This semester at Southeastern, I am taking a class on Anselm of Canterbury, who was a 12th century theologian and English bishop. For that class, I have to read all of Anselm’s major works. What’s neat about Anselm, though, is that all of his major works, unlike some older theologians, are contained in one small paperbook book that you can buy for under $15. Some may look down on this, but be that as it may, this man was brilliant, a master theologian, and he used only as many words as he needed to. That is why so many of his arguments are still hallmarks of Christian theology and thinking, such as the satisfaction view of the atonement of Christ and his idea of faith seeking understanding. This blog is about one of those brilliant concepts – the perception of reality. Read more... (1108 words, estimated 4:26 mins reading time)
Last week I gave a talk at Virginia Tech’s Campus Crusade for Christ meeting. The talk began by looking at the Fall and how the story of our parents first sin focused in on the idea of wisdom. We concluded that Adam and Eve fell because they wanted to be like God, in that they could, on their own, decide what was beneficial (or, good) for themselves and what was not beneficial (or, bad) for themselves. We then looked at the Flood and discussed that it was not a pretty children’s story, but was one where God poured out His wrath on deserving sinners. Genesis 6:5,8 says, “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually….But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” The end of doing what is right in our own eyes in death, both physically and spiritually. The only escape of His wrath is faith in God, as Noah had. Only by faith can one be looked at with favor by God. Read more... (1050 words, estimated 4:12 mins reading time)
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