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BOOK REVIEW: Four Views on Hell 2nd edition

...Burk next quotes Jude 7 & 13 to appeal to the phraseology ‘eternal fire’ and ‘blackest darkness’, although ‘eternal fire’ reveals its own divine origin, not necessarily an unending conflagration; as Parry quips: “The need for caution is illustrated by the ‘eternal fire’ (puros aiôniou) of Sodom’s punishment (Jude 7), which – contra Burk – did not burn forever.” (Parry, Four Views, 51) Sprinkle is also critical of Burk’s interpretation: “Burk’s use of Jude 7 is particularly curious. Jude offers the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah – not their torment – as an example of what will happen to the ungodly…You can rea...

The Relationship Between Jesus and Sophia

...many more quotes from them here. I shall give you another testimony, my friends,” said I, “from the Scriptures, that God begat before all creatures a Beginning, [who was] a certain rational power [proceeding] from Himself, who is called by the Holy Spirit, now the Glory of the Lord, now the Son, again Wisdom, again an Angel, then God, and then Lord and Logos … – Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho, 61 But if, in your surpassing intelligence, it occurs to you to inquire what is meant by the Son, I will state briefly that He is the first product of the Father, not as having been brought into existence [i.e. not ex níhilo, out of nothing] for from the...

The Historic Practice of Abortion and How Ancient Christians Responded

...ee by the quotes and dates of when they were written, the high view of the sanctity of life and its relation to being made in the image of God has been the cornerstone of Christian belief for the last 2000 years. Even longer if you take into account Judaism’s history, too. So it should come as no surprise that even today, Christians generally oppose the practice of abortion and its legality, and have despised modern laws in favour of it, such as the recently overturned Roe v Wade in the United States. There’s a lot more that could be said about the uniquely American situation, and how the country needs better social support to go alongside this decision, bu...

A Journey Through Church History

...and some quotes from reviewers to give you an overview of its content: Take a journey through the first 400 years of Church History in only 40 days! Over the course of this reading plan you will read extracts and commentary on 23 different early Church texts from a selection of some of the most influential Church Fathers: Didache, Diognetus, Polycarp, Ignatius, Justin Martyr, Cyprian, Athanasius, Cyril of Jerusalem, Ambrose of Milan, and Leo the Great. These people who came before us, those great men of faith, many of whom suffered persecution and martyrdom to preserve the Church and Christ’s mission, bridge the gap between the Bible and the present day....

Support Israel? OK, which Israel?

...put a few quotes to make the point, but you can read more here about what they had to say, and by looking at the links at the end of this article for more info. We refrain from making war on our enemies, and [we] cannot bear to see a man killed, even if killed justly. — Justin Martyr He who holds the sword must cast it away and that if one of the faithful becomes a soldier, he must be rejected by the Church, for he has scorned God. — Clement of Alexandria For even if soldiers came to John and received advice on how to act, and even if a centurion became a believer, the Lord, in subsequently disarming Peter, disarmed every soldier....

The Coming of Jesus: The Olivet Discourse – Part 2

...ome large quotes here from Josephus, documenting the destruction of the temple. It might seem a bit lengthy, but I thought it would be worth it in order to help in understanding just how great and terrible this Day really was! Then one of the soldiers, without awaiting any orders and with no dread of so momentous a deed, but urged on by some supernatural force, snatched a blazing piece of wood and, climbing on another soldier's back, hurled the flaming brand through a low golden window that gave access, on the north side, to the rooms that surrounded the sanctuary. As the flames shot up, the Jews let out a shout of dismay that matched the tragedy; they flocke...