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Creedal Christians: The Apostle's Creed

The Apostle's creed — what is it and why is it called that? Outside of the New Testament, this is one of the oldest creeds we have, dating back to the sixth – eighth century in its current form that is commonly known today, but having its origins much earlier — as far back as the second century in a shorter form known simply as the “Old Roman Creed”. The Apostles creed is also sometimes referred to as the “Rule of Faith” as it is a summary of the Gospel and is the basis for pretty much all modern theology. The points of the creed cover all the major pillars of the Christian faith which aims to safeguard what is true orthodoxy (right belief), whic...

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

If you've read my previous two articles on Israel, then this will probably seem familiar. This is a combination of the previous two combined into one study, focussing more on who Israel is under the New Covenant rather than the geopolitical/war situation of the Middle East. So Who is Israel? No doubt what I'm about to say will cause some knee-jerk reactions, but to properly understand the New Covenant, we need to address the issue of who is Israel, Biblically speaking? Yes, there is a modern nation known as "Israel" now since 1948, but is that the same Israel of the Bible? The same Israel to whom God made his promises? If so, does that mean...

Jesus, Mithras and Ancient Roman Cults: Separating Fact from Fiction

...ology and theology | Britannica The Origins of the Mithraic Mysteries: Cosmology and Salvation in the Ancient World | Oxford Academic (oup.com) Celsus’ view of Christians and Christianity (bluffton.edu) How Early Christianity was Mocked for Welcoming Women — Canon Fodder (michaeljkruger.com) Mithraism — Wikipedia...

Unveiling the Trinity: Exploring the Nature of Jesus and the Incarnation

...Guides to theology) If you want a good, brief introduction to this topic, I recommend this book by Roger E. Olson and Christopher A. Hall: The Trinity (Guides to theology).  These early church fathers and theological developments in church history are essential in understanding how the doctrine of the Trinity evolved and was articulated in response to theological challenges. Their writings and creeds continue to be foundational for Christian theology, even today.  ...

Evidence of the Trinity in the Hebrew Scriptures

...of Jewish theology and the only means of testing it: the Hebrew Scriptures. Since so much relies on Hebrew language usage, then to the Hebrew we should turn. 1. God Is A Plurality The Name Elohim It is generally agreed that Elohim is a plural noun having the masculine plural ending “im.” The very word Elohim used of the true God in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,” is also used in Exodus 20:3, “You shall have no other gods (Elohim) before Me,” and in Deuteronomy 13:2, “…Iet us go after other gods (Elohim)…” While the use of the plural Elohim does not prove a Tri-unity, it certainly opens the door t...

Francis Chan turns towards a more historical and ancient view of Communion

...in their theology, despite avoiding any overarching labels. You could also possibly argue for maybe 20-ish denominational groups, if you accept some of the sub-sects of the six listed above as different enough to warrant being counted separately. But I digress. Chan then continues his sermon, making some more generalised historical claims: “…for 1500 years it was never one guy and his pulpit being the centre of the church, it was the body and blood of Christ…” Another area he touches on is the centrality of the Eucharist to the ancient church compared to many modern, Evangelical church services today, where it’s the speaker or sermon which is the...