BROWSE THE COLLECTION
Author: Marc Bates
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The Cosmic Temple and the Pattern of Creation: A Biblical Theology of Genesis 1
The opening chapter of Genesis has become a central point of contention in contemporary theological discourse. Since the Enlightenment, Western interpreters have often approached the biblical creation account with a strict expectation of scientific materialism, seeking answers concerning…
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The Problem of the Flattened Text
Silent reading of the biblical text on a printed page eliminates the performative, oral, and embodied dimensions that originally characterized its transmission and theological impact. It is a common misconception that the earliest Christians engaged with Scripture in…
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The Organic Unity of the Promise-Plan: A Synthesis of Biblical Coherence
This article argues that the sixty-six books of the Protestant canon constitute a single, organic unity, aptly described as the “Promise-Plan of God.” Drawing on Walter C. Kaiser Jr.’s biblical theology, the early church fathers’ defense of scriptural…
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What Are the Virtues of Kingdom People?
that align believers with the present reality of God’s reign, rather than as abstract or unattainable moral ideals. Interpreting the ethical instructions of Jesus of Nazareth, particularly those in the Sermon on the Mount, requires resisting the tendency…
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How Christian Theologies Shape and Sometimes Distort Our Reading of Scripture
The human mind inevitably constructs frameworks to organize divine revelation. Frequently, the Bible is read through interpretive lenses shaped by centuries of Western theological debate, which may clarify or significantly distort the original intent of the biblical authors.
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The Grammar of Devotion: Defining the Exclusive Worship of Yahweh
This article contends that the “grammar” of early Christian devotion—its structure of worship, honor, and exclusive address—demonstrates that the earliest believers included Jesus within Yahweh’s unique identity. Rather than presenting Jesus as a second deity or merely an…
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The Divine Mind in Human Flesh
A comprehensive understanding of orthodox Christology requires holding two seemingly contradictory truths about Jesus’ knowledge during his earthly ministry. The Gospels do not offer a direct account; instead, they portray a figure who transcends the conventional boundaries between…
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Philosophy, an introduction for Christians.
We often see our faith as pure, untouched by philosophy. Yet the lens through which you read the Bible today is shaped by ancient Greeks, medieval monks, and modern skeptics. To walk faithfully now, understand the hidden structure…
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The Edenic Dilemma: A Dialogue on Adam’s Choice, Covenant Solidarity, and the Fall
The original thesis presented in “The Providential Necessity of Adam’s Fall” ignited a fierce theological conversation. To claim that Adam sinned out of covenant solidarity with Eve rather than mere foolishness challenges centuries of simplistic assumptions.
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The Linguistic Landscape of First-Century Palestine
The sociolinguistic environment of first-century Palestine was a highly complex and multilingual world. Traditional portrayals often envision Jesus of Nazareth in an isolated rural setting; however, historical and archaeological records demonstrate a markedly different reality—a society in which…