KNOWING HOW TO READ the epistles is very important. Twenty-one of the 27 books in the New Testament fall into this category, establishing the importance of their application to Christian living. Specifically, I wish to focus on Romans. Paul noted the critical function of God's righteousness in Romans 1:16-18. Martin Luther struggled personally with this …
What Does Spiritual Progress Look Like?
Written by Steven Barto, B.S.,Psy., M.A. Theology Change Requires Growth For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great …
History of the Church Part Four: Dissension and the Protestant Reformation
Written by Steven Barto, B.S., Psy., M.A. Theology religious dissension : discord, strife, conflict, contention, variance; a state or condition marked by a lack of agreement or harmony; implies essential lack of harmony producing quarreling and antagonism. THE CHURCH NEEDED DRASTIC reformation even before Martin Luther came on the scene. However, before Luther could hope …
Continue reading "History of the Church Part Four: Dissension and the Protestant Reformation"
What About This Man Called Job?
Written by Steven Barto, B.S., Psy. CURSE GOD AND DIE. Withhold your praise and adoration, for He has assailed you without reason. You did nothing wrong. Are you not righteous? Do you not seek His face daily? Have you not repented, turning from your wicked ways? Did you lie today? No! Did you steal from …
Why Can’t I Follow My Heart?
"The good man out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure produces evil; for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks" (Luke 6:45, RSV). Written by Steven Barto, B.S., Psych. LATELY, I HAVE BEEN obsessed with whether I have a heart …
Let’s Go to Theology Class: The Works of Christ
The following is a summary of my most recent lesson in pursuit of my master’s in theology at Colorado Christian University concerning the “Work” of Jesus. By Steven Barto, B.S., Psy. Grudem joins most Evangelicals in affirming that the penal substitutionary theory is the primary theory and most important way to understand Jesus’ atoning work. …
Continue reading "Let’s Go to Theology Class: The Works of Christ"
Let’s Go to Theology Class: The Person of Christ
The following is a summary of my most recent class in pursuit of my master's in theology at Colorado Christian University regarding the Divine/Human Aspect of Jesus Christ. By Steven Barto, B.S., Psy. I found information under the heading Biblical Perspective—Jesus Christ: Both God and Man to be a great springboard for this discussion. Indeed, …
Continue reading "Let’s Go to Theology Class: The Person of Christ"
Let’s Go to Theology Class: Calvin vs. Arminius
The following is a summary of my most recent class in pursuit of my Master’s in Theology at Colorado Christian University. Written by Steven Barto, B.S. Psy. For the purposes of this exercise, and not necessarily as a reflection of what you really believe, assume the stance of either an Arminian or a Calvinist. From …
Continue reading "Let’s Go to Theology Class: Calvin vs. Arminius"
For This Very Reason
"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective …
In Whom Are Hidden All the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge
"My goal is that [you] may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that [you] may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that [you] may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:2-3, NIV). By Steven Barto, B.S. …
Continue reading "In Whom Are Hidden All the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge"