Category Archives: Theology

And so the church is just like the surrounding community? I mean, are there boundaries? Faith is the boundary. So is possession of the Spirit. But the question is deeper than that, much deeper. After all, God intends for us … Continue reading →

I think I understand, but this stuff about “mission” and “community” bothers me. It’s probably pretty much true, but doesn’t that mean we have to exclude the lost from our fellowship? And I’ve been reading some evangelism literature that urges … Continue reading →

You’re out of your mind, you know. That sounds all nice and wonderful, but it’s not real. Real is my church, and it’s miserable. We get along, but that’s about it. It’s a pain and a burden. I understand everything … Continue reading →

But God’s desire that we be organized in congregations — assemblies patterned after the covenant-making assemblies of the Israelites in the desert — is also about “love one another.” You see, it all fits together. We cannot love strangers, not in any … Continue reading →

So why do you suppose God set things up that way? You know, why set up his Kingdom in congregations that love each other in that way? Why not just be Christians individually and serve as the Spirit leads? Why … Continue reading →

I’m not sure if this is related, you know, but I think it might be. In Bible class the other day, we were studying 1 John, where John repeatedly tells his readers to love “one another.” But in other places, … Continue reading →

You said something about God giving believers crowns and making them kings. Are you kidding? I’ve never heard such a thing! Are you sure you aren’t taking some very symbolic language all too literally? After all, if Jesus is the … Continue reading →

I’m beginning to get it, I think, but it still seems that God could save the righteous unbeliever if he so chose. First, I deny that there is such a thing. No one is righteous — not in the sense … Continue reading →

So I’m starting to get it, but it’s not entirely sinking in. Are you saying that salvation has to be by faith because only faith in Jesus can produce the relationship that God craves? I didn’t say that, actually, but … Continue reading →

Well, you’ve said a lot about faith, but I’m still waiting for the answer to my question: Why faith in Jesus? Sorry for being so long winded, but faith seems very arbitrary unless you understand what faith really is. I … Continue reading →