Category Archives: Rebuilding the Foundations

The “Broader Framework” of Salvation at the Heart of the Apostle Paul’s Teaching

Posted on 02/13/2021 by Paul Pavao

Today I wrote on Facebook that I would pay my entire retirement account if by doing so I could magically impart an understanding of the preface of Matthew J. Thomas’ new edition of Paul’s “Works of the Law” in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Early Christianity, Evangelicals, Gospel, Holiness, Modern Doctrines, Rebuilding the Foundations | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

When Christians Conquered a Nation

Posted on 01/25/2021 by Paul Pavao

This was written very close to the year 200, to the Roman emperors, who almost certainly never read it, but the words have been preserved. This is what conquest of an empire by real Christians looks like: This is long, … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Early Christianity, Evangelicals, History, History (Stories), Modern Doctrines, Rebuilding the Foundations, Teachings that must not be lost | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Steadfast and Trustworthy Love of God

Posted on 01/05/2021 by Paul Pavao

Job 9:32-35 (NIV): [God] is not a mere mortal like me that I might answer him, that we might confront each other in court. If only there were someone to mediate between us, someone to bring us together, someone to … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellaneous, Rebuilding the Foundations | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

The Kind and Merciful Judgment of God

Posted on 12/04/2020 by Paul Pavao

Biblical teaching on the judgment is critically important. Many churches insult God by portraying him as merciless, a cruel deity who would torture a human for eternity for one sin because he is “holy” and “just.” (What sort of holiness … Continue reading →

Posted in Dealing with Scripture Honestly, Evangelicals, Gospel, Modern Doctrines, Rebuilding the Foundations | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

The Elementary (First) Teachings of Christ: Hebrews 6:1-2

Posted on 11/20/2020 by Paul Pavao

In Hebrews 6:1-2 is a list of the foundational teachings of the Christian faith. These are the “first things” of the teachings of Christ, and from these we “go on to maturity.” The six foundational teachings listed by the writer … Continue reading →

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The Judgment by Works: The Most Important Doctrine to Learn from the Early Church Fathers

Posted on 11/02/2020 by Paul Pavao

I wrote the following in a comment on Patristics for Protestants about what is the most important thing to learn from the early church fathers. There are several quotes from the earliest fathers in my comment, but I give you … Continue reading →

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God Has Always Been Merciful (Rebuilding the Foundations)

Posted on 08/24/2020 by Paul Pavao

I haven’t posted in over a month. I have been trying to listen to God’s guidance for the rest of my life. A lot of things have changed that have given us more free time and less responsibilities. I have … Continue reading →

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Jude 3: Over-Agonizing for the Once for All Delivered Faith

Posted on 05/19/2020 by Paul Pavao

Dear saints, Jude, our Lord’s brother, commanded us long ago to epagonizomai for the faith once for all delivered to us. Epagonizomai means to “over agonize.” In Colossians 1:29, Paul said he was agonizomai, agonizing, with God’s energeo, God’s energy, … Continue reading →

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Doing Good Works Is not Legalism: Salvation by Faith the Bible Way

Posted on 12/06/2019 by Paul Pavao

In this post, I want to rescue you from the negative attitude towards good works that is so common in modern churches. The Conflict: Works and Faith The source of that negative attitude is verses like Romans 3:28, which says, … Continue reading →

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Good People Go To Heaven; Bad People Perish

Posted on 10/23/2019 by Paul Pavao

As an evangelical, I was taught that good people do not go to heaven; saved people do. Now that Jesus died, it is all about faith. Saved people go to heaven, no matter what they do, and people who do … Continue reading →

Posted in Evangelicals, Protestants, Rebuilding the Foundations | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments