I was talking with a friend of mine about smoking the other day (Tobacco not illegal substances). We were talking about its health effects and the addictive nature it has. As we were discussing the nature of addiction to cigarettes I thought to myself...I've had an incredibly similar conversation in REL 413. However, this one was not about ( Read more... )

The discussion in Adler's class yesterday was simply amazing!  There was a lot of thinking and ideas concerning the interpretation of Romans 1-7.  I think that I am slowly but surely getting a slight grasp of what the implications of Paul's explanation of sin.  There are still a lot of things that I need to figure out and reconcile before I'm ever ( Read more... )

Here's my fourth paper for Dr. Adler's class.  The prompt was this:

This paper should deal mainly with the first seven chapters of the epistle to the Romans.

a) What does Paul mean by the word "sin"?

b) What is the relationship between sin and the law? between sin and death? between sin and grace?

c) Explain Paul's statement that "sin is not ( Read more... )

Realizing that I'm probably going to catch some grief for this...I still think it needs to be discussed.  I think modern evangelists like Gary Birdsong and some of his traveling compatriots are missing the point, and I am not solely referring to their theology.  The matter that they proclaim the Gospel seems to me to be somehow wrong.  Their zeal ( Read more... )

After an amazingly enlightening class on Monday and a similarily engaging discussion with Dr. Adler yesterday, I'm going to try to relate my thoughts on the purpose of the Law that was made primarily with Moses considering modern Christianity has all but relinquished any observance of the vast majority of it.

We'll begin today as usual with a ( Read more... )

http://beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.htmlRead more... )

Alright, so I realize many of you have already heard this argument, but I have decided that for my own recollection and for a general statement on my beliefs on the subject of female clergy, I would write them here.

In my opinion the issue of female ordination falls solely on one verse of the Bible, that verse being 1 Timothy 2:12, I'm going to ( Read more... )

So the other day I sent an email to the Bishop of the Western NC Conference of the UMC. I decided I wanted to post my words here for those to hear them. Why not ( Read more... )

Let love be genuine.  Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.  Love one another with brotherly affection.  Outdo one another in showing honor.  Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord.  Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.  Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show ( Read more... )

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.  But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?  Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and truth.

- 1 John 3:16-18 (ESV)

( Read more... )