Theologikarl

I never want to become a ‘weird’ Christian. Some of you may think that its too late for that. Some people may think that just by being a Christian its too late for that. But what I mean is, I never want to be the sort of Christian to lay down my brain at the door, or the sort of Christian that buys into every conspiracy theory going, or to become so tied to my ‘Christian culture’ that I stand up for things that aren’t all that relevant to the gospel message itself. Not to preach on this, but God isn’t a Republican or a Democrat, he doesn’t vote National or Labour, and even if the conspiracy theorists are right and the Illuminati are controlling everything, how does that impact our call to “live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” while praying “for kings and those in authority” (1 Timothy 2:2)? God created logic, He made our brains for a reason, and He expects us to use them to think logically and rationally. But on the flipside, we shouldn’t be limited ...

 A YouTube Devotional for 16 March 2021. ~~~ A verse I mentioned on Sunday was Romans 12:28, which in the New Living Translation says: “Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.” The same verse in the New King James Version says: “Since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” The wording of the second translation has really struck me, particularly the idea that we need grace in order to serve God acceptably. In Greek, the phrase translated as “grace” or “thankful” (or in other versions “gratitude”) is echo charis . Echo means either to have, hold or keep something, or to be something. And that something that we are to have, hold, keep or be is charis . Charis means “grace, the state of kindness and favour toward someone, often with a focus on a benefit given to the object. By extension it a...

I am a little hesitant to begin this blog. I have thought about beginning it numerous times, but I have always been held back by a few things. Firstly, and most importantly, I am concerned that I will say something that later on I realise I was wrong about. This is highly likely. Whenever I think I have my theology all sorted out, God does something to mess it up. Funnily enough, an infinite and omnipotent God refuses to be boxed in by my own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). But, I suppose, that is what grace is all about. If I make mistakes, as I undoubtedly will, God can cover me, and will look at my heart. Hopefully, my heart is one that is always seeking to serve Him. Though, sometimes, I doubt it. Secondly, as soon as someone begins to write theology, they will inevitably find that people disagree with them. I know  that people disagree with me on a lot  of issues, and if I undertake to write about them, then there is a chance I will receive some flack for my views – that ...