Conformity (The End of the Empire 6)

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.  Ephesians 4:4-6  NASB One faith – Theological orthodoxy contributed to the collapse of Roman civilization.  In this respect,…

The Middle of the Bridge (3)

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!  As we have said before, even now I say again: if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!  Galatians 1:8-9  NASB…

Inventing Difference

“But I confess this to you, that in accordance with the Way, which they call a sect, I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and is written in the Prophets;”  Acts 24:14 NASB Sect – Unless you read the Greek text you’d never know that the word Paul…

The Invention of Heresy

For there also have to be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you. 1 Corinthians 11:19  NASB Factions – Paul uses the Greek term haíresis a few times in his letters.  Today we think he’s writing about false doctrines.  We transliterate the Greek as heresy, by which we mean something…

A Matter of Opinion

But false prophets also appeared among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.  2 Peter 2:1  NASB Heresies – “Don’t call me a heretic until I am one.”  That’s usually my approach to slanderous claims about what I believe and…

Orthodoxy (3)

make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.  Philippians 2:2  NASB Being of the same mind – What do you suppose Paul means with the plea “by being of the same mind”?  Are we to read this as “thinking the same things”?  Or…

Orthodoxy (2)

So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.  2 Thessalonians 2:15  NASB Traditions – Since the question of the authority of the Bible is so important to our faith, it’s worth taking the time to investigate once more Craig…

Orthodoxy (1)

So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.  2 Thessalonians 2:15  NASB Traditions –  Craig Allert’s book, A High View of Scripture?, goes a long way toward settling the mythology of an early Christian canon of the New Testament. …