Category Archives: Articles

Here are articles on various topics to help with your walk.

A White Man’s Religion?

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Was Christianity Invented by & for White Europeans?

In observance of Black History Month (February), I decided to make my small contribution to the study of the subject in relation to the history of Christianity.[1] Although I have been told that my white skin somehow disqualifies me from weighing in on this subject, I strongly disagree. However, for those who think otherwise, but who are still interested in looking further into this subject, you might check out some of the links provided in the footnotes below, some of which will take you to articles & videos that have been put together by Christian scholars who have more melanin in their skin than I have in mine, if that helps to add any credibility to the answer they would give to the main question that is under consideration in this article. Continue reading A White Man’s Religion? →

A Blow at the Root

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A BLOW AT THE ROOT

Or,

CHRIST STABBED IN THE HOUSE OF HIS FRIENDS[1]

by

John Wesley

(b. June 28, 1703 – d. March 2, 1791)

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“Judas, betrayest thou the Son of Man with a kiss?” — Luke 22:48.

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1. “Without holiness no man shall see the Lord.” Nothing under heaven can be more sure than this; “for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. And though heaven and earth pass away, yet His word shall not pass away.” As well therefore might God fall from heaven, as His word fall to the ground [Heb 12:14; Micah 4:4; Matt 5:18]. No, it cannot be; none shall live with God, except those who now live to God; none shall enjoy the glory of God in heaven, except those who bear the image of God on earth; none who are not saved from sin here can be saved from hell hereafter; none can see the kingdom of God above, unless the kingdom of God be in them below. Whosoever will reign with Christ in heaven, must have Christ reigning in them on earth. They must have that mind in them “which was also in Christ Jesus,” enabling them “to walk as Christ also walked” [Phil 2:5; 1 Jn 2:6]. Continue reading A Blow at the Root →

Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching

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The “public domain” translation of St. Irenaeus’ Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching (written c. 190 A.D.) that is given below has been revised to be more “reader/user friendly.” Irenaeus gives us a brief Christian exposition of Old Testament prophecy, and he is much indebted to Justin Martyr (see Justin’s First Apology and Dialogue with Trypho). However, Irenaeus has also developed Justin’s thoughts in some slightly different ways. For example, Irenaeus interprets “Wisdom” (Prov 8) as being the Holy Spirit, thus showing a degree of independence in putting forth some different interpretations. Yet, Irenaeus is clearly borrowing from the same tradition that Justin knew. Irenaeus also gives some slightly different interpretations here in The Demonstration, from the interpretations that he gave of those same passages in his earlier work in Against Heresies. For example, in para. 2 below, Irenaeus says that it was the pre-incarnate Christ who spoke to Moses in Exodus 3:14, whereas in Against Heresies, Book 3, chap 6, para. 2, he seems to say it was God the Father who spoke to Moses in Exodus 3:14. Another writer that Irenaeus might be indebted to is Theophilus of Antioch (Theophilus to Autolycus), who may be the earliest writer on record to use the word “Trinity,” (or “Triad”) and who also, at times, at least implies that “Wisdom” is the Holy Spirit, but then at other times says that “Wisdom” is the Son. Continue reading Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching →

The Clear New Testament Passages On Divorce & Remarriage

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Everywhere we turn it seems that marriages are falling apart. There was a time when those in the church were the least likely to divorce but today, with the law allowing one spouse to divorce the other for no reason at all, both Christian and non-Christian alike have become susceptible to the heartbreak of divorce. With the increase in the American divorce rate has also come an increase in the remarriage rate. Does it matter if one remarries after a divorce? Most will tell you that it doesn’t and even encourage people who have experienced a failed marriage to seek another one in order to fill the void that came with the first break-up. With so many people choosing to remarry and so many encouraging remarriage it could not hurt at all to see what the New Testament says about this subject. Continue reading The Clear New Testament Passages On Divorce & Remarriage →

Was Jesus a Friend of Sinners?

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Was Jesus a Friend of Sinners?

By James P. Shelly

“You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.” (John 15:14)

We read in 1 Corinthians 15:33, “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.‘” The Greek word rendered “company” means, association, conversation, companionship, intercourse, or communion. We are here taught that evil companionships, or “friendships” with the ungodly, will have a destructive influence on our moral behavior. There is a direct correlation between a person’s character and the company he keeps. Few would disagree, even in the unbelieving world, that such is undoubtedly the case. It is, therefore, a common practice among loving parents to forbid their children from being friends with other children whom they think would be a bad influence. Would we expect our heavenly Father to have any less concern for His beloved children and not prohibit them from friendship with sinners? We read in Proverbs 13:20, “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.” We read in 2 Corinthians 6:14, “…what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? …Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?” If Jesus was a friend and companion of sinners would He not, according to these and many other passages, be living contrary to Scripture and setting a dangerous and perilous example for his followers? Continue reading Was Jesus a Friend of Sinners? →

Nonresistance & Politics in the N.T.

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The Related Ideas of Patriotic Nationalism, Militarism, Violence, Retaliation, Refusal to Bear the Cross or Endure Suffering, the Active Seeking and Holding of Worldly Power and Focusing on the Things of This World in General. Are These Things in Harmony with the Way of the New Covenant or with Following Christ and the Teachings Contained in the New Testament?

Consider the Implications of the Scriptures Given Below: Continue reading Nonresistance & Politics in the N.T. →

The Value of Remembering Our Sins

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On the Value of Remembering Our Sins (according to John Chrysostom)

Anyone who is truly repentant should never forget their own sins. While it is good & proper for repentant souls to beg God not to remember their sins, it is beneficial for us to always remember them—for as long as we are in this life. For if we humble ourselves now by purposely & regularly calling our sins to mind, then God will purposely forget our sins on Judgment Day. Therefore, let us not be squeamish about exacting punishment from ourselves by remembering our sins. Let us accuse ourselves, and in this way, we shall propitiate the Judge. For sin that is confessed becomes less, but sin that is not confessed becomes worse. For if a person adds shamelessness & ingratitude to their pile of past sins, then how will such a person—who has purposely forgotten that they used to indulge in sin—be at all able to guard themselves from falling back again into the same sort of evils? Continue reading The Value of Remembering Our Sins →

Look Out for Each Other’s Souls

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John Chrysostom Exhorts the Laity to Look Out for Each Other’s Souls

(rather than leaving the entire responsibility for this in the hands of the clergy)

While speaking to the laity about their responsibility to watch out for each other, i.e. to edify & comfort one another, as well as to reprove & exhort each other, Chrysostom says…

If you were willing to do such spiritual work, you would have more success with each other than we [clergy] can have. For you spend more time with each other, and you know more than we [clergy] do about what is going on in each other’s lives. You know more about each other’s failings, and you have more freedom of speech, love & intimacy. These are no small advantages when it comes to teaching someone, but are great openings for moments of timely teaching. Therefore, you will be more able than we [clergy] both to reprove and to exhort. You also have an advantage in that I [John Chrysostom] am only one person, whereas you are many–and you will be able to be teachers. Because of these things, I implore you: do not ‘neglect this gift’ (1 Tim 4:14). Each one of you has a wife, a friend, a servant, a neighbor; if you love them, then reprove & exhort them. Continue reading Look Out for Each Other’s Souls →