Category Archives: History

Why the Earliest Churches Never Debated Faith vs. Works

Posted on 07/29/2026 by Paul Pavao

Today to a person asked, “If faithfulness is required to inherit the kingdom [Col. 1:22-23; Gal. 5:19-21; 2 Pet. 1:10-11], doesn’t that violate saved by grace?” I wrote (you get the edited version): I’ve wrestled with these passages since 1986. … Continue reading →

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What Is Tradition: Jesus, the Apostles, and our Bible

Posted on 06/10/2026 by Paul Pavao

I can’t do better than my long ago article, “Apostolic  Tradition.” It looks nicer than my blog does as well.

Posted in Bible, History, Rebuilding the Foundations, Roman Catholic & Orthodox | Tagged , | Leave a comment

When Grammar Shapes Theology: Wisdom, Jesus, and Proverbs 8

Posted on 05/26/2026 by Paul Pavao

This is pulled from my own Facebook post obviously. In another Facebook post I laughed at myself for not knowing that idioma in Spanish is masculine, not feminine. Language gender (and other grammar rules) is really important for understanding the … Continue reading →

Posted in Dealing with Scripture Honestly, Early Christianity, History, Modern Doctrines, Teachings that must not be lost | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How We Got Our Bible

Posted on 03/07/2026 by Paul Pavao

An Eastern Orthodox apologist, lampooning Protestants, described us as opening “a Bible compiled by fourth-century bishops at councils he does not recognize.” I am relatively certain that most educated Eastern Orthodox believers know that the Bible was not compiled in … Continue reading →

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Righteousness, Self-Control, and Judgment (Acts 24:25)

Posted on 02/15/2026 by Paul Pavao

As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, “Go your way for this time, and when it is convenient for me, I will summon you.” (Acts 24:25) Shortly after I was saved … Continue reading →

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Is This the Great Apostasy? Here’s what caused it.

Posted on 11/25/2025 by Paul Pavao

There is a reason that Christian history is divided into a pre-Nicene era (before the Council of Nicea in AD 325) and post-Nicene eras. Before the Council of Nicea, the churches were quick to announce the righteousness and virtue that … Continue reading →

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Understanding the Trinity: How Proverbs 8:22-31 Harmonizes Scripture and Personalizes Creation

Posted on 10/18/2025 by Paul Pavao

Scripture quotes today are from  the ESV, which was an accident. Usually I use the World English Bible because it is not copyrighted. Lately, though I have been reading the ESV, and I forgot to switch my Bible app back … Continue reading →

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Interpreting Romans by Believing What it Says: Chapter 1, Part 3 (a history of the Roman church)

Posted on 04/09/2025 by Paul Pavao

Note: I used to have links open in a new tab per advice I got 20 years ago. Today I quit doing that. I’m going to assume that all of you know to right click if you want a link … Continue reading →

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Church History 3: The Faith Once For All Delivered to the Saints

Posted on 02/11/2025 by Paul Pavao

If you missed Church History Focused on the Parts that Interest You 2, it’s because I didn’t know when I started the post that it would be a Church History lesson. Thus, the title does not have “Church History” in … Continue reading →

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The Rest of the Old, Old Story: What Does It Mean To Be Catholic?

Posted on 02/08/2025 by Paul Pavao

Note: I made this part 2 of my “Church History Focused on the Parts that Interest You” series. Part 1 has links to the entire series. This is a response to “Restless Pilgrim’s” post, “Before 300: Pre-Constantinian Christianity.” There he has … Continue reading →

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