How Diverse Was Early Christianity? Clearing Up a Few Misconceptions
For some critical scholars, the most important fact about early Christianity was its radical theological diversity. Christians couldn’t agree on much of anything, we are told. All we have in the early centuries were a variety of Christian factions all claiming to be original and all claiming to be apostolic.
Sure, one particular group–the group we now know as “orthodox” Christianity–won those theological wars. But why (the argument goes) should we think this group is any more valid than the groups that lost? What if another group (say the Gnostic Christians) had won? If they had, then what we call “Christianity” would look radically different.
Thus, according to these critics, … Continue reading...
Believe it or Not, I am Now on Facebook
One of my favorite cartoons is a picture of man sitting in his library in an isolated chair, reading a book and sipping his brandy. He is an intellectual looking fellow with a sweater vest and glasses.
The caption reads: “Eccentric internet holdout Delbert T. Quimby passes another day non-digitally.”
I laugh at the cartoon because I see myself in it. Or at least I see what I wish was myself.
Over the years, I have tried to be the “internet holdout” but it has become somewhat of a hilarious failure. Each reluctant step into the digital world has led to another. First, I started my own website/blog. Then, I … Continue reading...
@DavidPowlison from @CCEF Will Be Speaking @RTSCharlotte on Depression and Suffering
From a pastoral perspective, one of the most common problems I come across in my church–a problem that is often hidden and concealed–is the problem of depression. A substantial amount of people (more than we think) have a serious struggle with this issue.
For this reason, the RTS Charlotte campus is pleased to have Dr. David Powlison from CCEF come speak on this complex topic. David is the executive director of CCEF and one of the leading thinkers, authors, and speakers in the world of biblical counseling.
David will speak from 6:30-8:30PM on Monday, Jan 18th on the Charlotte campus. This session is part of our EQUIP series at RTS … Continue reading...
Is the Existence of the NT Canon Incompatible with Claims of New Revelation?
“God has spoken to me.”
There are few statements that will shut down debate more quickly than this one. If Christians disagree over a doctrine, a practice, or an idea, then the trump card is always “God has spoken to me” about that. End of discussion.
But, the history of the church (not to mention the Scriptures themselves) demonstrates that such claims of private, direct revelation are highly problematic. Of course, this doesn’t mean that God doesn’t speak to people. The Scripture is packed with examples of this. But, these were typically individuals with a unique calling (e.g., prophet or apostle), or who functioned at unique times in redemptive history … Continue reading...
Here is a Great Series by @melissabkruger on Reading the Bible in a Year
Now that 2015 is coming to a close, everyone is starting to talk about cranking up the yearly Bible reading for 2016.
But, if you are looking for more than just a link to a good Bible reading program, you will want to check out the great 4-part series my wife Melissa did over at TGC on her blog Wit’s End. She provides the bigger picture reasons and motivations for why Bible reading in a year makes sense.
One of her key reasons is that yearly Bible reading allows us to see the big sweep of redemptive history, something piece-meal reading can never do. Put differently, Bible reading in … Continue reading...