Category Archives: Modern Doctrines

Paul’s Epistle to the Romans (PPPPPP version): Paul Pavao’s Potentially Prejudiced Personal Paraphrase

Posted on 08/10/2026 by Paul Pavao

Paul Pavao’s Potentially Prejudiced Personal Paraphrase (PPPPPP) of Romans: Romans 1:1-17: I am not ashamed of my Good News because it is so powerful that over and over again, the people who believe it practice righteousness. My Good News is … Continue reading →

Posted in atonement, Bible, Gospel, Holiness, Modern Doctrines | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Bible, History, Verses Versus Verses | Leave a comment

Just Do It! No, Wait, Just Think It!

Posted on 07/21/2026 by Paul Pavao

I get flak for all I say about works, especially when I say we have to stop explaining and apologizing when we say “good works.” Good works are “good.” No, you cannot be changed from dead in your sins to … Continue reading →

Posted in Holiness, Modern Doctrines | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Bible Warnings and Why I Don’t Believe Eternal Security

Posted on 07/20/2026 by Paul Pavao

I’ve never believed in eternal security. I attended two churches when I was first saved, an all-black Pentecostal Church every other week when my boss, the greatest Christian who ever lived, was preaching, and an almost all-white Assembly of God … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Evangelicals, Gospel | Leave a comment

The Strange Case of Symbolic Baptism: A Doctrine in Search of a Text

Posted on 07/06/2026 by Paul Pavao

I’m looking at a defense of symbolic baptism written by a an intelligent and godly man with long experience in the Scriptures. You may be like him, a follower of Jesus that, to borrow a John Wesley quote about Georg … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Gospel | 1 Comment

Will God Judge You by Your Church Membership?

Posted on 06/29/2026 by Paul Pavao

I was asked, “Can I be saved if I don’t join the Eastern Orthodox?” I answered: I am so sorry you are having to ask this question. Here’s the simplest answer I can give you. Read Ezekiel 18:20-32; Matthew 25:31-46; … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Church, Dealing with Scripture Honestly, Early Christianity, Gospel, Holiness, Modern Doctrines, Roman Catholic & Orthodox, Teachings that must not be lost, Unity | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Connecting the Dots: Why Paul and John Speak Differently About Eternal Life

Posted on 06/26/2026 by Paul Pavao

I asked ChatGPT what I could do in the public forum to communicate better. In fact, I used the phrase “be more systematic.” It replied: If I were looking for one improvement in your public communication, it would not be … Continue reading →

Posted in atonement, Bible, Dealing with Scripture Honestly, Evangelicals, Gospel, Modern Doctrines, Rebuilding the Foundations, Teachings that must not be lost | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

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

Can We Justify “Protecting” God’s Flock from God’s Warnings?

Posted on 04/11/2026 by Paul Pavao

A friend saw my face and demeanor after a discussion of spiritual gifts, and he kindly checked on me. I told him I sometimes struggle with the fact that everyone agrees my spiritual gift is teaching, but I’m rarely allowed … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Dealing with Scripture Honestly, Evangelicals, Gospel, Holiness, Leadership, Modern Doctrines, Rebuilding the Foundations, Verses Evangelicals Ignore | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Does Jesus Believe Divorced and Remarried Couples Are Living in Adultery

Posted on 04/08/2026 by Paul Pavao

This blog post is my joyful, heartfelt, deeply freeing, warm-hearted  goodbye to both a dogma and the people who will contemn me for rejecting it. (To “contemn” is to treat with contempt; to despise. It is what people often mean … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellaneous, Modern Doctrines | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment