It has generally been accepted that the ecumenical creeds as we have them today, are mainly responses to the issues that were debated when they were written. In as much as creeds have nourished faith and undergirded ecclesial worship for centuries, however, they may not deeply present all the most important things that we should … Read more
The rapid emergence of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT has prompted a wave of interest among Christian leaders, theologians, and ministry workers. Some have focused on AI’s existential and long-term implications; others on immediate applications, tools, and prompting techniques. Between these extremes lies a pressing theological and practical need: a framework for how ministry … Read more
With the 1700th celebration of Nicaea this year, it seems appropriate to bring out the fathers’ wisdom on virtue as it relates to spirituality, theology, and ministry. The fathers are well known for their articulation and defense of biblical orthodoxy, but their spiritual and virtuous life was the undergirding factor for such articulation. In Morals … Read more
Creeds in general, and the Nicene Creed in particular, answer the ontological longings within mankind. To argue this, I will first take an interdisciplinary overview to situate anthropology, virtue, theology, culture, and creeds. This section is largely synthetic. Research has revealed the threefold dimensions of the heart: cognition, affection, and volition (Pierre). The theological virtues … Read more
When one first positions the Great Commission in the framework of the Missio Trinitas, then one can accurately discuss the missional, ontological argument for the church. When the church neglects the Missio Trinitas when considering the Great Commission, it can lead to a lack of doxological motivation for the Great Commission, illiteracy of the Triune … Read more
While there have been ample apologetic responses to objections of the doctrine of the Trinity, few in recent years have sought to undergird their the apologetic approach with a robust understanding of the Trinity as communicated in Scripture. To help bring insight into this area of apologetics, two apologists who lived during the twentieth century … Read more
In Acts 17:26, Luke, inspired by the Spirit of God, records Paul proclaiming to the people of Athens that God “made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place.” This was part of a larger explanation … Read more
Abstract I Believe in the Forgiveness of Sins The Apostles creed affirms: “I believe in the forgiveness of sins.” What is it we believe? The paper asserts the heart of the doctrine of forgiveness of sins is the sacrificial, atoning death of Christ. Sin is the context of forgiveness and is preceeded by repentence. Paper’s … Read more
While the Council of Nicaea is best known for its watermark creed and political context, this paper will examine the pastoral theology of the Canons of Nicaea. Often neglected in the study of Nicaea, the Canons give a snapshot of the shared convictions about ministry and illuminate the pastoral concerns of the leaders behind the … Read more
Our contemporary culture immerses individuals into perpetually changing contexts that require novel responses. Communication increasingly relies on a progression of ad-hoc experiences, where meaning is constructed and interpreted within specific, situated contexts (Mauri 2021, 3). This reliance on ad hoc language requires we create novel features in our language to navigate fragmented contexts. How does … Read more