As all the other category words we have seen since we started writing these, this one also is Greek in origin.  It comes from an adjective meaning “last” and in theology refers to the doctrine of last things.

One might ask, “Last compared to what?”  Or perhaps, “How much is included in ‘last’”?  To answer, it might be helpful to think about the theological connection between creation and Read the rest of this entry →

Everyone knows that when a human baby is conceived, its body is produced by a biological process combining the physical characteristics of its parents.  Since the double helical pattern of the DNA molecule was discovered, science is actually able to give a fairly accurate explanation of exactly how this happens.  But what about the immaterial part of the person, the soul?  Are parents responsible for that?  Here we leave the realm of science and enter the realm of theology (realms that are only formally distinct, I hasten to add). Read the rest of this entry →

Are you a dichotomist or a trichotomist?  Don’t worry this isn’t some kind of a disease. It’s a way to understand the nature of man. Dichotomists (die-cot-a-mists) believe man has two parts – a body and a soul, whereas trichotomists (try-cot-a-mists) believe he has three parts – a body, soul, and a spirit. Read the rest of this entry →

Theology often deals with immaterial subjects like God, angels, and eternity.  But when man, and the created world, is under theology’s microscope, the material comes into focus.  Sometimes Christians believe God is only interested in man’s soul or spirit, and that his body is only a necessary shelter until his “spiritual” body can be prepared. But is this true? Read the rest of this entry →

“For in the day that you eat from it you shall surely die.”  So said God to Adam.  “You sin, you croak” would be the way in which many Christians would understand it.  But is that it?  Just physical death?  Of course that would be bad enough, but unfortunately, that isn’t it.  The death that is spoken of in Genesis is the rupture or distortion of all kinds of things that were originally in harmony; separations of what was meant to be together.  Though Marxists have stolen the word, “alienation” is an accurate description of what sin brought about.  Man became alienated from everyone and everything around him. Read the rest of this entry →

This article was difficult to write. It was assigned with a chuckle and a hearty “have fun with that!” So what is this topic that I have avoided, you ask? The origin of sin. This would be easier if it were original sin. Discussing Adam, the fall, and the imputation of sin is less daunting than the question of sin’s source. Read the rest of this entry →

A foundational Bible verse states that the “lust of the flesh” (1 John 2:16 KJV) doesn’t come from God but from the world. Another verse tells us to love God with all our heart and mind.  But what exactly are the “flesh,” the “heart” or the “mind?” Read the rest of this entry →

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Creation is a word that has polarized our society. We as Christians are quick to argue evolution vs. creation, but there is more that we do not always discuss. There are greater implications to our beginnings than simply answering a biological question. To the Christian, this concept of creation has far-reaching theological implications and deserves our study and meditation. Read the rest of this entry →

The Spirit is conveyed as relating to believers as the “paraclete,” which means the “helper” or “advocate.”  The Spirit is understood as one who is “called alongside to help the believer,” and thus our preaching, teaching, and worshiping of God should be understood in light of the Spirit’s aid.
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