There’s a very simple bit of theology that the church in general doesn’t seem to have caught onto yet: According to the Bible, we can do whatever we want to do (1 Corinthians 6:12). Does the Bible really tell us we’re free to sin? Yes, technically it does. We can lie, cheat, steal, and even…
Just because it's "orthodox" doesn't mean it's true
Category Archives: grace
Dialogue With an Evangelical: The Movie
Three years ago, I shared a little dialogue between myself and a random evangelical on the subjects of hell and Christian Universalism. For the fun of it, I decided to make up a short video of that discussion using those talking bears I’ve been seeing around the web over the last few months. It seems to…
The Christian Religion is a Failure
This might come as a shock to some, but the Christian religion can’t help you. It won’t help you live a better life. It won’t bring you peace of mind. It won’t even help you get to heaven. In fact, odds are it will do just the opposite. Sure, it’s got its benefits (well, depending…
Why We Should Keep The Law Out Of The Courtroom
If the Old Testament law was created to get people to sin more rather than less, as Romans chapter 5 appears to tell us it was, then it seems to me that the people who want the 10 Commandments posted in or around court houses and schools are actually encouraging sin rather than discouraging it….
We Are All Innocent
Those who know me well know that I don’t believe in free will, or at least that I think it’s the biggest misnomer there is, philosophically and theologically speaking. Every person alive is a victim of their genetics and past experiences. In other words, every choice we make is predetermined by our nurture and nature….
Dialogue With an Evangelical – Part 1: Hell
The following is a dialogue between myself and “Bob,” an Evangelical Christian, about the subject of hell: Bob: Hi, I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions. Me: Sure, why not? What’s up? Bob: If you were to die today, do you know for sure where you’d end up? Me: Creepy question,…
TULIP
Believe it or not, I find that there is quite a bit in Calvinism to agree with, particularly their take on free will. There are a couple points where we disagree though, what with me being a Christian Universalist and all, so I thought I’d give my Universalist take on TULIP: 1. Total Depravity/Total Grace:…
How to be Free From Sin…
Martin Zender, a friend of mine from the US, has put out his latest book, How to be Free From Sin While Smoking a Cigarette, and I just can’t recommend it enough. This is the book for people with weaknesses on what God thinks about our sin. Here are a few excerpts from the book:…
Christianity is Not a Religion
Regarding my Salvations? entry, a friend commented on the similarity of the post to a couple of chapters in the writings of Robert Farrar Capon. Father Capon is an Episcopal priest, chef, author and my favorite contemporary theologian, and that entry was indeed inspired by his writings. Some of his works include: – The Mystery…
Salvations?
Lector: In the last post here it was pointed out that if there is anything at all that we have to do to “get right with God,” even if it is simply “trusting Jesus,” then salvation would be by work and not grace as it would be a transaction between us and God. So how…
