An anecdote about a college student showing their Greek tattoo to the author, who occasionally receives requests for English-to-Greek tattoo translations. The author discusses concerns related to tattoos, such as the permanence of the decision and potential hindrances to future Christian missionary work due to cultural perceptions of tattoos in some regions. While the author does not view getting a tattoo as a sin, they suggest considering the wisdom of the decision in each case.

Dr. Manning discusses the need to verify historical claims about the New Testament's historical background, emphasizing the importance of relying on actual ancient sources for accuracy. They provide examples of misconceptions related to biblical passages and their historical context, such as the supposed gate called "the Eye of the Needle" and the interpretation of Jesus' last words on the cross, "It is finished." Dr. Manning examines the evidence related to the translation of "It is finished" and argues that it signifies the completion of Jesus' work and the fulfillment of Scripture.

John McArthur discusses the controversy within the evangelical community surrounding the issues of social justice and racism. They express concerns about the divisiveness and the secular wisdom that has entered the church's discussions on these topics. The author argues that true unity in Christ should transcend racial boundaries, and Christians should not engage in divisive discourse over race. They call for a gospel-centered approach to addressing racism and injustice and plan to explore the biblical response to suffering and persecution in future discussions.

R. C. reflects on his experience as a philosophy major in college and how it influenced his journey to Christianity. He explains how a lecture on Augustine's doctrine of creation led them to change their major to philosophy, which, in turn, shaped their ministry and understanding of theological reflection. The author emphasizes the importance of understanding philosophical thought to navigate the challenges presented by contemporary philosophy and liberal theology, while also highlighting the Bible as a critical text that critiques the reader.

The article on Matthew 16:18 discusses the foundational and encouraging nature of this passage for the church. It examines the ongoing debate surrounding the identity of "this rock" in the verse, which has been interpreted differently by Roman Catholics and Protestants. The article delves into the Old Testament and Second Temple Jewish Literature, highlighting four temple themes present in Jesus' speech.

John Piper dives into Mark 3:20-35, the scene where a crowd is so large that Jesus and his disciples can't even eat. His family is concerned about his behavior, and the religious leaders accuse him of being possessed by evil spirits. In response, Jesus speaks of an "unforgivable sin," which he calls blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. He explains that this sin puts a person beyond forgiveness because it hinders repentance and rejects the work of the Holy Spirit.

A quick but very helpful introduction to the Critical Apparatus as well as a concise description of the differences between the GNT and the NA texts.

Textual criticism is the academic discipline that examines and compares biblical manuscripts with the goal of recovering the original reading of a biblical text. In this process, textual critics consider external evidence, which involves assessing the reliability of the manuscripts, with a general presumption that earlier manuscripts are more likely to preserve the original reading. They also consider internal evidence, examining how the text reads independently of its age or origins, including factors like unintentional changes and intentional scribal editing. This discipline plays a crucial role in understanding and preserving the accuracy of biblical texts, even when faced with numerous textual variants and complexities in the manuscript tradition.

The text discusses a textual issue in 1 Thessalonians 2:7, where the words "hpioi" and "nhpioi" are in question. "Hpioi" means 'gentle,' while "nhpioi" means 'infant' or 'little child.' The author argues for "nhpioi" based on external evidence. They suggest that the change from "hpioi" to "nhpioi" might have been a scribe's mistake but counter that Paul would likely have corrected it. The author also points out that "nhpioi" disrupts the metaphor and argument's logic.

Textual analysis on 1 Thessalonians 2:7. The article explores internal and external evidence to concrete argue for the best possible explanation.

The article addresses historical criticism and argues for the interconnectedness of the limited atonement doctrine.

Pastor Vlad's article discusses the theological question of whether a Christian can lose their salvation. The author examines various biblical passages and perspectives to explore this concept, offering insights into different interpretations of salvation in the Christian faith. The post aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the topic, considering different doctrinal viewpoints and scriptural references.

