Author Archives: Paul Pavao

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About Paul Pavao

I am married, the father of six, and currently the grandfather of five. I teach, and I am always trying to learn to disciple others better than I have before. I believe God has gifted me to restore proper theological foundations to the Christian faith. In order to ensure that I do not become a heretic, I read the early church fathers from the second and third centuries. They were around when all the churches founded by the apostles were in unity. My philosophy for Bible reading is to understand each verse for exactly what it says in its local context. Only after accepting the verse for what it says do I compare it with other verses to develop my theology. If other verses seem to contradict a verse I just read, I will wait to say anything about those verses until I have an explanation that allows me to accept all the verses for what they say. This takes time, sometimes years, but eventually I have always been able to find something that does not require explaining verses away. The early church fathers have helped a lot with this. I argue and discuss these foundational doctrines with others to make sure my teaching really lines up with Scripture. I am encouraged by the fact that the several missionaries and pastors that I know well and admire as holy men love the things I teach. I hope you will be encouraged too. I am indeed tearing up old foundations created by tradition in order to re-establish the foundations found in Scripture and lived on by the churches during their 300 years of unity.

The Bible Fact Checker #2: “Word of God”

Tradition can be good (2 Thess. 2:15), but it can also oppose the Word of God (Mk. 7:13). Tradition can also change the meaning of the Scriptures because words change their meaning over time as humans use them. I submit … Continue reading

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How to Establish a Culture that is Consistent with Your Vision

I had set this post aside for later reading. Round 2 of lymphoma chemotherapy turned out to be just that opportunity. This inspired me and convicted me: 1. About my lack of organization 2. About my unwillingness to repeat, repeat, … Continue reading

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The Bible Fact Checker #1: Preachers

Today, one more time, I read a brilliant, educated professor/pastor/national speaker use important biblical terms wrongly. “Wrong” means “not the way the Bible uses them.” I don’t blame them. It’s not part of our tradition to correct our speech and … Continue reading

Posted in Modern Doctrines | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Hope and the Lord of the Rings

I rarely reblog, but I just loved this post. Here’s a couple quotes: Sam: It’s like in the great stories Mr. Frodo, the ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were, and sometimes you didn’t want to … Continue reading

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No Suffering? Is It Even Good?

At this moment, but soon to be corrected, I have read only one article by Father Stephen Freeman. This is a brilliant insight into, and antidote to, first-world society and Christianity. That may not be a superb sales line for … Continue reading

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Fear, Faith, and Forgiveness

This is a response to a reader/friend regarding whether a single fall from perfection could cost us eternal life. I hope that what people saw in my post is that the issue with the cross is not a failure here … Continue reading

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Eternal Security/Once Saved Always Saved

I like to find a different way to say “Eternal security is not true” than saying “Eternal security is not true.” I only do that because over the years I have discussed this false, dangerous doctrine with so many evangelicals … Continue reading

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Amazing Grace for Suffering

I have learned from experience about a grace that many of you have wondered about. I know because I have talked with so many people over the years. Having touched it, I want to testify about it. The grace I’m … Continue reading

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Embracing the Cross

I’ve been being tenderized in a heartbreaking manner by awesome people I’ve met in Memphis. They haven’t said anything to me. I have just watched them. The fact is, on many days, especially writing on this blog, I wrestle with … Continue reading

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The Christian Thanksgiving Meal

I’m sure very few Protestants know what “Eucharist” means. Ironically, if I’m right, not many Catholics know what Eucharist means, either. The word comes from the Greek ευχαρστια, meaning the giving of thanks: thanksgiving. It was chosen because of Jesus’ … Continue reading

Posted in Early Christianity, Modern Doctrines | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments