Tag: inerrancy of Scripture

Did Paul Have a Memory Lapse in 1 Corinthians 1:15-16?

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?

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Is Syncretism Ever a Good Thing?

I want to explore a question I’ve been thinking about lately: What exactly is syncretism, and can it ever be good? I was prompted to reflect on this while reading Most Moved Mover by Clark Pinnock for a PhD course on the doctrine of God. On page 72, he makes an interesting statement: that not all syncretism is bad.

That made me pause. My first reaction was, “That’s just not true.” But as I kept reading, I began to realize that the issue might not be disagreement on values; it might be disagreement on definitions. So let’s dig into that. What is syncretism? Why is it typically viewed negatively in Christian theology? And is there ever a case to be made for it being helpful (or at least not harmful)?

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