Sam Storms discusses the significance and acceptance of the gift of speaking in tongues in Christianity. Storms argues that this gift is a manifestation of God's love and should not be dismissed or ridiculed. He emphasizes that speaking in tongues, as a spiritual gift, was conceived by God for the benefit and spiritual growth of believers. The article also addresses misconceptions, grounding arguments in Scripture, and highlights the positive, edifying role of speaking in tongues both in personal devotion and within the church community.

A discussion about the significance of baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as commanded by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20 emphasizing the Trinitarian formula of baptism as a testimony to the work of all three persons of the Trinity in salvation. The article also reflects on historical practices, citing the early church's adherence to this formula, as noted in the Didache. It argues against the "Jesus only" baptismal formula, viewing it as doctrinally deficient and historically associated with heretical groups.

Pastor MacArthur criticizes evangelical churches for compromising their beliefs to be more popular. They chase trends and downplay biblical teachings on issues like gender and sexuality to win people over. MacArthur argues their approach prioritizes worldly acceptance over the true message of the gospel.

Nicolas A. Gilbert offers a resourceful list for further reading on Critical Race Theory.

Pastor MacArthur stipulates that the biggest threats to Christianity come from within, not outsiders. He's spent career defending core beliefs from various attacks (legalism, charismatic movement, etc.) He views current focus on "social justice" as the latest internal threat.

Nicolas A. Gilbert argues the Bible is historically reliable. It discusses criticisms about the Bible's history and science, then offers examples of ancient writings that seem to confirm biblical accounts like the flood story and Jesus.

Robert S. Smith debates the term "cultural Marxism." It explores the concept's origins and ponders its usefulness in explaining current cultural trends. The author questions if it's a helpful term for Christians and suggests focusing on defending core Biblical principles.

Parkison discusses the moral failing of influential theologian Karl Barth, who engaged in a long-term affair with his assistant. It criticizes attempts to separate his sinful actions from his theological contributions and challenges Christians to be more critical in the teachers they allow to speak into their lives.

This blog from the C.S. Lewis Institute, authored by Kevin J. Vanhoozer, discusses the concept of the inerrancy of Scripture, which asserts that the Bible is entirely truthful and cannot err. The blog explores the theological and historical basis for this belief, addressing both the divine inspiration and the absolute reliability of the biblical texts. It also considers challenges and misconceptions related to the doctrine, emphasizing the importance of correct interpretation and understanding the original context and intent of the Scriptures. The piece counters modern skeptical views of the Bible's supernatural origins and authority, reinforcing the position that Scripture's truth claims are defensible and historically consistent within Christian theology.

Tyndale's blog discusses textual variants in the New Testament, highlighting that while there are many minor differences across ancient manuscripts, these do not fundamentally alter theological doctrines. It uses the example of a variant in 1 Corinthians 13:3 to illustrate how a single letter can change the translation significantly, comparing phrases "that I may be burned" and "that I may boast." The blog further notes trends in Bible translation, indicating shifts in preference towards different manuscript bases among new translations.

The blog discusses the significant impact of learning Koine Greek as a living language on theological understanding and exegesis. The author shares personal experiences and observations that deeper engagement with the biblical language can fundamentally alter one's approach to theology, leading to nuanced understanding and interpretation. The blog advocates for the communicative teaching of Koine Greek, arguing that it enhances the precision and authenticity with which theological concepts are grasped and discussed.

This resource explores the life and contributions of Giacomo Lombardi (1862-1934), an influential figure in Italian protestanism. It covers his early life, major achievements, and impact on Italian society and culture during his time. The resource provides detailed insights into his works and legacy.

The article discusses the unique aspects of Pentecostalism, emphasizing the ongoing relevance and replicability of the Pentecost experience as described in the New Testament. It explores the theological foundations, historical context, and significance of the Pentecostal movement's beliefs, including the baptism in the Holy Spirit and the accompanying signs such as speaking in tongues and divine healing. (This article is in Italian, you might need to translate it).