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Lent: Day 3 - Mathetes to Diognetus, pt. 2

...n of this book. There is one small detail which stood out to me near the end of the epistle, and that's when the author gives a small tidbit of information about himself by saying that the things he is teaching are not “strange to [him]” nor is it “inconsistent with right reason” because he had been, in fact, “a disciple of the Apostles” and now had become “a teacher of the Gentiles”! The use of the title “Word” throughout, and the high majestic descriptions of Jesus and the Father does have a striking resemblance to John's gospel, and so there's a possibility that this author may have been a disciple of John. There's one other thing which...

Debunking the Crusades: 5 Myths You Probably Believe

.... This book presents an in-depth, accessible narrative of the Crusades, drawing on both Christian and Muslim sources. Tyerman, Christopher. God’s War: A New History of the Crusades. Penguin, 2006. A thorough and scholarly examination of the Crusades, focusing on the complex interactions between Europe and the Near East. France, John. The Crusades and the Expansion of Catholic Christendom, 1000–1714. Routledge, 2005. This text offers a broader view of the Crusades within the context of medieval Christendom and the expansion of the Catholic Church’s influence....

From Dust to Redemption: The Meaning of Ash Wednesday

...Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a season of repentance, fasting, and preparation for Easter in the Christian calendar. It is observed by many Western Christian traditions, including the Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Communion, Lutheran churches, and some Methodist and Reformed communities. The day falls 46 days before Easter Sunday and is always on a Wednesday. Origins and Historical Development The practice of Ash Wednesday can be traced back to the early centuries of Christianity, though its formal observance developed over time. The use of ashes as a sign of repentance has deep biblical roots, appearing frequently in the Old Testament. People w...

How Old Was Jesus When He Died? A Fresh Look At The Historical Clues

...ntain the books that would be written. This is a clear reminder, even if John is being hyperbolic here: not everything was recorded. Considering that the Synoptic Gospels only mention one Passover, the number of Passovers we read about in John may not reflect the total number Jesus experienced during his ministry. They may also serve a theological point (three being a prominent number in Scripture) rather than a chronological one. Early Church Testimony: Irenaeus and the Longer Ministry In the second century, Irenaeus, bishop of Lyon and disciple of Polycarp (who had also known the Apostle John and was likely his disciple), made an interesting claim about th...

An Examination of Conditional Immortality (Part One)

...nd in the book of Revelation. I hope that you have found this study edifying, useful and eye-opening; or maybe it’s given you more questions than answers! Whichever the case, please leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts. Further Reading/Sources Four Views on Hell, by John F. Walvoord (Contributor), Zachary J. Hayes (Contributor), Clark H. Pinnock (Contributor), William Crockett (Editor), Stanley N. Gundry (Series Editor) http://michael-hawkes.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-nature-of-fire.html http://www.mercifultruth.com/the-real-hell.html https://www.ukessays.com/essays/philosophy/platos-view-on-the-souls-philosophy-essay.php https://...

Kirk Cameron And The Biblical Case For Annihilationism

...Christian conversations about hell have never been especially calm, but the recent online reaction to Kirk Cameron’s comments in favour of annihilationism has been particularly revealing. Social media has erupted with accusations of heresy, doctrinal collapse, and theological compromise.  It’s the “Rob Bell Incident” all over again (if anyone remembers that).  The infamous John Piper tweet about Rob Bell A lot of comments I saw were wondering what Ray Comfort thinks of this, as he and Kirk worked closely together in ministry for about 25 years, and while Ray wasn’t as dismissive as John Piper was of Rob Bell, he still calls out Kirk’s new vi...