Category Archives: teaching

Legitimate Suffering

Posted on June 12, 2016 by ehurst

Re: Suffering Is Your Ally — Steven raises a common and important issue Westerners have with suffering and pain. On the one extreme, we have a typically middle-class American doctrine in the Prosperity Gospel. This idea stands on the ancient … Continue reading →

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Keep It in the Heart

Posted on June 4, 2016 by ehurst

The Ancient Near East in general, and the Hebrew people in particular, bore an ancient legacy of the heart-mind. While it’s obvious not everyone was heart-led, it is also obvious that Scripture took seriously the existence of the heart-mind as … Continue reading →

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Ditch the Systematic Theology

Posted on June 2, 2016 by ehurst

“What must I do to be saved?” We see this question from the Philippian Jailer in Acts 16:30. The question itself arose from Greek culture. It became a figure of speech, so the actual meaning varies with the context. It … Continue reading →

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Suffering Is Your Ally

Posted on May 31, 2016 by ehurst

From my study notes on 2 Corinthians 1: It seems unfortunate we translate the Greek word (paraklesis) simply as "comfort" in English, because the typical associations with that word miss the point. The Greek word is both the invocation of … Continue reading →

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Factions and Sects

Posted on May 29, 2016 by ehurst

After the initial opening in 1 Corinthians 1, Paul immediately jumps into condemning sectarian divisions in verse 10 and following. It’s not hard to understand. The Corinthians detected intellectual variations in how the different apostles taught and preached. And why … Continue reading →

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What the Hell?

Posted on May 18, 2016 by ehurst

Some of you get it, but it seems there is enough confusion that I need to restate things for clarity. I use the English word “Hell.” If you have been paying attention, you’ll notice I use it in the vernacular … Continue reading →

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Your Theology Is Your Problem

Posted on May 8, 2016 by ehurst

Let me say this with as much clarity as I can marshal: Theology is a human activity in response to divine calling. Theology is religion, a mere expression of faith. Theology is not wisely discerning objective truth about God, because … Continue reading →

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The Heart of Politics

Posted on May 5, 2016 by ehurst

This is not political commentary, per se, but heart-led moral commentary about politics. God has granted far more insight than I ever dreamed possible, in the sense that it all fits into a discernible pattern for me. I know what … Continue reading →

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We Need

Posted on May 4, 2016 by ehurst

(With an imperious air) We don’t need you. And you don’t need us. On the other hand, we are altogether glad you took a moment to read this. Our motives are radically different from other religious groups. It’s not propaganda … Continue reading →

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Icons and Idols

Posted on May 3, 2016 by ehurst

Iconoclasm is not a virtue; it can be a useful tool. There’s nothing wrong with good statuary to help you focus your mind on the task of faith. There’s a problem when your faith is trapped by the icon. Our … Continue reading →

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