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CH101 Feedback and Comments
Here you can find topics and issues of discussion, and questions that have been submitted to me. Comments will be reviewed and posted no matter what your position or argument is. CH101 retains the right to edit and post edited comments.
Numerous CH101 readers have written to me with questions and critical comments about what I have written regarding Emperor Constantine. There is a significant percentage of conservative Protestants who believe Christianity suffered greatly under Constantine. As a young man I was taught that the Catholic Church started with Constantine and was the beginning of Christianity losing it's way.
One reader expressed it very close to how I learned it as a young man: "Paul said that the 'mystery of iniquity' was already at work in the church even during his day (2 Thes. 2:7). How much more in the years following the death of Paul and the other Apostles would the 'mystery of iniquity' be working."
While there are some valid points to be made for Christianity losing it's zeal and spiritual power, Constantine gets a bad rap in MY opinion. If you are interested in learning more about Constantine to better decide if he was a Christian or not, here are some links on CH101:Emperor Constantine comes to Power Emperor Constantine and Christian Faith Emperor Constantine at the Council of Nicea Emperor Constantine and Worship of the Sun (Sol Invictus) Emperor Constantine and Christians in the Military Emperor Constantine Against the Donatists Culture and Opinion Why Are There So Few Muslim Terrorists? Prof. Thomas Kidd answers this, his own rhetorical question. I take him to task for misleading his audience. Some discussion on Pacifism and the New Testament Questions/Answers What can be known for sure about Apollos? I would like to know if he wrote the NT letter to the Hebrews. Many have been told that Paul may have written NT Hebrews, but we are presenting evidence that would suggest Apollos to the be real author. What is the Proper Name for the Land Occupied by Israel, Jordan, and Other Nations in the Middle East? I have had some lively comments on this one Thomas S. McCall, Th.D., of the Zola Levitt organization (a pro-Israel group) states that the term "Palestine" is an invention of the Roman Emperor Hadrian that gives preference to the pro-Palestinian movement and "haters of Israel." I believe Dr. McCall is incorrect and I cite evidence from ancient writers who use this term. Why is the Sunday-Law of Constantine ignored when Sunday is not mentioned in the Scriptures? Why do Christians worship on The Lord's Day rather than on the Jewish Sabbath? Why did the Reformers reject The Apocrypha? Was the collection known as The Apocrypha considered "scriptural" in the early church? Why did the Reformers reject these writings? Is it true that most of the early "Christian" schools in the first several centuries taught universal salvation? Origen and his writings caused great controversy during several periods in early Christianity. Most of this controversy comes from one document, De Principii, where Origen does wrestle with some difficult biblical passages and speculates about the possibility of universal salvation. Read more in this CH101 explanation. What was the social setting that would have given Saul the authority to hunt down Christians? Water Baptism in the Early Church What did the early fathers preach/teach about water baptism? Wine in the Ancient World Was the wine in the Bible alcoholic, or only grape juice? Get an historical presentation using ancient writers to understand this topic. The Early Fathers on NT Revelation How did the early fathers view the New Testament book of Revelation? The Fathers on Holiness What was the stance of the early church with regards to santification and holiness? Was there a clear position on this issue? How Did the Early Church Fathers View Military Service? Several liberal scholars and other authors have stated that the early church fathers had a negative view of military service - that Christians in the first few centuries did not participate in the military. This question is addressed by reading what several early fathers actually say about this issue. Why do Christians burn candles in Church? Did the Original Christian Church Adopt Pagan Influences? Many sects like Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventists, and some fundamentalist groups claim that the Catholic Church corrupted primitive Christianity with pagan beliefs. Book Reviews A Critique of "The Doctrine of the Trinity: Christianity's Self-Inflicted Wound," by Anthony Buzzard and Charles Hunting. Mr. Buzzard is something of a Ebionite Christian (he does not believe in the deity of Jesus and probably believes that "true" Christians should live by the Old Testament). The evidence of the trinity in the New Testament Book Reviews of Bart Ehrman texts, David Bercot, and Hannah Smith. Biblical Issues The New Testament, Faith, and the Resurrection What exactly does "inerrancy" mean? Is this particular doctrine necessary to be an evangelical Christian? Could it be that inerrancy actually works against New Testament faith? Was the wine in the bible alcoholic? The New Testament and tithing When the Jerusalem Council met they did not include tithing in their demands on the new Gentile Christians. Does the NT support the concept of tithing? Culture and Opinion Why Are There So Few Muslim Terrorists? Prof. Thomas Kidd answers this, his own rhetorical question. I take him to task for misleading his audience. Faith and Certainty A response to a critic of Christianity who suggests a conspiracy theory to explain Jesus, the supposed resurrection, and the early growth of Christian faith. Gay Rights - a Response A response to a critic of conservative Christianity who complains that Christians focus on cultural "hot button" issues like abortion, homosexuality, and evolution. This response shows how Christians are simply responding to having these issues jammed down the throats of their children without any respect for their beliefs - with intolerance. Thoughts on the movie, End of the Spear A great movie - it reminds me of my missionary experience in Argentina many years ago. I relate a bit of my personal time with Philip Saint, brother of Nate Saint, the martyred pilot of the movie. |
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