The Problem
Paul’s apparent forgetfulness in 1 Corinthians 1:15-16 produces distinct problems regarding one’s view of inspiration and the inerrancy of Scripture. If Paul forgot, and he is backtracking on what he said, then inerrancy almost certainly goes out the window. Is this a reasonable way to read what is going on in 1 Corinthians?
Continue reading “Did Paul Have a Memory Lapse in 1 Corinthians 1:15-16?”
Christians know the Bible well enough to recognize tension. One verse says, “No one is righteous, no not one” (Romans 3:10). Another says, “Noah was a righteous man” (Genesis 6:9). So, which is it? If we treat both verses flatly, they contradict. If we deny one side, we shrink Scripture. And if we wave our hands and call it “mystery,” we end up hiding behind a word that Scripture itself rarely uses in that way.
There must be a better way.
Continue reading “Why Contextual Absolutism Changes Everything”
Summary
Salvation by Allegiance Alone by Matthew W. Bates can be summed up with one of his early questions: “When the Apostle Paul says, ‘for it is by grace you have been saved through faith’ (Eph. 2:8), what if Paul’s idea of ‘faith’ (pistis) differs from typical contemporary understandings?” (p. 3). The book revolves around that single question, arguing that the Greek word pistis (typically translated as “faith”) ought instead to be rendered “allegiance” or “fidelity.” The title makes this clear. In fact, that sort of blunt clarity is one of the book’s strengths. Whether you agree with him or not, you can’t miss what he’s trying to say.
Continue reading “Book Review: Salvation by Allegiance Alone by Matthew W. Bates”
Why Universal Morals Still Matter in Apologetics
I’m excited to announce the release of a new short book from Lamad Press: The Moral Argument. This work is an expanded, standalone version of a chapter originally published in Contending for the Truth, but it quickly became clear that the argument needed to breathe on its own. Why? Because most Christians (and most search engines) aren’t looking for apologetics content buried in a book titled Contending for the Truth. They’re looking for answers to specific questions. And this book addresses one of the most common and neglected ones: Can morality point to God?
Continue reading “New Release: The Moral Argument”
By L. J. Anderson | January 2025
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has opened exciting possibilities in technology, creativity, and communication. But with that potential comes ethical responsibility—especially for Christians. Today, I want to speak plainly about a disturbing trend: the use of AI-generated deepfake worship videos that feature the voices, faces, and names of non-Christian artists like Eminem or Rihanna singing worship songs without their consent.
Continue reading “Why AI-Generated Worship Videos Featuring Celebrities Are Ethically Wrong”Spoiler alert: It’s not just unethical. It’s deceptive—and Christians should have no part in it.
Review by Logan Anderson, Ph.D. Student, Theological Studies, Liberty Theological Seminary, Lynchburg, VA.
Dockery and Morgan have edited an excellent foundational work for new or prospective higher education teachers. It is sufficiently broad as to be applicable in any discipline within higher education and specific enough that it gives very pointed help to a Christian educator in the evangelical tradition. Christian Higher Education is a “multiauthored, symphonic, and theologically shaped vision for the distinctive work of Christian higher education” (13). One important thing to note regarding this book is that the editors acknowledge differences of opinion and methodology between the authors. They specifically left many of these differences as they hoped it would give a glimpse into academic and student life from a variety of angles within the evangelical tradition (13). Each author brings a unique perspective to the discussion and the editors sought to preserve that in many instances. Despite the fact the chapters are written by different authors and address different topics, this review will primarily address the major sections of the book rather than individual chapters for the sake of brevity since this book is twenty-seven chapters long.
Continue reading “Christian Higher Education: Faith, Teaching, and Learning in the Evangelical Tradition. David S. Dockery and Christopher W. Morgan, eds. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018. 576 pp. $50.00. paper.”
One can learn a lot regarding faith and practice by studying some of the great theologians of the past. This is even, maybe especially, true regarding those that one tends to disagree with. John Wesley’s view of Christian perfection is certainly one such case of this. Most contemporary Christians who engage with it find John Wesley’s view of Christian perfection to be wrong, and perhaps rightly so, but does that mean it is not worth looking into? This paper seeks to discuss Christian perfection according to John Wesley, engage with it theologically, and demonstrate that, though there is a ton of value in it, Wesley’s view is slightly extreme.
Continue reading “John Wesley on Christian Perfection”
You do not have to look far to see differences in translation between one Bible and another. Why are there differences, and does the fact that there are differences mean that translations aren’t valid? These, and similar questions, are very important questions to have answers for. After all, if our translations aren’t accurate, how can we possibly know the truth? Most people don’t have the time to learn one foreign language much less three.
Continue reading “The Validity of Ancient and Modern Translations of the Bible”
L. J. Anderson - Author and Blogger 