Resources by Topic: Doctrine and Theology

To make one English version THE version by which to compare all other versions is an error in thinking.

In the long dark night of suffering on earth, Jesus being seen as the morning star means the eternal morning is about to dawn. Hence, Christ as the morning star is a picture of great promise and hope.

You raise some good points concerning a perhaps too casual use of the term “unconditional.” Typically a term like this is well-defined initially within a specific context, but then is repeated without the same attention to detail.

The ESV was much more thoroughly debated and uses a little better underlying New Testament Greek text.

God is good. But until we understand the truth that He is not safe, that He is not under our control, until we come to grips with the truth of His uncompromising holiness, we will never begin to grasp His amazing grace.

In any case, there is no contradiction whatsoever between God being everywhere present and for the existence of evil.

Deep is the dwelling place of God. Deep is the character of the ocean. Hold the metaphor for a moment and savor its lesson ahead of time.

Question from a reader: “If it’s true that the English Bibles we have now have some inconsistencies, what does it matter if the ‘original’ manuscripts didn’t? I don’t ask this question rhetorically, but honestly... So, then, if I trust what I have and believe what I read, and work with the text that I have to understand God, etc., more deeply and fully, is it even important what I believe about the original documents?”

This verse must be understood by taking into account the verses around it, and the book as a whole.

Parables were a form of communication that always stressed one central idea. The rest of the story is usually extraneous, merely a prop to convey the central meaning.

I can certainly identify with many of your doubts and questions regarding God’s sovereignty, our free will, etc. Although I was raised in a strong Christian family, I went through a couple of years of intense skepticism and cynicism when I was younger.

I highly recommend David Augsburger’s The Freedom of Forgiveness. Also, Philip Yancy’s What’s So Amazing about Grace?, which shows us how God’s forgiveness of us should result in our forgiveness of others. 

I contacted my pastor about using a bulletin insert regarding Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. He responded by saying “the Lord has called us to keep things simple, and focus on the Bible.” How would you respond to this?

This passage demonstrates what is often true—if we misunderstand one biblical doctrine, we will inevitably misunderstand others.