Theology Blog
This Theological Blog is a place to openly discuss and share ideas. All are welcome to participate. It is important to know that these contents do not represent the views of the First Presbyterian Church of Newhall or the greater Presbyterian Church USA.
As Presbyterians we are all encouraged to read, study and pray scripture both alone and in community. We are to also pray that we may be guided by the Holy Spirit to live scripture. Paul tells us we must treat each other with humility and gentleness in our disagreements. We may not always be comfortable with divergent ideas, but that’s alright as we journey together learning to follow Christ.
Postings are public and will not be anonymous. All postings will first need to be approved by the moderator so they will not appear immediately.
#MeToo: WHERE WAS THE CHURCH WHEN THE CULTURE LOOKED AWAY FROM SEXUAL ABUSE IN THE WORKPLACE?
-by Roland Wrinkle God’s failed lab experiment: Combining testosterone with hubris. Movie moguls, TV stars, comedians, federal judges, senators, congressmen, Matt Lauer, Charlie Rose, civil rights icons, and, yes, pastors. All powerful and influential men accused of...
You Are Not “Just A Poor Sinner Saved By Grace” ; OK, You Are, But That’s Not The Point
by Roland Wrinkle Our Calvinist tradition teaches us, as the first T in the famous acronym TULIP, that we are “totally depraved.” Many of us believe we are saved by incantating the “Sinner’s Prayer” (“I know that I am a sinner. I know that I deserve the consequences...
WAS JESUS A DEMOCRAT OR A REPUBLICAN?
By Roland Wrinkle “That’s a stupid question. Political parties are a modern invention.” Yes, this may very well be a stupid question—but not for that reason. The Jewish milieu in first century Palestine was rife with political parties and Jesus had to “live and move”...
The Presbyterian Church: Architect of the Anti-Slavery Movement
author - Veronica Patton Intro: Presbyterian Resistance to Slavery Presbyterians are Anglo-Saxon American settlers who lived by the religious creed: “You shall not hand over to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you,” (Deuteronomy 23:15)...
DEAR DAD: I’M DONE WITH FOOTBALL, SORRY
Dear Dad, I just finished watching my last football game. I came upstairs to write that this had happened and why. You died 37 years ago at age 68. I am now 68. You raised me to love boxing and UCLA football and basketball. We bonded at...
THE GENERAL RESURRECTION OF THOSE IN CHRIST; DO WE REALLY BELIEVE OUR OWN SCRIPTURES? (PART I)
by Roland Wrinkle A FOREWORD. This is the first part of a multi-part series, authored by Jack and I (and possibly others) dedicated to exploring the issue of the “General Resurrection of Believers” and whether we have faith in it. Ask yourself this question: When is...
The Biblical Foundation for Why We Do Good Works: Because We Will Be Resurrected to The New Creation Here On Earth
by Roland Wrinkle I love this “church” (body of the Messiah). I love its members (my family). Perhaps most of all, I love the good works they consistently, tirelessly, ubiquitously, untiringly, obsessively, unselfishly, pridelessly and lovingly do. [It was...
the Lord’s Prayer
What is the difference between using “debts” and “trespasses” in saying the Lord’s prayer?
Is God’s Love Only Merciful or Is God’s Love Also Full of Justice?
By Jack Irwin, M.Div., Elder, First Presbyterian Church of Newhall, CA (PCUSA) It is my premise that one cannot talk of God’s love as concerned only with mercy, but one must also at the same time speak of God’s love as fully concerned with justice. It is my...
The Resurrection – from a different perspective
by Gary (a non-member of this family of faith) Are our pastors telling us the truth? Are Christian pastors honest with their congregations regarding the evidence for the Resurrection? Is there really a “mountain of evidence” for the Resurrection as our pastors claim...
WHY WE KILL “IN THE NAME OF GOD”
BECAUSE WE MISREAD (WITH FRIGHTENING CERTAINTY) OUR HOLY TEXTS By Roland Wrinkle “To such heights of evil are men driven by religion” Lucretius (1st Cent BC) Three months ago, fanatical, fundamentalist leaders of a Wahabist sect (an ultra-conservative branch of...
Start a new General discussion blog
by posting a reply (click the read more button =>)
THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS, AND THE NEW CREATION IT LAUNCHED, WILL NOT ALLOW US TO SEE THE WORLD TODAY AS A DARK AND DANGEROUS PLACE
by Roland Wrinkle Jesus was not a pessimist. Paul was not a cynic. God is not a doomsayer: Jesus said: “Do not fear.” (Matt. 10:31) and He said it over and over and over again. Paul said: “When the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I...
KING JESUS, I CAN’T WAIT FOR YOU TO COME—BUT TAKE YOUR TIME
by Roland Wrinkle Who I am and what I believe do not always align. Indeed, they often clash. Paul confessed to the Romans, “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” He was talking about sin, but I want to talk...
…more on reading the Bible
by Jack Irwin It is touted by all points of view that each's interpretation is based on "what the Bible Says." In the following I examine two points of view on how to interpret Scrhipture, which upon review turn out to be very contrary in the...