The Bible in Context
First century Jews were expecting something big to happen. We see this in Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth: Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. (Lk 2:25 NIV) There was also a prophet, Anna, … Read more
After 2,000 years scholars are still uncovering biblical treasures. For example, in Rethinking the Atonement, David Moffitt conveys important insights on the concept of atonement in Scripture. What is atonement? An atoning sacrifice is an offering that restores our broken relationship with God. In brief, atonement means reconciliation between God and humans. The Sacrificial Process … Read more
*The text below has been revised and included in Suprised by Hell. I hope this journey has not given you the wrong impression. We have spent a lot of time on one topic, but that doesn’t mean it is central to the Christian faith. Karl Barth (1886–1968), who some consider to be the greatest theologian … Read more
Arriving at your own view is important, but Christianity is not merely an individualistic faith. Official statements or creeds help us understand what major groups of believers have thought about many topics through the centuries. What do these public declarations reveal about final judgment? Originating in the 2nd century, the Apostles’ Creed corresponds with what … Read more
Have you ever felt like you were forgetting something but couldn’t figure out what you were missing? We have explored three main views on the destiny of evildoers, but we have missed something: Who are the wicked? Who goes to the everlasting prison, or the incinerator, or the refinery? (Yes, things get confusing when trying … Read more