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An Examination of Conditional Immortality (Part One)

...ey had no wisdom. […] for wrath destroys the foolish man, and envy killeth him that is in error.— Clement of Rome, 1 Clement, chap. 39 Ignatius of Antioch, another early bishop, writing around AD 107, sent a letter to the Ephesian church to teach against heresy. He used similar language found in the Biblical texts of “everlasting fire”, but also speaks in such a way that suggests the wicked will “perish” if they haven’t received the immortality which Christ breathed into his Church: [False teachers] shall go away into everlasting fire, and so shall every one that hearkens unto him. […] For this end did the Lord suffer the ointment to be poured...

The World's Oldest Anti-Christian Meme

...han human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength” (1 Corinthians 1:25). The cross isn’t an unfortunate PR problem to be managed. It is, Paul insists, the very power of God. The thing that looks like weakness is the hinge of all of history. That’s a scandalous claim. It was scandalous then, and still is even today for many people. The Bit I Didn’t Know Here’s where it gets really interesting. In another room of the same building, someone else by a different hand, a different ‘pen’, scratched their own inscription. In a mixture of Greek and Latin, it reads: ΑΛΕΞΑΜΕΝΟϹ FIDELIS Alexamenos is faithful. Or: Ale...

Did Jesus lead the first youth group?

...he divine wisdom in entrusting responsibility to those seasoned by both life and faith. I am especially reminded of Paul’s encouragement to Timothy in this regard: 1 Timothy 4:12“Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” As we come to see the connections between Exodus 30:14 and Matthew 17:24–27, we gain a nuanced perspective on discipleship — one that appreciates the diverse ages and stages within the community following the footsteps of the Messiah.  I hope that this may encourage you in your faith if you are young still, or if you are a youth leader or pastor that...

Biblical Inspiration and the Canon: How We Got the Bible

...The Bible is often described as “God-breathed,” a phrase taken from 2 Timothy 3:16: “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” But what does it mean for Scripture to be “inspired,” and how did the books of the Bible come to be recognised as part of the canon — the authoritative collection of writings that make up the Bible? Were they really “decided” at the Council of Nicaea, as some popular myths claim? Table of Contents Understanding Biblical Inspiration What is the Canon? The Septuagint and the Deuterocanonical Books How Were the Books of the Bi...

David, Saul, And How We Respond To Broken Leadership

...humility, wisdom, and courage. But more than anything, it calls for trust — trust that God’s justice will prevail in his time and his way. We are invited into a revolution of love: one that is big enough to set both the oppressed and the oppressors free! In a world desperate for change, will we be Davids — people who resist without hate, who confront without violence, and who trust in the Lord with all our hearts? I've also created a youth group resource based on this article for you to use as a discussion point. Feel free to download and use it in your small groups and churches: Youth Talk Sheet: David, Saul, and Responding to Broken Leadershi...