Keep Silence (Quotes)

Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue. (Proverbs 11:12) The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues. (Proverbs 17:27-28) Those who guard their…

Understanding Grace

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet 3:18). Most Christians don’t understand grace. Grace is not unmerited favor. You can’t grow in unmerited favor, you either have it or you don’t. Grace is the special influence of God upon a person.. You can grow in the…

Walk Alone

You are born alone, and you die alone. Yet, how we fight against this reality. Before you begin a deeper walk with God, know that that walk will be a lonely one. The closer you get to God, the further you'll be from people. Leonard Ravenhill said it well: Great eagles fly alone; great lions…

Dating the Gospels

The four gospels of the New Testament were originally written anonymously. They were only later given the names: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Scholars do not believe that these are eyewitness accounts. And the gospel of Thomas, which is not included in the New Testament, maybe the oldest of all of them (60 CE). The…

The First Creed

This is the oldest creed of Christianity. It is recorded in the first epistle of Paul to the Corinthians (15:3-8). For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the [Jewish] scriptures And that he was buried and that…

The Therapeutae According to Eusebius

Chapter 17. Philo's Account of the Ascetics of Egypt. 1. It is also said that Philo in the reign of Claudius became acquainted at Rome with Peter, who was then preaching there. Nor is this indeed improbable, for the work of which we have spoken, and which was composed by him some years later, clearly…

Old Roman Creed

I believe in God the Father almighty. And in Christ Jesus, His only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Holy Spirit from the Virgin Mary, who under Pontius Pilate was crucified and buried, on the third day rose from the dead, ascended into the heavens, he sits at the right hand of the…

The Liberal Bogeyman

“We Have Met the Enemy and He Is Us.” - Pogo (Walt Kelly) As an Evangelical Christian, I was warned about liberal theology. It was of the devil. I am told that the enemy is the Liberal. I have met the enemy and it is me. When you actually look up the word liberal, you…

Translation of 2 Timothy 3:16

The most common translation of 2 Timothy 3:16 is similar to the King James Version, which reads, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16 KJV). But is this really correct? The English Revised Version of 1885 corrected this…

The Core Values of Progressive Christianity

By calling ourselves Progressive Christians, we mean we are Christians who: 1. Believe that following the way and teachings of Jesus can lead to experiencing sacredness, wholeness, and unity of all life, even as we recognize that the Spirit moves in beneficial ways in many faith traditions. 2. Seek community that is inclusive of all…