Some thoughts on Theological Debate from Galatians

I will be studying and teaching through the book of Galatians during the summer. As I work through the book I plan to share observations and thoughts.

Paul, an apostle— not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—and all the brothers who are with me,

To the churches of Galatia (Gal 1:1-2 ESV)

Apostle Paul (painting by Andrei Rublev)

Apostle Paul (painting by Andrei Rublev)

Paul wrote the letter to the Galatians in order to deal with some teachers who arrived some time after he left. These teachers were distorting the gospel that Paul had preached and had introduced the churches to the idea that “real” Christians must be circumcised and follow the Mosaic Law. Their teaching had persuaded many in the church to adopt this view. Continue reading

The Five Act Hermeneutic (Scripture and the Authority of God by N.T. Wright)

This is part 6  of the series blogging through the book Scripture and the Authority of God by N.T. Wright. You might want to start with part 1 and work your way through the series.

N.T. Wright on Colbert Report

Wright (and this series) started off posing the following questions:

  • If Jesus has authority, what do we mean by authority?
  • How does Jesus exercise His authority through the Bible?
  • Since the Bible is mostly narrative, how can a story be authoritative?

Wright also posed the problem that whenever we go to the scriptures to dig out ‘timeless truths’ rather than the ‘story’ we run the risk of letting something else possess the “real” authority. As he chronicles the various hermeneutic approaches throughout church history (chapters 3 through 6) he unpacks what that something else is: Continue reading

More signs you may be a Zombie

You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. – Jesus

The zombies are not just in Sardis, but apparently Ephesus has been affected as well. Based on the information from that location here are a few more warning signs that you may be a zombie. Be sure to examine yourself. If you are new to the land of the undead you may want to check out these signs before progressing any further.

Plants v Zombies

Plants v Zombies (PopCap)

  • Mindless Wandering

Zombies are known for their mindless lumbering through the streets and lands seeking their next victim. They have no direction in life except to satisfy their own passions and desires for brains. As they wander about there is no consideration or compassion for others. There clearly is an outbreak in Ephesus Continue reading