Resources by Topic: Doctrine and Theology

You are correct to observe that often the imagery of being in or outside of a city wall means the difference between being in relationship or not. In the Gospels, study out "cast into outer darkness" and what that means, in regard to the walls and gates of a walled city. And look just how big the walls of this city are! The city is secure from the evil ones.

In verse 9 it says God "exalted and gave" a name. The Greek tense is what is called an aorist, in the indicative mood, "past time, in a point of time". So this verse says God has already given and exalted with the name.

Question from a reader: What book would you recommend on authorial intent? And have you heard of The Ungospel? One of my professors at my Christian college recommended it.

I’m simply pointing out what the secular-slogan and the biblical verse have in common—the recognition that there are consequences for every choice, whether good or bad.

Question from a reader: Should we use the Hebrew name for God, YHWH (Yahweh), out of respect for Him, since it’s used in the Old Testament?

I don't believe hell is in the center of the earth. I think it doesn't exist in this dimension, but in one outside of our own, and therefore is not located inside the earth. It's very real, as Heaven is, but as far as I can tell from Scripture, it is not located within the confines of the physical universe we know.

I hear good things about G.K. Beale’s The Erosion of Inerrancy in Evangelicalism: Responding to New Challenges to Biblical Authority, and I like other things he's done. 

I took a quick look at the site [you mentioned] and am very uncomfortable with it. It claims to be "A prophetic overview of what must shortly come to pass." What MUST shortly come to pass?

I’ve said before that one of my delights is exploring the vast reservoir of sermons by Charles Haddon Spurgeon. I came across one called “The Mighty Arm.” 

Listen to Randy Alcorn talk on the Bob Dutko show about the changing meaning of "evangelical."      

In this audio clip, Randy Alcorn talks about God's holiness being so stunning that even powerful and sinless angels are amazed.

In this audio clip, Randy Alcorn talks about how an idea that seems like a solution to the problem of suffering, brings its own set of problems that must be examined.

In many conversations over the last few years I’ve said to people, “If God had given me a vote on whether or not there is a hell, honestly I would have voted against it. But that is not a point of pride, it is a confession."

I’m writing this while returning from ICRS, the annual Christian book convention. I’m sitting in the Atlanta airport, reflecting on some of my conversations the past four days.