by Robert Angle | Feb 19, 2012 | Exegesis, Preterism
This post is based on a discussion I had with someone who finds the preterist approach to eschatology to be very intriguing.
What is Preterism?
Eschatology (from ἔσχατος meaning “last” and -logy meaning “study of”) is a part of theology concerned with what are believed to be the final events of history commonly referred to as the end of the world.
Christian eschatology is a major branch of study within Christian theology. Eschatology, from two Greek words meaning last (ἔσχατος, last) and study (λογία, lit. discourse), is the study of the end of things, whether the end of an individual life, the end of the age, or the end of the world. (more…)
by Robert Angle | Feb 6, 2012 | John 8:58, Translation
The following is a partial transcript of a discussion I had on this subject in a Biblical discussion and debate group. The real names of other participants have been changed, and some of their spelling and punctuation have been corrected. The purpose of posting it here is simply to preserve my efforts expended in the discussion.
(more…)
by Robert Angle | Feb 3, 2012 | Exegesis, Organized Religion
What does the Bible say about the organizational structure of the first century congregation?
Is Organized Religion a Choice? Or a Requirement?
There are some who claim that the congregations throughout the known world in the first century were completely autonomous, to which such claims are made usually with the intent of justifying a personal dismissal of all denominations today, or negating the need to assemble for worship with others altogether. “I just wanna worship God in the way that I personally want to” they say, which for many is often a clever way of minimizing the worship of God as a whole in favor of self-indulgence. Though for others, it is because organized religion has proved to be disappointing to them, at least to the degree in which they have sincerely and with fairness investigated them. This can be understandable, as the majority of organized religions are disappointing! But what do the scriptures teach us about the organization of first century Christianity? Was the first century Christian congregation an organization, or not? (more…)
by Robert Angle | Jan 31, 2012 | John 8:58, Translation
A deeper look at John 8:58
Trinitarian critics of the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, published by Jehovah’s Witnesses, often take issue with the verse recorded at John 8:58, which reads…
John 8:58 “Jesus said to them: “Most truly I say to YOU, Before Abraham came into existence, I have been.””
In translations that they prefer, it has Jesus saying “I AM” instead of “I have been”, and they mistakenly claim that Jesus was claiming to be the God of the Old Testament who says “I am that I am” at Exodus 3:14 according to the same translations (which is also incorrect). The charge is that the New World Translation is unique in that it renders the passage in a way that suits our belief that the trinity doctrine is a false teaching. But is the New World Translation really unique in this regard?
The answer is No. (more…)
by Robert Angle | Jan 25, 2011 | Bad Associations, Illustrations, Misusing Technology
He Made Himself at Home
A few years after I was born, my Dad met a stranger who was new to our small town. From the beginning, Dad was fascinated with this enchanting newcomer and soon invited him to live with our family. The stranger was quickly accepted and was around from then on.
As I grew up, I never questioned his place in my family. In my young mind, he had a special niche. My parents were complementary instructors: Mum taught me good from evil, and Dad taught me to obey. But the stranger… he was our storyteller. He would keep us spellbound for hours on end with adventures, mysteries and comedies.
If I wanted to know anything about politics, history or science, he always knew the answers about the past, understood the present and even seemed able to predict the future! He took my family to the first major league ball game. He made me laugh, and he made me cry. The stranger never stopped talking, but Dad didn’t seem to mind. (more…)
