The hottest Theology Substack posts right now

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The Theology of the Hypsistarian Church

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 746 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology Prayer Morality Monotheism
  1. The Hypsistarian Church focused on monotheistic beliefs in a deity known as God Most High.
  2. Plutarch's writings provide insights into the theological beliefs and practices of the Hypsistarians, drawing connections to ancient monotheistic traditions.
  3. Ancient prayers and inscriptions reveal the reverence and worship of God Most High as the eternal, just, and wise creator of the cosmos.

Answers to Job

Bentham's Newsletter • 137 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology Philosophy God Afterlife
  1. God's response to Job highlights the limitations of human knowledge and the complexity of theodicy.
  2. The argument discusses the idea that the sufferings and evils in the world might be outweighed by unknown afterlife goods.
  3. The dialogue challenges the notion that each evil in the world can be interpreted as evidence of an indifferent universe, emphasizing the presence of identity-affecting actions.

God's an Infinity, Not a Trinity

Going Awol • 79 implied HN points • 12 Apr 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology Religion Philosophy Beliefs God
  1. The Love Argument for the Trinity suggests that God's triune nature can be logically supported by the concept of perfect love, which would require more than one divine person.
  2. The Love Argument overlooks the idea of love for large groups, like football teams or countries, which could indicate the need for an infinite number of divine persons in God's being.
  3. Considering the Love Argument, it may make more sense to view God as an Infinity of divine persons rather than strictly a Trinity, as the concept of love can extend beyond three persons.

Christianity and Liberalism

Restoring Truth • 117 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity Liberalism Theology Orthodoxy Doctrine
  1. Theological liberalism distorts the true message of Christianity by replacing biblical truth with inclusivity and social justice.
  2. J. Gresham Machen's book, 'Christianity and Liberalism,' from 100 years ago still resonates today in its timeless critique of theological decay.
  3. It's crucial for believers to hold fast to sound theology and not be swayed by trendy or compromised interpretations of the Christian faith.
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On the Omnipotence Paradox: The Laws of Thought are Beyond God's Power

Ethics Under Construction • 5 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Metaphysics Logic Theology Ethics Existentialism
  1. God's power is limited by the laws of logic and reason, meaning He can’t do the impossible, like creating contradictions.
  2. If God cannot change necessary truths, then He also cannot change contingent truths; this suggests that God's power is not absolute.
  3. The idea of an all-powerful God becomes meaningless if we accept that God must operate within logical boundaries, similar to everyone else.

1700 Years of Lent: One Protestant’s Perspective on the Value of Lenten Observance

The Worldview Bulletin Newsletter • 98 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity Theology Lent
  1. Lent emerged in church history after the Council of Nicaea as a 40-day preparation for Easter, but Reformers had varying views on its value and practice.
  2. Even though Lent is not in Scripture, it can still be spiritually enriching if approached in line with biblical principles.
  3. Observing Lent can be formative in one's walk with Christ by taking on devotional practices and focusing on aspects like scriptural reading, thematically relevant passages, and journaling.

The Fieriest Problem for Eternal Hell

Going Awol • 139 implied HN points • 19 Aug 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology Philosophy Religion
  1. Some people believe in the concept of eternal hell, where individuals are retributively punished for their earthly wrongdoings and can never leave.
  2. The 'Strong View of Hell' argues that sins against a being of infinite dignity, like God, deserve infinite punishment, leading to the belief that even small sins warrant infinite consequences.
  3. Critics of the Strong View of Hell point out logical inconsistencies, such as the problem of infinitely punishing individuals for finite wrongs and the moral implications of such eternal retribution.

Theism and Privacy

Going Awol • 59 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Philosophy Ethics Theology Belief God
  1. Some people are anti-theists who actively hope there is no God due to concerns about privacy being compromised if God knows everything about everyone.
  2. The belief that God's existence could lead to privacy violations is argued against by the idea that God, if morally good, would not misuse private information and could use it to benefit individuals.
  3. The discussion around privacy and theism raises questions about whether privacy violations are inherently bad and if a desire for total privacy, even from God, is rational.

