In An Eastern Orthodox Perspective, Jefferson Vann examines a new translation of the New Testament, and compares the author’s treatment of the concept of final punishment with his own.Conditionalists voice our dissent against the traditional Western church understanding of human nature and destiny. Our arguments are with theologians like Augustine, whose teaching led to a … [Read more...]
Articles in this category reflect on a subject as treated by another published work. That work may be a book, an article in a periodical, or an online post. While most reviews will be of current material, some may focus on a work of historical importance.
Generally, reviews state the implied purpose of the work, evaluate the work as to whether it does or does not accomplish its purpose, and provide evidential references within the work to justify this evaluation.
Help for a hard parable
Jefferson Vann reviews a guide to the interpretation of parables, and is impressed with the book’s explanation of The Rich Man & Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31).When Stephen Wright reviewed Klyne R. Snodgrass’ Stories with Intent: A Comprehensive Guide to the Parables of Jesus in 2009, he said the book was “as close to an authoritative reference work on the parables … [Read more...]
The hook that caught me
The hook that caught meEven though I was raised in a conditionalist denomination, I was not always convinced of conditional immortality. I was sixteen years old when someone gave me a little booklet entitled “Why I Believe in Conditional Immortality” by Sidney A. Hatch. That booklet was the hook that caught me. I could not find a biblical refutation for its arguments, and I … [Read more...]
Review of The Meaning of Jesus
After years of friendship, two Bible scholars met to discuss their different views of Jesus. You and I are the beneficiaries of this discussion because it has helped to clarify the belief of many Christians about who Jesus really was, and is. The book, The Meaning of Jesus, (( Marcus J. Borg and N. T. Wright, The Meaning of Jesus. (HarperCollins e-books; 2nd edition), 2009. … [Read more...]
a futile quest?
I really do not think I have been wasting my time, but you be the judge. I have just read a 320 page book on immortality by a person who does not believe in it. The book is called Immortality: The Quest to Live Forever and How it drives Civilization by Stephen Cave. ((Stephen Cave, Immortality: The Quest to Live Forever and How it Drives Civilization. (New York: Crown … [Read more...]