April 3rd, 2012
In this post I share a quote from Dr John T Bristow about how the early church treated slaves with equity. [500 words]
Tags: Biblical equality, Gal 3:28, slavery
Posted in Church History, Equality and Gender Issues, Equality in Ministry, Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
January 14th, 2012
Nino (also known as Saint Nina) was a remarkable woman who brought Christianity to Iberia (present-day Georgia) way back in the 300s. This women is regarded as “Equal to the Apostles” by the Orthodox Church, but she is virtually unknown in many other church circles. The Eastern Orthodox Church commemorates Nino (Saint Nina) on the 14th of January; so I thought I would too, by posting this article on this date. [1500 words]
Tags: apostle, biography, Nina of Georgia, Nino, women in ministry debate
Posted in Church History, Equality and Gender Issues, Women in Ministry | 3 Comments »
December 1st, 2011
In this seven-part series for Christmas, I look at the theology of Jesus’ incarnation as depicted in illustrations typically found on Christmas Cards and in religious art; and I compare these traditional images with what Matthew and Luke wrote about the Nativity in their Gospels. [250 words]
Tags: Christmas, incarnation, Mary and Joseph, the birth of Jesus, the Nativity, the true story of Christmas, virgin Mary
Posted in Christian Theology, Christology, Church History | 4 Comments »
December 1st, 2011
Christmas card illustrations frequently depict scenes of snug security and domestic comfort. This is in contrast to Mary’s scandalous predicament of being pregnant and unmarried. Her situation was full of uncertainties and risk. [600 words]
Tags: Christmas, incarnation, Mary and Joseph, the birth of Jesus Christ, the Nativity, the true story of Christmas, virgin Mary
Posted in Christian Theology, Christology, Church History | 4 Comments »
December 1st, 2011
The 100km journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem would have been arduous; especially for a heavily pregnant woman. Was Mary always the image of piety and serenity as depicted on Christmas cards and in religious art? Or did she, like most of us, become irritable, impatient or weepy when exhausted and uncomfortable. [350 words]
Tags: Bethlehem, Christmas, incarnation, Luke 2:1-5, Mary and Joseph, the birth of Jesus, the Nativity, the true story of Christmas
Posted in Christian Theology, Christology, Church History | 1 Comment »
December 1st, 2011
Christmas cards often show the new born Jesus surrounded by farm animals. Was this really the case? And what is the significance of the “manger” mentioned three times in Luke chapter 2? [800 words]
Tags: Bethlehem, born in a cave, Christmas, incarnation, kataluma, Luke 2:6-7;, manger, Mary and Joseph, Migdal Eder, Passover lamb, phatne, stable, the birth of Jesus, the Lamb of God, the Nativity, the true story of Christmas
Posted in Christian Theology, Christology, Church History | 10 Comments »
December 1st, 2011
Most Christmas cards indicate that Jesus was born at the time of the winter solstice and they often incorporate elements of pagan mid-winter celebrations in their illustrations. Was Jesus born on the 25th of December at the time of the winter solstice? Or could he have been born at the time of Spring lambing or even during the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles? [1000 words]
Tags: Christmas, holly and ivy, saturnalia, the birth of Jesus, the Nativity, the true story of Christmas, when was Jesus born, winter solstice
Posted in Christian Theology, Christology, Church History | 11 Comments »
December 1st, 2011
Most religious art portrays Mary as serene, shy, somber and even sad. Was this the real Mary? And: Did Mary remain a virgin forever?
Tags: Christmas, Eve, immaculate conception, mariolatry, perpetual virginity, the Assumption of Mary, the birth of Jesus, the Nativity, the true story of Christmas, veneration of Mary, virgin Mary
Posted in Christian Theology, Christology, Church History | 4 Comments »
December 1st, 2011
Who were the wise men from the east who worshipped the Christ child?
Tags: Bethlehem star, Christmas, Daniel, frankincense and myrrh, gold, Magi, Matthew 2, names of the three wise men, the birth of Jesus, the Nativity, the Star, the true story of Christmas, three Kings, visit of the magi, wise men
Posted in Christian Theology, Christology, Church History | 10 Comments »
November 1st, 2011
What does the Bible say about women who work outside the home?
Is it God’s ideal that women stay out of the workforce and stay at home?
What is the position that Complementarians, such as John Piper, take on the subject of work and working women?
Tags: Aristotle, Biblical equality, CBMW, Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, diakonos, Lydia, motherhood, New Testament Women, Paul and Women, Phoebe, Priscilla, tent maker, women in ministry debate, Women in the early church, working women
Posted in Church History, Equality and Gender Issues, Equality in Marriage, Equality in Ministry, Women in Ministry | 18 Comments »
