Category: Theological Thoughts
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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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Was Jesus REALLY Born In Bethlehem?
Responding to those who deny this truth. But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from everlasting, From the ancient days. – Micah 5:2 LSB It…
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Which Of The 4 Gospels Was Written First?
And why does it matter? One popular theory among scholars is called Marcan Priority. It suggests that Mark’s Gospel was written before gospels of Matthew and Luke. This theory is based on the belief that Mark was written around 70 AD, while Matthew and Luke were written later. According to…
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4 Reasons Christians Should Stand With Israel, 4 Things You Can Do To Help
“When I say we have no greater friends than Christian supporters of Israel, I know you’ve always stood with us . . . You stand with us because you stand with yourselves because we represent that common heritage of freedom that goes back thousands of years.” Benjamin Netanyahu As an…
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3 Arguments That Sound Good . . . But Arn’t.
I often hear these statements, which are presented as convincing arguments. However, upon closer examination, these claims are easily debunked. Here they are. 1. You Can’t Prove a Negative. 2. Absence of Evidence is Evidence of Absence. 3. Extraordinary Claims Require Extraordinary Evidence. Skeptics often use these false claims in…
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What Sparked the Scientific Revolution?
The answer may surprise you. The Scientific Revolution that occurred in the 16th and 17th centuries had a significant impact on human history. It brought about the birth of modern science and the scientific method. This period saw the contributions of great individuals like Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, and many others…
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Demand and Deny
The continuing saga of internet atheism Some people who don’t believe in God often use a tactic called “demand and deny”. They keep asking for more evidence, even when historical sources are abundantly presented. And yet when more evidence is given, they still deny it. I’m not referring to the…
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Was Yahweh a tribal god of the Canaanites?
Yahweh did not originate from the Canaanites or other similar groups, as some people have thought. Understanding who the Canaanites were is crucial to understanding the actions of the Hebrews towards them as described in the Bible. By knowing the history and interactions of the Canaanites, we can avoid misinterpreting…
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