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History and Religion

2023-09-21T09:56:06-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

How Can a God of Love Also Have Wrath? Part 4

Last updated on: September 21, 2023 at 9:56 am By Al Baker

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God of Love and Wrath In the previous sections I offered evidence illustrating that primitive Christianity presented God with love and mercy, but also with wrath, judgment and personal accountability. Part 2: Evidence from the New Testament God is presented as love [1 John 4:8]. Jesus gives clear teachings about the love and forgiveness of our heavenly Father. However, there are also numerous clear passages where Jesus speaks of (or illustrates in a parable) wrath, judgment and a final accountability.... Read more

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2023-09-21T09:53:24-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

How Can a God of Love Also Have Wrath? Part 3

Last updated on: September 21, 2023 at 9:53 am By Al Baker

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Fire is used many times by Jesus and other NT Writers as a metaphor of judgment. Photo: Pexels.com | Frank Cone The Witness of the Apostolic Fathers In Part 2 we looked at the evidence from the parables and sayings of Jesus pointing to some kind of final judgment. We also briefly looked at the evidence from the NT letters. Several texts from the epistles use the same language and tone found in the parables. In this section I want... Read more

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2023-06-18T08:33:58-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

How Can a God of Love Also Have Wrath? Part 2

Last updated on: June 18, 2023 at 8:33 am By Al Baker

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The Wrath of God is sometimes depicted by dark and ominous clouds. Photo: Pexels.com | Pixabay The Words of Jesus… and the New Testament Writers In Part 1 we read about “the wrath of the Lamb” in John’s Revelation. Jesus is the Passover Lamb and in the Revelation He shares in displaying God’s wrath. In this section I want to share from the New Testament (NT) without using the apocalyptic book of Revelation. First I will focus on the words... Read more

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wrath of god

2023-09-21T09:38:58-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

How Can a God of Love Also Have Wrath?

Last updated on: September 21, 2023 at 9:38 am By Al Baker

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The love of God is what motivates me. But…I read about God’s wrath in the Bible. Does the God of Love also present Himself with wrath? The Psalms have been used throughout Christian history. It is the most quoted “book” of the Old Testament by Jesus and the New Testament writers. The primitive church appears to have used the Psalms in their worship. I have read through the Psalms more than 10 times, but have never spent time looking closely... Read more

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2023-09-21T09:50:09-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Is Individualism in Christianity a Bad Thing? Part 4

Last updated on: September 21, 2023 at 9:50 am By Al Baker

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This is Part 4 of a presentation on Christian individualism. In the first three sections I offered historical evidence of robust individualism in the first four centuries of church history. Although I am not defending individualism, I disagree with modern theologians who blame “western” culture for individualism in the Christian faith. The evidence shows that Christianity has always included a bias towards individual faith and practice. In this conclusion I will offer some comments showing the balance between personal Christian... Read more

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2023-09-21T09:49:08-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Is “Western” Christian Individualism a Bad Thing? Part 3

Last updated on: September 21, 2023 at 9:49 am By Al Baker

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This is Part 3 of a presentation giving evidence of robust individualism (personal forgiveness) in early church history. This evidence shows that the “western” world did NOT lead Christianity into individualism. I disagree with modern theologians who claim that rampant individualism in the Christian faith is a “western” invention. Christianity has always had a strong pull towards individualism. In the first section I offered evidence from the New Testament for personal forgiveness. In Part 2 we saw evidence of a... Read more

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2023-04-15T11:51:21-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Is “Western” (American) Individualism in the Christian Faith a Bad Thing? – Part 2

Last updated on: April 15, 2023 at 11:51 am By Al Baker

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This is Part 2 of my response to two great scholars, Krister Stendahl and N.T. Wright. Both made critical comments about how “western” individualism has negatively affected a proper reading of Jesus and Paul. Recently I read a comment by an Asian Christian scholar claiming that seeking revival is “an American phenomenon.” I decided to throw my hat into the ring as an Early Church historian to show how Christianity has always had a strong pull towards individualism.... Read more

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2023-03-29T10:43:48-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Is “Western” Individualism in the Christian Faith a Bad Thing?

Last updated on: March 29, 2023 at 10:43 am By Al Baker

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Two great theologians I read have made critical comments about modern “western” individualism in Christianity. Krister Stendahl (Paul Among Jews and Gentiles) and N.T. Wright (The Challenge of Jesus and Jesus and the Victory of God). I have benefited from both of these theologians, but I disagree with their critical comments about “western” individualism (I think they are both mainly talking about American Christianity). The recent Asbury Revival has also triggered some negative attacks on individualism. Recently an Indonesian theologian... Read more

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