The love of God is what motivates me. But…I read about God’s wrath in the Bible. Does the God of Love also present Himself with wrath? The Psalms have been used throughout Christian history. It is the most quoted “book” of the Old Testament by Jesus and the New Testament writers. The primitive church appears to have used the Psalms in their worship. I have read through the Psalms more than 10 times, but have never spent time looking closely... Read more
This is Part 4 of a presentation on Christian individualism. In the first three sections I offered historical evidence of robust individualism in the first four centuries of church history. Although I am not defending individualism, I disagree with modern theologians who blame “western” culture for individualism in the Christian faith. The evidence shows that Christianity has always included a bias towards individual faith and practice. In this conclusion I will offer some comments showing the balance between personal Christian... Read more
This is Part 3 of a presentation giving evidence of robust individualism (personal forgiveness) in early church history. This evidence shows that the “western” world did NOT lead Christianity into individualism. I disagree with modern theologians who claim that rampant individualism in the Christian faith is a “western” invention. Christianity has always had a strong pull towards individualism. In the first section I offered evidence from the New Testament for personal forgiveness. In Part 2 we saw evidence of a... Read more
This is Part 2 of my response to two great scholars, Krister Stendahl and N.T. Wright. Both made critical comments about how “western” individualism has negatively affected a proper reading of Jesus and Paul. Recently I read a comment by an Asian Christian scholar claiming that seeking revival is “an American phenomenon.” I decided to throw my hat into the ring as an Early Church historian to show how Christianity has always had a strong pull towards individualism.... Read more
Two great theologians I read have made critical comments about modern “western” individualism in Christianity. Krister Stendahl (Paul Among Jews and Gentiles) and N.T. Wright (The Challenge of Jesus and Jesus and the Victory of God). I have benefited from both of these theologians, but I disagree with their critical comments about “western” individualism (I think they are both mainly talking about American Christianity). The recent Asbury Revival has also triggered some negative attacks on individualism. Recently an Indonesian theologian... Read more
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