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Before The Pumpkins: Faith In The Flames

...efused to curse his King. The Roman stadium of Smyrna, located on the slopes of Mount Pagos, fully excavated in 2014. (Source) A Disciple of the Apostles Polycarp was no obscure figure on the fringes of history. Born around AD 69, he lived at the very hinge between the apostolic age and the developing life of the Church. Tradition tells us that he was a disciple of the Apostle John, friend and fellow bishop with Ignatius of Antioch, and a mentor to another great bishop — Irenaeus of Lyons. Through Polycarp, we stand just one generation away from the eyewitnesses of Jesus Himself. He served faithfully as bishop of Smyrna (modern-day Izmir, Turke...

The World's Oldest Anti-Christian Meme

...r God’s curse, which meant a crucified Messiah didn’t merely seem unlikely; by the Law’s own terms, he appeared theologically disqualified. Paul addresses this head-on in Galatians 3:13, arguing that Christ became the curse on our behalf. He doesn’t sidestep the stumbling block; he walks straight into it and reframes everything. It’s worth noting too that our English word “scandal” traces directly back through Latin and Old French to skandalon — so every time someone calls something scandalous, they’re unknowingly reaching back to a Greek word for a snare and stumbling block, and beyond that, to the offence of the cross itself. Messiahs don...

Was there death before the Fall?

...edge. The curse on the woman was to increase her pain too, not create pain (another misconception about the Fall - a life without pain seems to be more dangerous than with it!). In light of this, it seems to me like death and pain did exist from the start as a part of the original creation, but that maybe we could withstand pain better or that God was going to allow immortality to all in some way too, since it would appear our lifespan's were much greater originally (see Gen 5:3 for example). Spiritual death would also make more sense in the context of this, as our newfound wisdom and knowledge which made humans "become like" God (Gen 3:22) and that then pro...

Lent Day 25: Athanasius: Life of Anthony: Chaps. 41-50

...ly” and curse him “hourly”, to which Anthony simply asks him, 'then why do you bother them in the first place if you don't want to be blamed for it?'.  Maybe this is what inspired the Rolling Stones song title Sympathy for the Devil (sorry, couldn't help myself!). Satan then goes on to say that there's no point in cursing him so much since he doesn't have as much power as people think, and then goes on to quote Psalm 9 saying, “I have become weak. Have they not read” the Scriptures? Psalms 9:6The swords of the enemy have come to an end, and you have destroyed the cities? “I have no longer a place, a weapon, a city. The Christians are spread...

New Covenant Israel is no longer physical (nor literal)!

...e one who curses [Israel] I will curse") and by implication, putting guilt on anyone who dares say a bad word against the nation of Israel. Yes, all the families of the earth shall be blessed — but not by national Israel, but Jesus who IS the true Israel; the one in whom all the promises to the people of Israel are found complete (2 Cor 1:19-20). It is now through faith in Jesus that we are grafted into the true Israel of God, and because of that, we are blessed! The true Israel of God now are those who believe in the promise that was given to Abraham, which was the Gospel, and not his earthly/natural descendants. Don't take my word for it thou...

David, Saul, And How We Respond To Broken Leadership

...nd do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be arrogant, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” Instead, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink, for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their he...