During my ordination, one of the questions that I was asked by a seminary professor was “Are all sins equal in the sight of God?” I hesitated. Not because I…
Are All Sins Equal to God?
Jonathan Edwards, the Intellectual Magpie:
Jonathan Edwards, the Intellectual Magpie: Introducing Oliver Crisp’s Jonathan Edwards Among the Theologians (Eerdmans) Paul Copan Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) is one of my heroes—a true inspiration over the years. His…
Why I Don’t Believe in Hell Right Now
As of this moment, I do not believe in Hell. There is not a place called Hell where people are burning, screaming or suffering. I remember many years ago hearing…
When is Someone Disqualified from Ministry?
When Is Someone Disqualified from Ministry? This is an unspoken question for many evangelicals. Most of us don’t know where the idea of “disqualification” comes from. We may be hard pressed…
Top 25 Theology Blog Articles from 2014
2014 was an amazing year for the Parchment and Pen. To wrap it up with a nice bow we’ve curated a list of the 25 most popular theology blog posts…
3 Mistakes Our Definition of God Must Address to Avoid Atheism
It’s important for a Christian ministry to have a good definition of God (tongue in cheek). In fact, the definition I’m proposing will turn billions of religious people into atheists by…
21 Things Christians Say That Hurt Their Credibility
Michael Patton (President of Credo House) has written a series of 21 articles called, “…and other stupid statements”. Obviously the title is meant to provoke curiosity. But the issue of…
Taking the Lord’s Name in Vain – What Does it Really Mean?
The answer to this question might seem self-evident, especially to those of us who grew up in a western Judeo-Christian society. Exodus 20:7, Deuteronomy 5:11 – You shall not take…
Shawn McCraney on the Linear Thinking of His Theological Critics
Shawn McCraney is a former Mormon who became a “born-again” Christian and eventually left Mormonism, received some ministry training through Calvary Chapel, and launched his own ministry in Salt Lake…
Worldviews in a Nutshell
Theism A theistic worldview which believes that an eternal God freely created all of existence (time, space, matter, celestial realms and bodies) out of nothing (ex nihilo), and that He…