Parchment & Pen Blog

In last two posts, I have tried to define the Protestant doctrine of sola Scriptura. Specifically, I have tried to distinguish it from any theory that allows for or requires two sources of ultimate authority, tradition and Scripture (dual source theory). As well (and just as important), I have attempted to disassociate sola Scriptura from the [...]

I just got word this past Friday that my most recent book When God Goes to Starbucks (Baker Books) has finally been published. As with my other popular-level books in this “series” (including “True for You, But Not for Me,” “That’s Just Your Interpretation,” and “How Do You Know You’re Not Wrong?”), this book deals with [...]

Blomberg writes about what he concludes is an “underused” argument for the resurrection. “Whatever you think of the logic of Gamaliel’s argument as described in Acts 5 (leave the disciples alone and if the movement is not of God it will go away–but that sure hasn’t worked for Islam!), it’s interesting to apply it to [...]

When Angie (my sister) died, my father started drinking quite a bit. I think he blames himself for her death. All he can think of is that he was supposed to protect her. He was the last person who saw her. She was staying at my parents house and the morning of her disappearance she asked him [...]

Get PDF version I am thoroughly orthodox. No, not Eastern with a capital “O”, but orthodox meaning that I believe all the right things. Well . . . at least I think I am. But, really, it depends on how one defines “orthodox.” What does it mean to be orthodox? It would seem that this [...]

Wednesday, June 18, 2008. The day started at 11 am at the Greek Bible Institute in Pikermi, just outside of Athens. Late start because we thought driving to the famed monasteries of Meteora would take four hours. Four of us (Billy Todd, Tim Ricchuiti, Brian Wright, and Dan Wallace) shoehorned ourselves into a tiny car, [...]

Any attempt to defend a position is going to be met with three things: 1) reasoned rebuttal from those who are truly trying to understand yet disagree, 2) antagonistic reaction from those who see your argument as a threat to their favorite position and have an emotional reaction to it, and 3) misguided response from those [...]

This is a letter from Greg Eby, a student in The Theology Program, to his pastor about The Theology Program. ____________________ Remember the rigid Fundamentalism of the 60’s and early 70’s?  Or, more specifically, do you recall the Baptist Fundamentalism that was prevalent during this particular era of intense cultural upheaval?  I sure do… The [...]

Daniel Camacho (right) is 17 years old and a Junior in High School. He lives on Long Island, New York and aspires to be a Christian Philosopher/Theologian. I became acquainted with him this year, but when he joined Theologica I really became impressed. He wrote a blog post called “Why I Closed the Oprah Post After 224 Comments” that was [...]

Being in ministry—being in theological ministry—the passions run high. You are going to say some wrong things and you are going to have some wrong things said about you. Such is ministry. One needs to develop some thick skin if they seek to surf these waters. As a consequence of being misunderstood, you get mislabeled. [...]

“If it ain’t in the Bible, I don’t believe it.” Have you ever heard said that? How about this one: “The Bible says it, I believe it, that settles it.” You might have that bumper sticker. Why not? Doesn’t this represent the glory of the Protestant Reformation’s elevation of Scripture to a position of the [...]

Lisa Robinson over at Theologica has written a great post as a former Pentecostal I appreciate, considering my last post on conversionism, how she approached this with grace and tact. (I have posted this without her knowledge, but she is a friend and I am sure she wouldn’t mind.) I am not a Pentecostal/Charismatic. I [...]