THE APOSTLE PAUL WROTE, "Look at what is before your eyes" (2 Cor. 10:7a). He continued, "Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves... when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding" (2 Cor. 10:12). We must …
Amazing Scope of Romans 8
I CANNOT UNDERTAKE ANALYSIS of a Scripture passage without saying something about exegesis. This process involves careful historical, literary, or theological analysis of a text or passage. Exegesis can be called scholarly reading; reading in a way that determines the essence of the text through complete, systematic examination—grappling with arguments that speak for or against …
Sixty-Eight Percent!
IF I WERE TO TELL you there is a malady affecting sixty-eight percent of Christian men, would you not want to hear about it? Further, would you be concerned that this issue prevents Christians from being filled with the Holy Spirit? Without a Spirit-filled life, a Christian cannot flow in the peace and power of …
Act Like Men: Part 1
BAD NEWS. MEN ARE IN TROUBLE. James MacDonald says the five main areas where men spend their money—electronics, sports, cars, gambling, and alcohol—are clues to a self-centered perspective on life (1). Jason Allen writes, "Not that long ago, the phrase man of God was a common and honored descriptor in the church, but today it …
Set Your Hearts
Written by Steven Barto, B.S. Psy., M.A. Theology THE SPIRITUAL LIFE IS to be lived no matter the cost, as it is the means through which Christians participate in the Kingdom of God while still in the flesh. Redemption and sanctification rescued us from the bondage of sin and set us apart for divine service. …
Let’s Go to Theology Class: The Poor in Spirit
The following is from the third discussion assignment in Christian Ethics in pursuit of my M.A. in Theological Studies. We were instructed to apply the authority of Scripture to one of the beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount. Written by Steven Barto, B.S., Psy. I chose blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs …
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Let’s Go to Theology Class: What Difference Does Christianity Make in Ethics?
The following is from my Second discussion assignment in Christian Ethics in pursuit of my M.A. in Theological Studies. We were asked to determine whether a person can be moral without Christianity; and, further, what difference being a Christian has made in our personal sense of morality. Written by Steven Barto, B.S., Psy. My initial …
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Let’s Go to Theology Class: Apologetics Interview
After some delay, I am able to share my final paper in "Apologetics" as part of my master's in theological studies at Colorado Christian University. Instructions were to interview someone who was an atheist or skeptic regarding Christianity. I hope you will find this paper beneficial. I really enjoyed doing this assignment. Introduction The primary …
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Let’s Go to Theology Class: The Most Important Event
The following summary is from my most recent class in Church History in pursuit of my master’s degree in theology at Colorado Christian University. In the opening chapter of the reading for this section, Justo L. Gonzalez (2010) makes this statement: “…from the perspective of the history of Christianity, the most important event of the …
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The Choice to “End it All.”
Written by Steven Barto, B.S., Psy. IT WAS FOUR IN the afternoon. I was driving along the river in my home town. It was the fourth decade of my struggle with active addiction. Overwhelmed with thoughts of utter failure, rabid hypocrisy and complete hopelessness, I started ruminating about the idea of suicide. Why not? It …