Monthly Archives: April 2016

A UMC Church, and God Qualifying the Called

Posted on April 30, 2016 by jamesbradfordpate

I moved to Oregon recently, and I am checking out the local churches.  In contrast to my last move, which was to Washington, I am not particularly eager this time around to plant my roots at one church.  Right now, … Continue reading →

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Brace Yourself…

Posted on April 27, 2016 by jamesbradfordpate

Many of you are probably familiar with the Boromir meme.  You know, Boromir, from the Lord of the Rings.  Boromir is geared up for battle, and the top of the meme says “Brace yourself…”  Then the bottom of the meme … Continue reading →

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Who are the 24 Elders in Revelation 4?

Posted on April 14, 2016 by jamesbradfordpate

Reading Acts The Twenty-Four Elders by William Blake The 24 elders in Revelation 4-5 are a good test-case for methods of interpretation in this unusual book. What is important in this vision is the worship God receives from all of … Continue reading →

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Ezekiel 28:16: Satan? Adam? Who?

Posted on April 13, 2016 by jamesbradfordpate

I read four Bible verses each day in Hebrew and Greek.  Right now, I am in the Book of Ezekiel.  I have been reading the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint for that book.  I read it on my BibleWorks, which … Continue reading →

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History and general revelation

Posted on April 13, 2016 by jamesbradfordpate

Originally posted on theoutwardquest:
As my posts concerning the work of both Douglas Campbell and Samuel V. Adams show, I am not convinced by their apocalyptic theology.  I like the idea of apocalyptic that stresses that God’s salvation is not…

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Book Write-Up: Forgiving My Daughter’s Killer

Posted on April 12, 2016 by jamesbradfordpate

Kate Grosmaire, with Nancy French.  Forgiving My Daughter’s Killer: A True Story of Loss, Faith, and Unexpected Grace.  Nashville: Nelson Books, 2016.  See here to buy the book. Andy and Kate Grosmaire had a daughter named Ann.  Ann had a … Continue reading →

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Review: 16 Strivings for God

Posted on April 12, 2016 by jamesbradfordpate

Originally posted on Bob on Books:
16 Strivings for God, Steven Reiss. Macon: Mercer University Press, 2015. Summary: A new psychology of religious experience that argues that religions enjoy such a wide embrace because they offer repeated opportunities to satisfy…

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Adams-how new is the new creation?

Posted on April 12, 2016 by jamesbradfordpate

Originally posted on theoutwardquest:
Samuel V. Adams in The Reality of God and Historical Method has a section on “Paul’s Epistemology”.  Epistemology is the philosophical attempt to answer the question of how we know what we know.  The idea of…

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Book Write-Up: The Atonement, by Beverly Lewis

Posted on April 11, 2016 by jamesbradfordpate

Beverly Lewis.  The Atonement.  Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2016.  See here to buy the book. Lucy Flaud, an Amish woman in her twenties, is doing a lot of community service work to atone for something she did in the past.  She … Continue reading →

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“Cannons”, Grace, and Grief

Posted on April 10, 2016 by jamesbradfordpate

I visited another church this morning.  I have called it “The Sarah Palin church” because it is related to a church that Sarah Palin attended in Wasilla, Alaska. This church’s service had four or five praise and worship songs before … Continue reading →

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