Monthly Archives: September 2013

walter brueggemann on how the old testament defines God

Posted on September 4, 2013 by christopher fisher

From Walter Brueggemann’s Theology of the Old Testament: Israel’s characteristic adjectival vocabulary about Yahweh is completely lacking in terms that have dominated classical theology, such as omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent. This sharp contrast suggested that classical theology, insofar as it is … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Calvinism, God, Open Theism, Theology | Leave a comment

God is bad at punishment

Posted on September 3, 2013 by christopher fisher

I was talking to a Christian today about Calvinists and letters to newspapers. Once in a while, in any major newspaper there will be some letter to the editor claiming that all the hurricanes and mass murders are God’s judgment … Continue reading →

Posted in Calvinism, God, Science, Statistics, Theology | Leave a comment

good students and good teachers

Posted on September 3, 2013 by christopher fisher

In a recent post by Bryan Caplan he lays out the characteristics of a good student: First, good students genuinely want to learn. They don’t study material merely because they see it on the syllabus or expect it on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Human Nature | Leave a comment

how paul defines works of the law

Posted on September 2, 2013 by christopher fisher

The apostle Paul is well known for his teachings against the law. To the Galatians he writes that the law is a curse. To the Romans he writes that no flesh will be justified by the law. But what does … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Dispensationalism, Morality, Theology | 5 Comments

names in the book of life

Posted on September 2, 2013 by christopher fisher

It is an often touted Calvinist point to claim that people, individuals, have had their names written in the Book of Life before even the world began. It is comforting for some Christians to see themselves as eternally chosen, elect. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Calvinism, Open Theism, Theology | 3 Comments

understanding galatians chapter 1 – part 1

Posted on September 2, 2013 by christopher fisher

The books of the New Testament are letters. This might be a hard concept for some Christians to digest. The books of the New Testament were not as much theological treatises as they were personal letters (Romans being the exception). … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Bible Critics, Dispensationalism, Ehrman, History, People, Theology | 3 Comments