#theology101

#Theology101

Ask the Elder: What is purgatory and why don’t we believe in it like Catholics do? — Edgewater Presbyterian Church What happens when we die? How does God prepare us to be fully in His presence?

#Theology101 time! This time, a friend from Bryn Mawr Care asks me about #purgatory

#pcusa #chicagopresbytery @pcusa.bsky.social

Ask the Elder: What does the ‘IHS’ on the cross above Pastor Kristin mean? — Edgewater Presbyterian Church If you’ve ever looked closely at the Communion table, pulpit, or stained glass in many other traditional churches like ours, you may have noticed the letters IHS carved, stitched, or etched into the...

Christograms!

#asktheelder #theology101 #ihs #pcusa #chicagopresbytery @pcusa.bsky.social

It’s the First Sunday in Lent. Why is it “in” and not “of?” It’s part of Reform theology—which didnt change from the Roman one! Sundays are feast days to glorify God. We put aside our Lenten fasts and penance—and celebrate the Resurrection

#theology101 #pcusa #chicagopresbytery @pcusa.bsky.social

News flash! Jesus can be Savior of the world, Lord of all, Ruler over principalities and powers, Head of the church, AND ALSO promised Messiah of a future regenerate. repentant, restored Israel, mediating blessings to them, to the nations, and to all creation.
#Theology101

The Christian life is a pilgrimage of hope following the path of Christ with steps of faith and love.
#Theology101

The practical difference between a false prophet and a date-setter is seven letters and a hyphen.
#Theology101

Day after day, the horrible cacophony of the fallen creation cries out for the harmonious chorus of the renewed creation.
#Theology101

Churches should be less concerned that their worship might be irrelevant and more concerned that it might be irreverent. After all, it is supposed to be worship, right?
#Theology101

“The church of God is like an eye. If even a little mote falls into the eye, it blinds the whole sight; so, if even a few in the body of the church act indecently, it darkens the whole light of the church.” (Salvian, 5th Century)
#Theology101

The god of prosperity theology is an infernal idol who encourages the quest for earthly idols while puffing the pride and prosperity of human idols.
#Theology101

The god of “prosperity theology” is not the true God who created humanity in his image and provides for their needs, but a false god created by human imagination to satisfy their greed.
#Theology101

“The Church is not a theatre, that we should listen for amusement.” (John Chrysostom)
#Theology101

I feel like I live in a world where just being prudent, patient, temperate, and nuanced is unacceptable. I must be dramatic, urgent, extreme, and radically dissatisfied...and just as upset about everything as everybody else. Ummm...no: Galatians 5:22-23.
#Theology101

I can think of no theological discussion or disagreement within orthodoxy for which there are only two views. If somebody presents you with and either/or choice of either “this view” or “that view,” you’re being given a false choice and at least one straw man.
#Theology101

Truth is not less true when uttered by a hypocrite, but it is less trusted.
#Theology101

“What can’t be saved by right means is not worth saving. The good that can be purchased only by doing evil, costs too much.” (E. N. Bartlett)
#Theology101

Those who pit Jesus’s words against Paul’s words are actually pitting their own thoughts against God’s thoughts.
#Theology101

By narrating its true story of creation and redemption, the Bible is more than history, not less than history.
#Theology101

“Every system of theology should be read backwards at least once, commencing with the last things, since it is in the conclusion that we find the truest index to the whole.” (H. R. Mackintosh)
#Theology101

On this side of glory, neither total victory nor total defeat should be the common experiences of the Christian life. Struggle is the norm.
#Theology101

“As the physician is not evil to the sick man because he tells him of his fever—for the physician is not the cause of the fever, but only points out the fever—so neither is he, that reproves, ill-disposed towards him who is diseased in soul.” (Clement of Alexandria)
#Theology101

In the incarnation, God the Son took on a fully human nature; he did not take over a fully human person.
#Theology101

Date-setting is not just silly. It’s sinful.
#Theology101

If I were the archenemy of truth and righteousness, I’d make sure the Christian leaders who are most contentious and obnoxious get amplified while the promoters of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control get muted.
#Theology101

“This is my body, reduced to tiny, tasteless, individually square bits sealed in plastic for you to consume in a private moment of personal reflection and devotion, but hurry up because we only have two minutes,” said Jesus never.
#Theology101

I fear evangelicals have too often confused the promotion of their preacher, church, or institution with the promotion of Christ and the gospel.
#Theology101

Listening to some Christians on Communion Sunday, you’d think Christ is everywhere present except at the Lord’s Supper.
#Theology101

As Christians, our first allegiance must be to our one Lord, not to a political party, a social crusade, a charitable cause, or a cultural or national identity.
#Theology101

When believers lack discernment concerning the essentials and non-essentials of the Faith, they will fight long and hard over minor matters and shrug their shoulders at weighty issues.
#Theology101