newtestamentchristianity

                                                                                                                                   1. Introduction:  There has been much debate about whether Christ's death was particular for the church or in general for all of humanity. Those who hold to the belief that Christ died and provided potential salvation for both elect and non-elect hold to what is called ''Unlimited Atonement.'' Those, on the other hand, who endorse the belief that Christ's salvation was only efficacious for the elect hold to what is called ''Limited Atonement.'' In each camp, there are further different of thoughts concerning Christ's atonement w...

 In my last post, I discussed the Calvinist problems with Romans 9. Today, I would like to discuss their interpretation of Ephesians 1 and how a person can hold to unconditional election without holding to Calvinism.  Historically, the doctrine known as ''Unconditional Election'' was endorsed by Augustine of Hippo, Bonaventure, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, and John Calvin. It was denied by many of the Greek fathers, many Medieval theologians, and the later Arminians. Unconditional Election asserts that God has predestined men for salvation not based on foreseen merits. Today, it is still a common view among Thomists (Roman Catholics) and Lutherans. Many Amyraldists (4-point Calvinists) also hold to unconditional election.  Unconditional Election teaches that God's choice of your salvation is not based upon your given response. Conditional Election, though, says that God has taken your reaction to His calling into account.  Common passages from Scripture used to ju...

Soon, I will be beginning a post on the top of justification according to Early Christianity. For now, however, I wish to explore a related topic: problems with the Calvinist views on Romans 9. Broadly speaking, much could be said about the debate on predestination such as the Thomist and the Molinist interpretations of Ephesians 1. My intention here, though, is simply to prove that the Calvinist reading of Romans 9 is theologically inconsistent with the rest of scripture.  Today, I am starting my first on several posts which take aim at the Calvinist understanding of predestination. In this post, I will be focusing on Romans 9. In the following posts, I hope to cover passages from Ephesians and 1 John concerning both the election and the atonement.  It's very common in American Evangelicalism to read passages of Scripture according to the perspectives of those in the sixteenth century and afterward rather than through the lens that Jewish believers saw the New Testament. If E...

 Biblical Studies generally includes three major disciplines: Old Testament, Biblical Theology, and New Testament/Early Christianity. It is certainly much more than just a reference to a chapter and a verse in an English translation of the Bible.  Old Testament Studies is about the text and history of the Hebrew Bible. Students and lecturers read the Old Testament in its original language and attempt to understand the history of Jewish thought. Considering that the Hebrew Bible covers thousands of years, students of Old Testament Studies will attempt to understand the historical events taking place at the time of the Biblical books to gain further insight as to the meaning of the scriptures.  Biblical Theology includes the study of key doctrines such as Baptism, the Lord's Table, and church government. It comprises the theology of both the Old and New Testaments.  The Study of New Testament Studies and Early Christianity are closely aligned. At some seminaries, the t...

  In a world of Post-COVID 19, many parents have started to ask themselves about whether or not they should homeschool. Indeed, many fathers and mothers have grown weary of their children learning about critical race theory and queer theory from public schools and universities.  Homeschooling or home education was the common form of education in many countries throughout the world until recently. In the Middle Ages, for example, many noble children were privately tutored. Even in the nineteenth century, whether it was by a parent or a private tutor, many young people received home education.  By now, some of you have probably guessed, based on my previous posts on courtship, etc., that I support Christian families homeschooling their children. Now, I want to discuss why I believe homeschooling is Biblical. For those that cannot engage in home education, sending one's child to a conservative classical Christian school is another good option.  Proverbs 22: 6 tells us t...

                                                                                                                                    Introduction:  It is frequent for many Fundamentalist ''Christians'' in today's society to say that nothing should be used but the Bible. Many of these heretics have completely rejected church history and have painted everything before the Protestant Reformation (or at least after the fourth century) as being ''The Dark Ages.'' To this religious group, the early Protestants were far too Catholic but the Baptists are the perfected denomination of church history.  Concerning their claim that nothing should be used but the Bib...

                                                                                                                                      Introduction:  In a world of casual dating, Christians must ask themselves what they believe about a man and a woman's preparation for marriage. Should the man be equipped to take a wife? How much does a father play in the role of his daughter's potential courtship? While entire books have dealt with this general subject, I want to present a brief Biblical and historical case for courtship in this post.  I will be making a Biblical case that courtship is superior to dating. Indeed, I wish to show that the Biblical ex...