Pelagianism is a theological doctrine that was condemned as heresy by the early Christian church. It is named after Pelagius, a British monk who lived in the late 4th and early 5th centuries AD. Here is a 9000 word overview explaining what Pelagianism teaches and why it was rejected by mainstream Christianity: At its core, Pelagianism promotes the idea that human beings have complete free will to choose between good and evil and to earn salvation through their own efforts and merits, without the need for God’s grace. Pelagius rejected the doctrine of original sin and believed that Adam’s sin…
Author: Emma Price
The concept of apostolic succession relates to the idea that authority, teaching, and grace were passed down from the apostles to bishops and leaders of the early church. This authority and succession was considered important for defending orthodox Christian teaching against heresy and false doctrine. The Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Old Catholic, and Anglican churches view apostolic succession as an important component in their structure and teaching. However, not all Christian denominations accept the doctrine of apostolic succession. Many Protestant groups believe authority comes from Scripture alone rather than a direct lineage traced back to the apostles. Examining…
Open theism is a theological perspective that holds that God’s omniscience is limited in some way and that God does not have exhaustive foreknowledge of the future. The “open” in open theism refers to the idea that the future is open and not settled in all respects. There are several key ideas in open theism: God’s Foreknowledge is Limited Open theists argue that complete divine foreknowledge of all future events is incompatible with human free will. If God knows everything that will happen in the future, human choices are already settled and determined. This compromises genuine freedom. Therefore, open theists…
Hillsong Church is a global mega-church originating from Sydney, Australia that has expanded to multiple locations around the world. It has become well-known for its contemporary worship music and high-production services. However, there has been ongoing debate among Christians about whether Hillsong teaches sound biblical doctrine and adheres closely to Scripture. Here is an in-depth look at some of the key issues surrounding Hillsong and an analysis from a biblical perspective: Prosperity Gospel One of the most frequent criticisms leveled against Hillsong is that it promotes a “prosperity gospel” – the teaching that God wants believers to be materially wealthy…
The Bible has a lot to say about resilience, which is the ability to withstand and recover from difficult circumstances. Here is an overview of some key biblical themes related to resilience: 1. Relying on God gives strength in hard times The Bible encourages turning to God for help in difficult situations rather than relying solely on one’s own strength. Passages like Isaiah 40:29-31 note how God renews and strengthens those who wait on Him. In the New Testament, Paul writes about finding strength through Christ when facing hardships (Philippians 4:13). Leaning on God helps build resilience. 2. Developing perseverance…
Pantheism is the belief that God and the universe are identical. Pantheists believe that God is everything, and everything is God. This differs from traditional theism which holds that God created the universe but remains distinct from it. Pantheism denies a personal, anthropomorphic conception of God and instead equates God with nature and existence itself. The Bible does not explicitly use the term “pantheism,” but it contains perspectives that relate to some pantheistic ideas. Overall, the Bible presents a theistic worldview where God is the eternal, self-existent Creator who transcends the physical universe. However, there are a few biblical passages…
The Bible has a lot to say about the topic of shyness and being shy. Shyness can be defined as feeling awkward, worried, or tense during social encounters, especially with unfamiliar people. It involves a fear of negative judgment, embarrassment, and awkwardness. This often leads shy people to avoid social situations and refrain from sharing their thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and talents. While the Bible does not directly use the word “shy,” it addresses many aspects of this common struggle. By exploring relevant biblical principles, promises, and examples, we can better understand God’s perspective on shyness. God understands our weaknesses The…
A threshing floor in the Bible was an area where grains like wheat and barley were processed after harvest. It was a flat, hard surface where the grain was separated from the stalks and husks. This was typically done by spreading the grain out and having oxen walk over it or dragging heavy objects like sledges across it. The threshing floor was an important part of ancient agriculture and is mentioned numerous times in the Bible. Purpose and Process of Threshing The purpose of threshing was to loosen the edible part of the grain from the stalks and chaff that…
The Upper Room Discourse refers to Jesus’ final teachings to His disciples on the night before His crucifixion. This teaching session took place in an upper room in Jerusalem and is recorded in John 13-17. The Upper Room Discourse contains some of Jesus’ most significant teachings to His disciples about His imminent death, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and the disciples’ mission going forward. Some key elements of the Upper Room Discourse include: Jesus washing His disciples’ feet and commanding them to follow His example of humble service (John 13:1-17) Jesus predicting His betrayal by Judas Iscariot (John 13:18-30)…
The apostle Paul was an instrumental figure in the early Christian church. He went on three missionary journeys to spread the gospel and wrote a significant portion of the New Testament. However, the Bible does not directly state Paul’s age at the time of his death. Based on clues from Scripture and historical context, scholars estimate that Paul was likely between 62 and 68 years old when he died. Paul’s birth date is unknown, but we can estimate his age based on a few key details from Acts and Paul’s letters: Paul was “young” at the stoning of Stephen (Acts…