Author: Richard

  • Introduction to Apologetics

    Richard

    Christian apologetics is the rational defense of Christianity. The term is derived from the Greek word apología (ἀπολογία), which means to speak in defense of something. It is not to be thought of as offering someone a regretful acknowledgement for some aspect of Christianity that they might find offensive. Rather, Christian apologetics demonstrates that Christian doctrine is rational,… Read more

  • Denominational Demographics

    Richard

    The number of members of different Christian denominations is somewhat elusive, but general approximations can be made. I have assembled some rough estimates based on the websites listed at the bottom of this post. In terms of major divisions, the breakdown is as follows: Denomination Members % Roman Catholic 1,285,000,000 47.6% Protestant 920,000,000 34.1% Eastern… Read more

  • Names of God

    Richard

    Although not core to theology, a knowledge of the names of God used in the Bible can provide insight on how God was viewed in ancient times. The following are the names of God used in the OT and the NT. Elohim (אֱלֹהִים). This title for God is most likely a combination of el, which means… Read more

  • Created Beauty

    Richard

    One of the ways that God’s creation is very good in in its beauty. The concept of beauty is central to the philosophy of aesthetics and the appreciation of art. But what about theology? This section addresses this question by first discussing the religious context of beauty as found in Scripture. It then examines the theological… Read more

  • God the Creator

    Richard

    God is the creator of both the physical and spiritual realms. “You alone are the LORD. You have made the heavens, The heaven of heavens with all their lights, The earth and everything that is on it, The seas and everything that is in them” (Neh 9:6). Both the physical and spiritual realms were created… Read more

  • Predestination and Free Will

    Richard

    Predestination refers to God having determined everything that happens in the world at (or before) the time of creation. Everything that happens is due to God-determined destiny. People who hold this belief understand God’s sovereignty to be absolute. Predestination is particularly associated with the concept of the elect. Before creation, God predestined certain people to be saved… Read more

  • Communicable Attributes of God

    Richard

    A communicable attribute is perfect characteristic of God that is endowed by God to man in an imperfect way. It is common to interpret man being made in the image of God as man sharing God’s communicable attributes. God loves and therefore we can love, but in an imperfect way. God reasons and therefore we… Read more

  • Incommunicable Attributes of God

    Richard

    Characteristics that provide a sense of some aspect of God are commonly called divine attributes. This is an imperfect term, as is inevitable in any attempt to describe God. Some have suggested that better terms might be properties or perfections, as these might result in less risk of viewing God as a divine essence combined… Read more

  • Evangelist Theology

    Richard

    The term evangelicalism derives from the Greek word euangélion (εὐαγγέλιον), literally means good news. In Old English Bible translations, euangélion was translated as gōdspel (gōd = good + spel = news). Middle English Bible translations modified this to gospel, which is still used in modern translations. In terms of etymology, evangelicalism and gospel are synonymous… Read more

  • Fundamentalist Theology

    Richard

    The term fundamentalism can apply in a general religious sense and also in a specific Christian sense. In a general sense, Rik Peels characterizes fundamentalist movements as exemplifying the following: (1) a rejection of liberal ethics; (2) a literal and infallible view of authoritative texts; and (3) an interpretation of events in a grand narrative of… Read more