Parchment & Pen Blog

I was teaching the other day on hermeneutics (the science and art of biblical interpretation). More specifically, I was teaching on the importance of what is known as “authorial intent” or “historical grammatical” hermeneutics. Hermeneutics is a fancy word that has to do with one’s method of interpreting the Bible. An “authorial intent” hermeneutic simply [...]

Reclaiming the Mind Ministries is finalizing the details about a new nine week course that will be offered on the relationship between Science and the Bible (taught by Robert Bowman). I am really excited about this seeing that there is not much out there that is available that is fair and balanced. Question for you: [...]

My heart is heavy within me. My soul is vexed. Oh, that the loftiness of my Calvinistic brothers and sisters would be humbled. Oh, that they would represent the spirit which our theology demands. But such is not often found. I have written on this before, but I feel I must lodge my complaint once [...]

HT: JT

I heard the song on the radio today. “Angel” by Sarah McLachlan. I hate that song. Every time it comes on, I change it. I usually don’t run from such pain, but I can’t . . . not that song. We played it at the funeral. “In a cold dark hotel room . . .” [...]

One of the greatest tragedies in my Christian formative years, was that I cheerleaded into believing some so-called spiritual facts about God and Christianity that unfortunately had no meaningful foundation in the pages of Biblical text.  The fact that I was an avid Bible reader meant very little, especially since I was using the text [...]

Wanting to understand Mormons and Jehovah’s witnesses? Rob Bowman’s elective for The Theology Program, Understanding Mormons and  Jehovah’s Witnesses is now available on iTunes for free. Also, here is the XML for other podcasters. Issues covered: Are Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses Christian? What is the Mormon view of the Scripture? History of Joseph Smith What [...]

Transubstantiation is the belief held by Roman Catholics that the bread and wine at the Eucharist transform miraculously into the body and blood of Christ. While the accidents (the taste, smell, and all non-essential qualities) do not change, the substance of the bread and wine do change into the actual body and blood of Christ. [...]