January 2015 - The Nicene Nerd

The Hunger Games, Amos, and American Christianity

If you have any idea what this post is about by the title, you deserve a prize. I doubt the connection between the items is at all obvious, unless maybe you’ve recently given them each good thought. But there is a connection, and one that concerns me. To put it as concisely as possible, the … Continue reading

God Is One, The Bible Is Not

When it comes to a good book, Stephen King’s résumé just can’t compare. Thirty-nine plus twenty-seven equals sixty-six books. And if you’re Catholic, there’s even more. So goes the absurd rap parody, “Baby Got Book.” And it is correct. The Bible is actually 66 books. But from the way many people, both Christians and skeptics, … Continue reading

Beliefs about the Bible: Biblical Inspiration 101

The Bible: what a controversial book it is. The bestseller of all history, no other book is itself the subject of so many books. It’s so big that it’s not even one book, but really 66 different, connected but independent books (and if you’re Catholic, there’s even more!). Naturally, with the Bible being the kind … Continue reading

My Dog Ate My Prayerbook

If there’s one thing people are good at, it’s making excuses. I imagine we don’t even realize how many excuses we make for ourselves (and others!) in the average day. If you’re a Christian, you probably see this most clearly and painfully in your prayer life. Well, I guess you could be one of those … Continue reading

A Christological Argument Against Abortion

One of the greatest connections Evangelical Calvinism put together in my head is that Jesus is the image of God, and we were made in the image of God. The imago dei, that divine imprint we all bear, is grounded in our sharing of a nature with God in Christ. Jesus’ humanity makes our humanity … Continue reading

God Took the Blame (Or, A Little Thought About the Problem of Evil)

If God exists, why does evil? Is He too weak to stop it? Does He refuse? Did it catch Him off guard? These questions have challenged philosophers and theologians for thousands of years, and goodness knows I can add little or nothing to their many answers. But I just felt like sharing this thought on … Continue reading

I Don’t Believe in Hell

So, I don’t really believe in Hell. That’s right. I do not believe that Hell exists. And I sincerely doubt most of you do, either. Now, before you scream “heretic” and start gathering a mob, I should clarify that, if you were to ask me if Hell exists, I would certainly say “yes.” If you … Continue reading