? A Look at the Pronouns in John’s Gospel

Is the Holy Spirit a person or the power of God?  A "He" or an "it?"  According to Trinitarians, the Holy Spirit is a separate person, distinct from the Father and the Son.  The main evidence presented as "proof" that the Spirit is more than just a divine power or force is the use of masculine pronouns found primarily in John's gospel.  What most people don't realize, however, is that these pronouns cannot be used to determine the natural gender[1] of the Spirit, as we…

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May 17, 2020
Read more about the article Do You Have to Believe in the Trinity to Be Saved?
The Holy Trinity by Antonio de Pereda, 17th century
Proof Texts for the Trinity / Principle of Agency

Do You Have to Believe in the Trinity to Be Saved?

What must we believe in order to be saved? According to the fifth century Athanasian Creed, we must believe in the doctrine of the Trinity and the related doctrine of the incarnation of Jesus. The creed states in part:So in everything...we must worship [Father, Son, Holy Spirit] their trinity in their unity and their unity in their trinity.  Anyone then who desires to be saved should think thus about the trinity.  But it is necessary for eternal salvation that one also believe in the incarnation of our…

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May 9, 2020
Read more about the article In My Father’s Name
Who is Jesus / Principle of Agency

In My Father’s Name

If Jesus is God and the second member of a triune being, as fourth century councils would later determine, we would expect him to act in a manner consistent with a divine nature.  As deity, we would expect Jesus to come in his own name, that is, to act on his own authority,  according to his own will or determination.  What we find in Scripture, however, is that Jesus did neither.  Instead, Jesus said he came in his Father's name: John 5:43 (NASB) "I have…

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April 20, 2020
Read more about the article Jesus, A Man Under Authority
Christ and the Centurion, by Paolo Veronese, 16th century
Who is Jesus / Church History

Jesus, A Man Under Authority

In first-century Rome, a centurion was a military officer in charge of a centuria,[1] the smallest unit of soldiers within a legion.  Each centurion was ranked and assigned various levels of authority and responsibility, with the first ranking centurion of the first ranking cohort, being called the primus pilus or first spear.[2]  The centurion was said to be in the middle of the Roman military hierarchy, having men who ranked in authority both above and below him.[3]  We see this hierarchy referenced in an exchange…

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April 6, 2020
Read more about the article Did Jesus “Return” to the Father?
Proof Texts for the Deity of Christ

Did Jesus “Return” to the Father?

There are certain verses in John's gospel, John 1:1-3 and John 17:5, for example, that are considered proof that Jesus pre-existed in heaven.  There's another passage, depending on the translation you read, that appears to support the notion as well: John 13:3 (NIV) Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God  (emphasis added) Did Jesus Return to the Father? The phrase "returning to God" or "going back to God"…

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March 19, 2020
Read more about the article Jesus, The Great Teacher, Had a Teacher
The Sermon on the Mount by Carl Heinrich Bloch, c. 19th century
Who is Jesus

Jesus, The Great Teacher, Had a Teacher

Those who encountered Jesus during his earthly ministry may have debated whether or not he was the Messiah,[1] but few, if any, debated his ability to teach.  On the contrary, crowds were astonished by his teaching: Mark 11:18 (NASB) The chief priests and the scribes heard this, and began seeking how to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, for the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching. (emphasis added)Many people, including Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, recognized that Jesus' teachings, and the signs…

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March 14, 2020
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