The Old Testament portrayal of God often evokes images of wrath, judgment, and fear. Many people in the modern Western world—where people actually respect social boundaries and rules—find it difficult to reconcile this image with the God of love and grace presented in the New Testament. However, understanding the historical …

If you have followed me long enough, you have probably noticed two things. First, I emphasize love and grace in a way that really annoys some types of religious people. Second, I have developed the same “Matthew 23 style” of antagonistic chutzpah against religious legalism. This is because, ever since …

Themes of infidelity, adultery, and betrayal are common in stories, movies, songs, and novels, reflecting their presence in human history, as also depicted in biblical narratives. However, the heinous acts of religious leaders, including pastors, priests, and rabbis, involving the sexual abuse of women and children are utterly demonic. In …

The phrase “by faith alone” is frequently cited within Evangelicalism, but its interpretation varies significantly between its two main theological camps (Arminianism vs. Calvinism). In fact, I would say that “by faith alone” is nothing more than a placebo in most of Western Christian theology. What do I mean? On …

As a native Hebrew speaker, I recall the first time I read an English translation of the Hebrew Bible and noticed significant differences in some sections. This experience was echoed during my Koine Greek classes, where I saw how translations could diverge greatly from the original text and each other. …

C.S. Lewis, one of the most influential Christian apologists of the 20th century, is renowned for his profound theological insights and literary contributions. Despite his broad influence within Christian thought, Lewis held specific theological positions that set him apart from other traditions, particularly Calvinism. For instance, C.S. Lewis’s theology is …

Well, perhaps not “most Christians,” but certainly most Protestants (Calvinists, Baptists, Evangelicals, Pentecostals, etc.) and most Catholics. Historically, this overlook made them develop their Theories of Atonement pretty late in the game, disregarding the earlier teachings of the Church Fathers.1 The Models of Atonement held by both the Catholic and …

Throughout history, scholars and theologians have presented various interpretations to define ‘sin’ and ‘original sin.’ One influential perspective is that of Augustine (354–430), which was later picked up and promoted by Calvin and Luther, who believed that humans are born with a “Destination: Hell” imprinted due to the sin of …

Imagine explaining to your child that because they are not perfect, you must take them to the backyard, tie them to a tree, and burn them in a fire. However, because you also love them, you decide to burn the dog instead. Your logic, as you explain to your confused …

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.”. Genesis 1:31 In our quest to comprehend the intricate subtleties of religious texts, we often grapple with abstract concepts that defy easy understanding. One such notion is the distinction between “good” and “perfect,” especially when considered within the realm …