Category: Theological Thoughts
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The Euthyphro Dilemma
Is it good because God commands it, or God commands it because it is good? The Euthyphro Dilemma, posed by Plato, questions whether something is good because God commands it, or if God commands it because it is good. Modern thinkers argue this is a false dilemma, suggesting a third…
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Eusebius
Thinkers and Theologians Eusebius of Caesarea (c. 260–339 AD), often called the “Father of Church History,” was a bishop, historian, and theologian whose works provide invaluable insights into the early Church. Born in Caesarea Maritima, in modern-day Israel, Eusebius studied under Pamphilus, a devout scholar and admirer of Origen, whose…
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SacredThreads
Sacred Threads: The Shroud of Turin in Scriptural and Jewish Context By Tom Dallis The Shroud of Turin is one of the most intriguing artifacts in history, but could it also provide a window into the burial of Jesus Christ as described in the Gospels? In this paper, I examine…
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Edgar Allan Poe, Alexander Friedmann, and the Origins of the Big Bang Theory
Edgar Allan Poe, a pioneer of gothic literature, is rarely credited with insights into cosmology, yet his speculative work Eureka: A Prose Poem (1848) remarkably anticipated ideas that resonate with the Big Bang theory. In Eureka, Poe proposed that the universe originated from a single primordial particle, an idea that…
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Which Fall?
Exploring the Many Falls in Jewish Thought When asked about the “fall,” a keen observer of Jewish thought might reply, “Which fall?” This question opens the door to a rich theological tapestry that includes not just the well-known fall of Adam, but other pivotal falls: the rebellion in the Divine…
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Sacred Threads
Sacred Threads: The Shroud of Turin in Scriptural and Jewish Context By Tom Dallis The Shroud of Turin is one of the most intriguing artifacts in history, but could it also provide a window into the burial of Jesus Christ as described in the Gospels? In this paper, I examine…
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Irenaeus Of Lyons
Thinkers and Theologians Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130–202 AD) was a second-century bishop, theologian, and early Church Father. Born in Smyrna (modern-day Izmir, Turkey), Irenaeus is traditionally believed to have been a disciple of Polycarp, who himself was a disciple of the Apostle John. This connection places Irenaeus in the…
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Bethlehem: The Prophetic And Historical Birthplace Of The Messiah
The Gospel of Luke places the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, linking it to a Roman census ordered by Caesar Augustus (Luke 2:1–7). This connection has faced criticism, with some dismissing the census as a theological construct to fulfill Jewish Messianic expectations. However, when examined in light of historical records,…
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Context Matters
Reconciling Skeptical Claims About God in the Old Testament Skeptics frequently cite challenging Old Testament passages—such as the conquest of Canaan (Deuteronomy 20:16–18), the binding of Isaac (Genesis 22), or divine judgments like the Flood (Genesis 6–9)—as evidence that the God of Israel is harsh, unjust, or malevolent. While these…
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The Stories Behind Three Beloved Christmas Carols
Christmas carols fill the season with joy, worship, and tradition. While we sing these familiar tunes year after year, the stories behind them are often just as inspiring as the songs themselves. Here’s a closer look at the history behind three of the most popular Christmas carols and the heart…
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Radiation Hypothesis For The Shroud Of Turin
Science and the Shroud Since the 1978 Shroud of Turin Research Project (STURP), radiation has emerged as the most scientifically plausible explanation for the Shroud’s unique image formation. Alternative theories—such as liquids, vapors, scorching, and rubbing—fail to explain its specific physical and chemical characteristics. The image is confined to the…
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“Already, But Not Yet”
A Jewish Perspective of Prophecy in Second Temple Judaism One of the defining characteristics of Second Temple Judaism was its nuanced view of prophecy, which interpreted God’s promises as partially fulfilled in history while awaiting a fuller, eschatological realization. This “already, but not yet” framework underpinned Jewish theology and eschatology…
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Atheism As A Worldview
Or Just A Lack Of Belief Atheism is often characterized as merely “a lack of belief in God,” but a closer examination reveals that it functions as more than just a passive absence of belief. It is, in many cases, a worldview—a set of assumptions and beliefs about the nature…
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21 Common Fallacies From Theists And Atheists
And how to avoid them “Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies because they become fashions.” – G. K. Chesterton Anyone, whether theist or atheist, can fall for a logical fallacy, which refers to a flaw in reasoning or an error in an argument. The Oxford English Dictionary defines it…
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The Battle Of Words
Understanding War Language In Ancient Near East and Middle East Cultures Pretend you are an archaeologist living 2,000 years from now. It’s a bright and warm day as you carefully sift through the ancient ruins, feeling the weight of history resting upon your shoulders. As you excavate, an intriguing document catches…
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3 Old Testament Stories That Always Cause Me To Cry
And why they are important Emotions are a gift from God. They separate us from all other creatures in the wide range of them with which we have been endowed. As image bearers, they also tell us something about God to which we should pay special attention. Our emotional capacity…
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Reformed Systematic Theology: Vol 4
The Church and Last Things a review Reformed Systematic Theology: Volume 4 – Church and Last Things by Joel Beeke and Paul Smalley is a comprehensive and insightful exploration into ecclesiology and eschatology from a Reformed perspective. The authors meticulously unpack the doctrine of the church, discussing its nature, purpose,…
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When Prayer Fails
Was Jesus Mistaken? Are these passages evidence that God does not exist because prayers are not answered? Matthew 18:19-20; Matthew 17:19-20; James 5:14-16; and 1 John 5:14. Let’s take each passage one at a time. “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching…
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