The One Unforgivable Sin

Outlandish Claims • 19 implied HN points • 13 May 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology Christianity Spiritual beliefs Miracles
  1. In Christianity, all sins can be forgiven except blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which is an unforgivable sin leading to eternal damnation.
  2. Understanding the relative importance of different goals is vital for making informed decisions and avoiding failure.
  3. Love the whole world recklessly, treat everything as holy until proven otherwise, and be open to learning from diverse experiences.

One Paragraph Book Reviews, Part 2

Going Awol • 79 implied HN points • 02 Aug 23
📚 Literature Book Reviews Theology Philosophy Ethics War
  1. Truckers face increased surveillance with Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) that track and log their activities, affecting their freedom and safety
  2. God and the Atom by Ronald Knox provides unique theological insights on the atomic bomb post-Nagasaki and Hiroshima
  3. Rossian Ethics explores non-consequentialist moral theory, focusing on _prima facie_ duties and ethical dilemmas

What Would Jesus Really Do?

Nonsense on Stilts • 39 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Morality Philosophy Religion Theology Ethics
  1. Many religious philosophers don't agree on moral issues like the trolley problem. It shows that moral clarity may not be as strong in religion as some claim.
  2. Interestingly, atheistic philosophers seem to have a clearer stance on the trolley problem compared to theistic ones.
  3. Overall, this raises questions about whether religion truly resolves moral dilemmas or if it creates more confusion.

Indicted, or Dead?

Hunter’s Substack • 19 implied HN points • 09 Apr 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology Christianity Judaism
  1. The Holocaust presents a profound theological challenge to both Judaism and Christianity, questioning their beliefs about God's role and man's freedom.
  2. The Jewish response to the Holocaust varies, with some theologians justifying it as punishment while others see it as sacrificial or divine intervention for modernity.
  3. Christian theology confronts the Holocaust by altering traditional views of the benevolence of God, leading to the development of death-of-God theology.

Beyond the Grade: Uvalde, Satan and the Problem of Evil

Humanities in Revolt • 159 implied HN points • 09 Jun 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Philosophy Theology Religion Ethics Spirituality
  1. The problem of evil questions how an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God allows unnecessary suffering and evil in the world.
  2. The existence of Satan presents a challenge to the perception of God's omnipotence and goodness.
  3. Philosophical discussions around the problem of evil suggest various explanations, such as the free-will defense, to reconcile God's qualities with the presence of evil.

A Raceless Gospel for Ex-Colored People

Journal of Free Black Thought • 40 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology Christianity Identity Social justice Belief
  1. Racelessness is about moving closer to each other and embracing a kin-dom beyond race.
  2. Race was created for colonialism's sake and we should aim for racelessness as a form of decolonization.
  3. Rejecting race-based identities, promoting self-discovery beyond societal expectations, and striving for a world free from white supremacy are crucial.

New Wineskins for the American Church

DruGroup • 59 implied HN points • 22 May 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity Theology Spiritual growth
  1. The American church is losing focus on what really matters. Instead of focusing on the core beliefs, too much energy is wasted on small, divisive issues.
  2. There's a shift towards disciple-making in smaller, deeper ways. This approach values relationships and humility over size and loudness.
  3. Identifying with Global Christianity offers hope. This strategy values quiet and humble influence rather than trying to control culture with big, loud efforts.

Bodies Bodies [1]

The Author Is Dumb • 4 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Theology Literature Art Education Politics
  1. Exegesis is about understanding the Bible as a text. It means looking at the historical context and what the text really says, not just what you believe it should say.
  2. It's okay to study theology without being a believer. People take these classes for different reasons, and belief isn’t needed to engage with the material critically.
  3. The course involves challenging readings that are intended to push students. Engaging with these challenges is a key part of learning and growing in understanding.

Not So Idolatrous

Polymathic Being • 39 implied HN points • 26 Nov 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology Religious texts
  1. The story of the Golden Calf from the Bible is not as simple as it seems and has layers of cultural and historical context.
  2. The Bible was compiled from different sources, including the Yahwist, Elohist, Deuteronomist, Priestly, and other writings.
  3. The use of the Golden Calf as an idol by the Israelites had a symbolic connection to their beliefs and was not entirely illogical.

