Thanks for teh clarification, Kerwin.  Yes, that would seem to posit you as  outside the original-sin camp. However, to  totally candid, some of your earlier statements definitely do fall into that school of thought. And, as I said, that’s OK, just as long us you know where  you are coming from and respect the fact others reserve the right to dis…[Read more]

Hello, Andrew and Kerwin,

Calvin’s argument was that we are in fact born corrupt through and through.  Unless we are among the predestined elect, we can want and will nothing but evil.  The elect can and should do better, but they generally fail to do so.  Hence, according to Calvin,  even the “pillars of the  church” deserve eternal damn…[Read more]

Hello, Kerwin,

Yes, I realize you don’t know much about Augustine or Calvin or other major extra-biblical sources which constitute the foundation of our concept of original sin.  That’s the problem. You may well think this concept is coming to you directly from the pages of Scripture and Scripture alone.  However, in point of actual fact,  it ca…[Read more]

Hello, Nick,

Where did you get the idea that the work of teh Holy Spirit vanished with the death of Paul?  The Holy Spirit is God present in ourselves and our world.  The Spirit has always been at work.  God didn’t one day just vanish from the scene.   When you talk about the vain ides of men, what about your own ideas?  Did you ever consi…[Read more]

Nick, please.   If you want to participate in a serious theological discussion, not just shouting and name-calling,  let me make a constructive criticism and suggest you need to tone down your language.     I gather   from your question that you  haven’t studied much church history. So if there is something you are unfamiliar with, feel free to as…[Read more]

Hello, Gene,

I hear what you are saying.  However, I find you have overlooked some very important things. One is that the church fathers and other Trinitarians are very well aware of what Scripture has to say.  That’s why they are Trinitarians. Apparently, you have arrived at an interpretation of Scripture highly discrepant from the fathers and l…[Read more]

Those who hold with the trinity are idolaters?  Oh. c’,pm, Gene.  That makes absolutely no sense, given the fact the trinity is a central tenant in the Christian religion.

Yes, Miia, that is exactly what I have in mind. Also, thinks for clarifying where you are in regard  to the Trinity.  I gather you are in the  process of considering options.

Hello again, Miia,

I’m kind of lost where you are coming from.  You say you aren’t a Trinitarian but that you are working from a Trinitarian and Oneness perspective. On my end of it, I hear you contradicting yourself. If you aren’t Trinitarian, how can you be working from a Trinitarian and Oneness perspective?  Are you Oneness Pentecostal maybe ?…[Read more]

Hello, Mia,

Actually, I’m not really sure there is any way to appropriately put the  question.  With fellow Christians, it can be an annoying question, analogous to asking someone, “Are you a loyal American?”  I find that quite often someone who comes up and just starts asking something like, “Have you accepted Christ as your personal Savior”? ge…[Read more]

HI again, Kerwin,

Yes, but you touched on one the  major contradictions here that I have trouble with.  If we are totally corrupt through and through, then we don’t hunger or desire for righteousness.  Incidentally, this latter point is very much emphasized in the doctrine of original sin.  That’s why I was what is said.  If our nature is trul…[Read more]

Hello, Gene,

No problem.  As Eisenhower is credited with once saying, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” Just try and do the must you can with the grammar and punctuation.

I am inclined to agree with you that many Trinitarian formulations do collapse into polytheism.  Usually, that happens when proponents hold with modern definitions of  the “p…[Read more]

Hi, Kerwin,

Yu brought up an interesting and important subject: original sin.  However, it seems a bit off topic, doesn’t it?

I don’t hold with original sin.  I don’t find it to be biblical and I find it to be an overly pessimistic assessment of ourselves.  We have had , for too long, a religion of sickness; now, we need a religion of health. I…[Read more]

Hello, Mia,

True, on one hand, it is that easy.  On the other, it isn’t.   The problem is how the three members of teh Trinity can be best thought of so as to constitute one God.  Many wills ay that the Trinity denotes three separate, unique personalities.  This is thinking of the Trinity in term of teh modern concept or definition o f the term…[Read more]

Hello, Gene,

Yes, I have read I Cor. 15:28.  It is one of my favorite passages, as it addresses the omnipresence and all-inclusiveness of God.   I think I may have mentioned earlier to you or perhaps some other member that I have a doctorate in theology.  My research and writings focus  on pneumatology, the Holy Spirit, and mystical expe…[Read more]

There is absolutely no evidence that the writer of John was influenced by Philo in any way whatsoever.  There is really no comparison between the two, as Philo is essentially Platonic, whereas the Bible is not.

I agree with you on that one, Kerwin.  There I no doubt the passage means two separate personages.

Kerwin, Jesus and the Pharisees is one thing, people sending out flaming posts is something else altogether. There is absolutely no comparison  between the two, none, zero. Anyone who would try and  equate  himself or herself with Christ and then try use this  as an excuse for their flaming posts is seriously abusing Scripture.

Philo never wrote anything on Christ, probably did not know anything about him, and never wrote or knew anything about the Gospel of John.  Therefore, he is actually completely irrelevant to the discussion at hand.

Hello, Kerwin,

If you are convinced that something is true, then you should focus on presenting your case why it is so.  Attacking the character of someone who doesn’t agree with you does anything but that.  It happens  because someone may find the other guy’s arguments so powerful that they  cannot present a rational rebuttal.  So they  decid…[Read more]