Atonement: Christus Victor, Penal Substitution, or both?
A debate between Aditya and Cameron for the 2021 Morning Walk Fellowship.
Category: Jesus Christ
Theology of Business Management
I am a Catholic. I am a business owner. There is a world of difference, however, between a business owner who happens to be Catholic and a Catholic who happens to own a business. I am striving for the latter. In my journey into business management and ownership I have researched the topic of business management theory, reading many books and articles, and going to several seminars and conferences in order to try to best do my job in this role. From the very beginning I have always been determined to do business the way God wants and as a … Continue reading “Theology of Business Management” →
Romans 4
What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the … Continue reading “Romans 4” →
The Power of Forgiveness
We take many things for granted in our post-Christian world. Consistent with our human nature, we can be given the Son of God as a sacrifice for all of our faults, and get used to it. Moreover, we can gloss through many of the lessons Jesus teaches us to enact as cliche phrases with little change in our lives. One of these teachings—that we forgive those who trespass against us—is the subject of what I wanted to write about today. Recently I watched and reread sections from the book and screen adaptation of Silence, by Shūsaku Endō. The story follows … Continue reading “The Power of Forgiveness” →
Christianity of the Third Millennium
I can see the merits of Sola Scriptura. I can see why so many people choose to adopt that ideology. Just as Jesus seemingly condensed the law into two rules, so a summary compilation of the tenets of the faith, the Bible, condenses the work of millennia. It’s easier to read, and, in theory, it’s all a Christian needs to learn the faith. I posit, however, that adhering to Sola Scriptura alone can lead to dangerous levels of oversight. In 2020 Anno Domini, poverty is considerably less of an issue than in 20 Anno Domini. Is the means of our … Continue reading “Christianity of the Third Millennium” →
Sorrowful Even unto Death
When listening to Biblical passages from any given Sunday Gospel, the basic theme of doing good deeds and avoiding evil ones can more or less be understood on a rudimentary level. But every now and then, I personally come across a line from Scripture that forces me to scratch my head. Case in point, I was recently reading the Agony in the Garden, and I could not help but notice the irregularity of Matthew 26:38: Then [Jesus] said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.” (New American Bible Revised Edition) The … Continue reading “Sorrowful Even unto Death” →
Injustice, in Genesis, in Job, in Jesus
From what we know of King Abimelech in Genesis 20, he was a righteous man. He was averse to sin and atoned when he did. He earned his happy ending. When the sister of a travelling herdsman passed by his kingdom, then, he rejoiced. She was beautiful, and he could provide her with stability and prosperity for the rest of her days, as part of a wholesome marriage. And so he sent for Sarah, and she came. That night, God came to him in a vision: “You are a dead man on account of the woman you have taken, for … Continue reading “Injustice, in Genesis, in Job, in Jesus” →
Love Recklessly
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, … Continue reading “Love Recklessly” →
Freedom From Yourself
The Oxford English Dictionary defines freedom as “The state or fact of being free from servitude, constraint, inhibition, etc.; liberty.” Growing up and living in the US, I am constantly exposed to this definition of freedom, a definition in terms of license–a freedom to do whatever you want. By this understanding of freedom, one is free when there are no external forces hindering or restraining oneself. There is little inherent moral weight to this understanding of freedom. You can use your freedom to act for good or evil. So long as the government is not mandating us into action, we … Continue reading “Freedom From Yourself” →
Simplicity and Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is soon approaching and there is so much good food to look forward to in the upcoming days. Thanksgiving, much like the Sabbath, is a day on which we rest and look back on all that we are grateful for. Yet despite the myriad of things that we can say we are truly glad to have in our lives, there are still things that nag at us underneath the surface. This nagging can take the form of planning out your shopping run for Black Friday, causing you to plan and stress when you should be enjoying the smoked ham … Continue reading “Simplicity and Thanksgiving” →