Monthly Archives: January 2015

An Ancient Theologian explains Tradition

Posted on 01/31/2015 by Paul Pavao

Originally posted on Dead Heroes Don't Save:
Irenaeus, a 2nd century theologian, defended Christianity from the Gnostic philosophies that were popular at the time. His 5 volume work, Against Heresies, dedicates the first two volumes to describing the Gnostic…

Posted in Early Christianity | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Atonement: Part IV (I think)

Posted on 01/26/2015 by Paul Pavao

I realized today that Isaiah tells a similar story to the one I told in my Tackling the Atonement post. I’m using the NASB today. This is Isaiah 59:16-21: And He saw that there was no man, And was astonished … Continue reading →

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Atonement: Part Three (I Think)

Posted on 01/24/2015 by Paul Pavao

It is very hard to just step back and look at a doctrine so important to the faith as the atonement. I am always looking for ways to get my readers to hear what I am saying, to somehow not … Continue reading →

Posted in Evangelicals, Modern Doctrines | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Fulness of the Law (video)

Posted on 01/22/2015 by Paul Pavao

I’d guess that almost no one knows how the early Christians dealt with Matthew 5:17: “I did not come to abolish the Law, but to bring it to fullness.” The evangelical interpretation of that passage relies on a faulty translation … Continue reading →

Posted in Modern Doctrines | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

The Atonement: Q&A

Posted on 01/20/2015 by Paul Pavao

In my previous post, “Tackling the Atonement,” I told a story about Jesus becoming man, entering into and sharing our slavery and bondage, then undoing all the things Adam put on us as humans because he obeyed rather than disobeying … Continue reading →

Posted in Evangelicals, Modern Doctrines | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Tackling the Atonement

Posted on 01/19/2015 by Paul Pavao

I tried twice to day to write this post, and I deleted what I had both times. Then I found an email from a couple days ago that was sent to me by a regular reader and commenter, and I … Continue reading →

Posted in Modern Doctrines | Tagged , | 3 Comments

James 1:5-7 Revisited: Nothing Doubting

Posted on 01/16/2015 by Paul Pavao

We talked once about James 1:5-7 and how frightening it is that our prayers might not be answered because of a little doubt. What we determined was that the issue was not a little doubt that our prayers might be … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellaneous, prayer | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Staying on the Subject: Penal Substitution

Posted on 01/14/2015 by Paul Pavao

If you read this blog much, you know how much I dislike the doctrine of penal substitution. Not only does it justify a Christian living as an enemy of Jesus, but it makes a monster out of God. Proving penal … Continue reading →

Posted in Evangelicals, Modern Doctrines | Tagged , | 23 Comments

Isaiah 22:11-14

Posted on 01/13/2015 by Paul Pavao

Don’t make the mistake of choosing your own way to worship God. Isaiah 22:11-14: You also made a reservoir for yourself between the two walls of the inner old pool. But you did not look to Him who made it … Continue reading →

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Romans 5:17-18: The Gift of Righteousness

Posted on 01/11/2015 by Paul Pavao

I have been having a great discussion about the definition of “grace” in the Bible. In the midst of it I ran across Romans 5:17-18 and was really touched by it. I am pretty sure I have read those two … Continue reading →

Posted in Holiness, Modern Doctrines, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments