Category Archives: Theology

Just Ask (Matthew 7:7-11)

Posted on June 20, 2022 by salooper57

Does God want to answer our prayers by giving us what we ask for? The answer the biblical writers give is a resounding yes. Then are the prosperity gospelers right? What about the “name it, claim it” crowd? And, if … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Faith, Prayer, Theology | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Watch Out for “Christian” Nationalism

Posted on June 18, 2022 by salooper57

Briefly defined, nationalism is an attitude that gives priority of place and standing to the nation. Nationalists subordinate other commitments to that of supporting the nation and seeking its wellbeing. This differs from patriotism, for a patriot can honor and sacrifice for their country without elevating its importance above other primary commitments. Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, In the News, Theology, Worldview and Culture | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Do Not Wait for the Last Judgment

Posted on June 11, 2022 by salooper57

In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, “For judgment I have come into the world.” Yet, later in the same Gospel, he says, “I did not come to judge the world.” Did Jesus contradict himself? Did he come to judge … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Peace with God, Theology | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The History and Mystery of the Gospel (Biblical Theology Class)

Posted on June 8, 2022 by salooper57

Did Jesus preach the gospel? Did he preach a different gospel than Paul? Was there a gospel in the Old Testament? What did Paul mean when he spoke of the mystery of the gospel? These and other questions are addressed … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Biblical Theology Class, Christianity, Theology | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Family: It’s Role in God’s Loving Purpose

Posted on June 3, 2022 by salooper57

Kevin Looper explores the connection between family relationships and God’s relationships with people. The family, he contends, was designed by God to express his love for humans and reveal what he desires in a relationship with them.

Posted in Bible, Family, Marriage and Family, relationships, Theology | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Heaven and Hell (Biblical Theology Class #20)

Posted on June 1, 2022 by salooper57

I was away this week, so Kevin handled this difficult class on his own. He explores what the Bible says about hell (and a little about heaven). This difficult, challenging subject is treated with care and humility.

Posted in Bible, Biblical Theology Class, Christianity, Theology | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A Shot Across the Bow: Coming to Terms with Death

Posted on May 28, 2022 by salooper57

Death, like a Victorian era visitor, often sends a calling card to announce its arrival. But death is no gentleman. It sometimes comes silently, like a robber. At other times, it delivers a warning. It fires a shot across the … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Spiritual life, Theology | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Reason Art Got Ugly

Posted on May 21, 2022 by salooper57

The performance arts have also become enamored with ugliness, preferring darkness to light, and antiheroes to heroes. Today, antiheroes are artistically interesting, but heroes are boring. Antiheroes represent truth. Heroes are a fantasy. These days, no one is making films with “High Noon” plots or Will Kane-like heroes. Darkness – think of the recent Batman films – is in vogue. Continue reading →

Posted in Theology, Truthfulness, Worldview and Culture | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Cross: Biblical Theology Class #17

Posted on May 15, 2022 by salooper57
Posted in Biblical Theology Class, Christianity, Theology | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

God Loves You Just the Way You Are

Posted on May 14, 2022 by salooper57

Another common Christian cliché is this: “God will never love you any more than he does right now.” This, it seems to me, is also true. If God’s love is not conditioned on the worthiness of its object, then neither is it conditioned on that object’s unworthiness. Hence, the correlate to this claim is also true: “God will never love you less than he does right now.

While these avowals of God’s love are true, they are also incomplete … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Peace with God, Theology | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments