WELCOME TO THEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES
The purpose of this website is to provide insights into a variety of theological issues and stimulate further investigation of the perspectives offered. The material presented will be systematic, straightforward and evidence based.
A major issue addressed on this website is the timing of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. I examine the scriptural and historical dynamics associated with this issue and answer the question: Is the the Second Coming of Jesus Christ a future event or a past reality? Don't assume you know the answer to this question. The answer is guaranteed to surprise and challenge you.
I will also deal with a variety of other issues that are of historical or current interest within the Christian community. In the left column, under "Links," are direct links to other websites that have articles that may be of interest to readers of this website. Such articles do not necessarily reflect this authors position on the material presented.
In June of 2004, I published a book about the timing of the second coming of Jesus Christ. The title is: When Will Christ Return? For details about this book and to order, go to Presence Ministries: www.presence.tv/cms/books251.php
To purchase this book direct from the author, request ordering instructions at:
TO AVOID NARROW COLUMNS OF NARRATIVE WHEN PRINTING ESSAYS FROM THIS WEBSITE, IT IS BEST TO COPY AND PASTE THEM TO YOUR WORD PROCESSOR AND PRINT THEM FROM THERE.
THE FOLLOWING ESSAYS ARE PRESENTLY AVAILABLE ON THIS WEBSITE
Hebrews: A Study In Covenantal Transition
This essay will review the entire book of Hebrews and discuss the dynamics that led to the transition from the Old Covenant system to the New Covenant System. It will be demonstrated that this transition took place during the forty years following the ascension of Jesus Christ in the first century and involved the return of Christ in judgement upon Israel.
This essay will demonstrate that the Kingdom Of God is a spiritual Kingdom and a present reality for those who express faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and pursue righteous living as citizens of the Kingdom.
Homosexuality has become a contentious topic in the Christian community. It has created much controversy and soul searching. This essay will provide a straightforward examination of the dynamics surrounding this issue.
The timing of the return of Jesus Christ, and all related events, is a major focus of this website. Most Christians view the return of Christ as a future event in association with resurrection, judgement and establishment of the Kingdom of God. This series of essays will examine this concept from a scriptural and historical perspective and provide a straightforward, well reasoned investigation of the dynamics involved.
This discussion appears in a series of fourteen essays. It is highly recommended that the reader read these essays in chronological order as one essay builds upon the material presented in the previous essay. I invite the reader to return often to read and study the material presented.
Evidence For The Resurrection Of Christ
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the basis for the Christian religious system. Can the resurrection be shown to be a valid occurrence? What evidence is there that the resurrection of Christ actually happened? In this essay we will examine this issue and show why the resurrection of Jesus Christ is a believable event.
Which Day Is The Christian Sabbath?
The fourth Commandment says, "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." God placed the Sabbath on the seventh day of the week. Why do most Christians worship on the first day of the Week? This essay will explore this issue in depth.
COMMENTARY ON "THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE"
The book, "The Purpose Driven Life," by author Rick Warren, has sold millions of copies world wide and has received rave reviews from much of the Christian community. This book provides many excellent insights but also presents a number of problematical statements which this commentary will deal with.
Are we saved by grace and grace alone? Is salvation unconditional? Are works required for salvation? What role does faith play in the salvation process? Christian leaders have labored over these questions for centuries. In this essay we will respond to these questions by carefully examining the issues involved.
Recognition of the Holy Spirit is foundational to the theological belief system of Christianity. In this essay we will examine the dynamic nature of the Holy Spirit and discuss its role in the life of a Christian.
THE CHRISTMAS CONTROVERSY
Is Christmas an accommodation to paganism? Are there valid reasons for avoiding this celebration? In this essay, we will evaluate the various objections to celebrating Christmas and determine whether these objections are legitimate.
The Revelation is the most controversial document in the New Testament. Many attempts have been made to decipher its many symbols and metaphors. The timing of its fulfillment has been enigmatic for centuries. In this seven part series of essays, we will look at the Revelation through the eyes of two interpretive approaches and let you decide which approach is most viable.
New Covenant versus Old Covenant law
(What Is The law Of The New Covenant?)
The keeping of law and its relationship to salvation and pleasing God has been a contentious topic in Christianity from the beginning. It was a major concern in the first century Church as seen in the letters of Paul and the book of Acts. It has continued to be an issue in the Church over the past 2000 years often dividing fellowships, families and friends. In this essay we will look at the dynamics of this issue and determine what is and what ain’t.
An Examination of the Reliability of Biblical Scripture
In this series of essays, we will examine the evidence for the reliability of the scriptures. We will study the issue of when the scriptures were written. We will discuss the dynamics associated with the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We will explore the methodologies used by the authors of scripture. We will look at the concepts of Biblical inerrancy and infallibility and address the issue of Divine inspiration. Lastly we will discuss the canonization process to show how the Bible, as we know it, came to be.
(AN EXAMINATION OF PREDESTINATION)
Predestination has been a controversial issue in Christianity for centuries. This controversy is highlighted by the differences in teaching between two sixteenth century Christian leaders, John Calvin and Jacobus Arminius. In this essay we will discuss their teachings and examine the issue of predestination in depth.
WHAT IS HOLINESS?
Holiness is a theme that runs throughout the scriptures. God is seen as holy. Humans are seen as holy. Things, places, days and events are seen as holy. The words holy and holiness appear hundreds of times in scripture. In this essay we will examine what holiness is and determine how we are holy before God.
IS GOD A TRINITY?
Is God Father, Son and Spirit? Is this concept of God upheld by the Scriptures? In this multi-part series of essays, we will examine in depth the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity and determine if there is evidence beyond reasonable doubt that this doctrine is valid or is God to be identified in some other way.
What happens after physical death is a concern of most humans. In this series of essays, we will examine the doctrine of the immortality of the soul and the various concepts of hell. We will discuss what it means to be resurrected from the dead and how this defines our eternal destiny. We will address the critical and difficult issue of what happens to the “unsaved” dead.