Biblical References
Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages are from the NIVArchives
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Search Results for: lean not understanding
Lean Not On Your Own Understanding: The Fear of Thinking in Fundamentalism
If you have ever questioned what you were taught by conservative churches, I am sure you experienced a certain amount of fear and trepidation in doing so. This fear is built into the conservative Christian culture and is constantly reinforced … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, doubt, fear, fundamentalism
Tagged proof-texts, Proverbs 1, Proverbs 3, wisdom
94 Comments
How Some Misguided Christian Beliefs are Very Harmful
Christianity is a very broad group of more than 2.3 billion people throughout the world, and there is tremendous variation in doctrinal beliefs among us. What we have in common is that we all, in some way, recognize Jesus as … Continue reading
Were the Gospels Written from Generations of Flawed Oral Transmission or Were They Much Closer to Eyewitness than that?
Have you ever played the telephone game? It’s a remarkable experience. A number of people sit in a circle. The first person whispers a story in the second person’s ear. Then the second person whispers the story into the third … Continue reading
Posted in authority, Bible, inerrancy, Jesus
Tagged Book of John, book of Mark, John 21, Mark 13, Oral Tradition, Papias, Peter, Telephone game
27 Comments
Dealing with the Confusion, Grief, and Existential Chaos of Leaving Fundamentalism or Traditional Evangelicalism
If you are questioning beliefs you were taught in fundamentalism or evangelicalism, your journey might be going smoothly or it might involve a lot of fear and uncertainty. It is not easy challenging beliefs we once deeply held. Over a … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, evangelicalism, fear, fundamentalism, inerrancy, Jesus, Paul
Tagged Adam, Emma Higgs
83 Comments
How Proof-texting is Ineffective and Disrespects the Bible
As a progressive blogger people often disagree with me—sometimes vigorously, and this is as it should be. I believe any statement, conclusion, or opinion I share is open to challenge. Exploring disagreement can be a very valuable experience; often I … Continue reading
Resources on Doubt and Changing Religious Beliefs
Doubt is not the opposite of faith; doubt is the opposite of gullibility. Doubt is not the opposite of faith but an element of faith. Until we examine what we have been taught, we are actually putting our faith in … Continue reading
Comments Off on Resources on Doubt and Changing Religious Beliefs
How I Changed from Disapproving LGBTs to Being Totally Affirming
Not long ago a close friend of mine, a conservative evangelical, brought up the issue of gays. As we talked I asked, ‘What about gay Christians?’…‘What?!’ they responded very flustered. ‘Gay Christians!’ They could not imagine such a thing. The … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, gays, Jesus, love
Tagged clobber passages, Gay Christians, Mel White, Romans 1, Sodom, Troy Perry
15 Comments
Why Did Jesus Die on the Cross?
We talked last time about three atonement theories that I believe are woefully misguided and miss the point of Jesus’ death completely: The Ransom Theory, the Satisfaction Theory, and the Substitutionary Atonement Theory (Penal Substitution). All three are inadequate to … Continue reading
Posted in atonement, eternal life, Jesus, Kingdom of God, love, resurrection, sin
Tagged Christus Victor, death, John 3:16
79 Comments
What Does Jesus’ Death on the Cross Do for Us?
When we consider how the death of Jesus on the cross affects us, we should first find the consensus of the New Testament writers—there is none! Next we can turn to the consensus of the Church Fathers throughout history—there is … Continue reading
Posted in atonement, Jesus, New Testament, sin
Tagged Blood, Cross, crucifixion, death, Sacrifice
76 Comments
The Prophets Begin to Talk about Sin in a New Way
The Old Testament presents two major understandings about sin. Sin was primarily thought to be disobedience of the nation of Israel or transgression of God’s many detailed rules (legalism). The solution to taking away sin and guilt was participation in … Continue reading
Posted in alienation, God, Jesus, legalism, Old Testament, sin
Tagged Amos 5, Hosea 6, Isaiah 1, Isaiah 61, Luke 4, Mark 12, Psalm 40, Temple ritual
33 Comments
Jesus Adds a Shocking Twist to Healing
It happens throughout history. A hero or leader arises and captures the attention and the enthusiasm of the people. His stature and popularity grow as his following grows, but then…he just goes too far. I hope this has never happened … Continue reading
Posted in alienation, authority, Jesus, Kingdom of God, Pharisees, sin
Tagged forgiveness, Luke 5, Mark 2, paralytic
47 Comments
The Beginning of the Good News about Jesus the Anointed One
Have you ever heard unexpectedly of something exciting going on in your community? Perhaps you heard it first from a friend who couldn’t wait to tell you about it. And then you heard about it from someone else, and before … Continue reading
Posted in Jesus, Kingdom of God, the Good News
Tagged baptism, confession, John the Baptist, Jordan River, Luke 3, Mark 1, Matthew 3, repentance
23 Comments
Love Wins by Rob Bell: a Book Review
This is not a new book. I read it when it first released in 2011, but I am reviewing it now. Rob Bell was the founder and pastor of the prominent Mar’s Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids (not to … Continue reading
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty
During the entire year of 1976 (the bicentennial), my denomination used a special logo in its publications. Recently, I came across a book mark from that campaign while cleaning out a storage space. It depicts George Washington crossing the Delaware and … Continue reading
Posted in legalism, Paul, the invitation
Tagged 2 Corinthians 3, Constantine, Matthew 11, Matthew 5, politics, Washington crossing the Delaware
22 Comments
Resources on Young Earth Creationism and Evolution
Misunderstanding the Genesis creation stories as literal, historical accounts produces a number of significant difficulties, among which is that many believers feel they must defend the Bible against increasingly solid evidence for evolution. Books Peter Enns, The Evolution of Adam: What the … Continue reading
My Journey from Fundamentalism
I was raised a fundamentalist, and I personally embraced fundamentalism at a very early age. I felt a need to be ‘saved’, so I went to the altar and prayed through. I ‘accepted Jesus’ as my ‘Lord and Savior’; and, along … Continue reading
Jesus Without Baggage 