Stop Converting, Start Recruiting

DruGroup • 99 implied HN points • 05 Jul 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity Church Theology Spirituality
  1. Everyone who follows Jesus is part of a holy priesthood, not just some special group. This means all believers share the same role and responsibility.
  2. Instead of just trying to convert people to attend church, we should be recruiting them to join a community of believers. It's about helping them understand their place in the spiritual family.
  3. The church is not just an organization but the people and their relationship with Christ. If you are in Christ, you are part of the church, and you can't really separate them.

How to Radicalize a Church (in One Easy Step)

Think Future • 19 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion Church Radicalization Theology Ethics
  1. To radicalize a person or church, consistently promote fear with phrases like "The wolf is at the door."
  2. There are strategies to turn a religious tradition toxic, detailed in the free e-book "Combat Theology: How to Weaponize and De-Weaponize a Religion."
  3. Even though de-weaponizing a religion is difficult, historical examples show even faith-based terrorists can change, like two of Jesus' twelve disciples.

I Want a Mission, Not a Job

Theology • 3 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology Philosophy Mission Writing Industry
  1. Having a mission is more fulfilling than just having a job. People thrive when they feel their work has purpose beyond just earning a paycheck.
  2. Engaging with clients and listening to their stories can lead to better product development and marketing strategies. It's about understanding real needs, not just making sales.
  3. Being critical and honest in your field can drive change and innovation. Writing and speaking authentically helps challenge the status quo and inspire others.

Books Worth Mentioning

DruGroup • 79 implied HN points • 03 Jan 22
📚 Literature Books Fiction Non-fiction Theology Leadership
  1. Reading expands your knowledge and can take you to new places, even if you're not traveling.
  2. A good book list can include gems from different categories like theology, fiction, leadership, and discipleship.
  3. Books can have a big impact on your thoughts and beliefs, making it worthwhile to explore different authors and subjects.

What Jesus Left Behind

DruGroup • 59 implied HN points • 26 May 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity Theology Community Spirituality Authority
  1. Jesus left behind a massive inheritance, not of money, but of authority to the church and its leaders. This means we have a big responsibility and power to guide our communities.
  2. The church is meant to be a supportive community, not a strict hierarchy or a disconnected group. It's important to nurture relationships and work together to follow Jesus' teachings.
  3. We should always be open to reforming and improving the church. Engaging different voices and perspectives helps us make better decisions and stay true to the mission of Jesus.

Double Predestination, Part I: Predestination Unto Life

Taboo Topic • 21 implied HN points • 19 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology Christianity
  1. Double predestination refers to the theological concept that God predetermines who will be saved and who will be condemned.
  2. Man's perspective and God's perspective on free will may differ, with God's plan ultimately prevailing.
  3. God's nature involves choosing specific individuals for His purposes, showing favor through grace, and equipping believers with unique roles.

Thinking Diagonally about the Church

DruGroup • 39 implied HN points • 23 Nov 21
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Community Engagement Identity politics Theology
  1. The church is not just another part of the community; it works across many areas like a network and connects people from all backgrounds.
  2. Thinking of the church in terms of identities is limiting. The church should bring together all kinds of people and intersect various identities to be truly effective.
  3. Leaders need to adopt 'diagonal thinking' to see the church as a whole. This means stepping away from viewing it strictly as a business or identity group and understanding its broader role in the community.

A More Lenient Theory of Casual Reference

Hunter’s Substack • 1 HN point • 13 Apr 24
📖 Philosophy Metaphysics Epistemology Ethics Theology Logic
  1. The theory of causal reference, as proposed by Putnam, faces challenges as it may not adequately explain how individuals can refer to things with which they have no direct causal connection.
  2. Concepts can be developed from prior causal experiences to enable meaningful reference to phenomena regardless of direct causal history, challenging the strict causal necessity theory of reference.
  3. The mind's ability to create new concepts from prior experiences provides a plausible explanation for how individuals can refer to abstract or novel ideas, even if they lack direct causal connections.

Speaking of You

DruGroup • 19 implied HN points • 20 Dec 21
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology Personal Stories Community Engagement Coaching
  1. The author appreciates their readers and encourages them to share articles. This sharing helps grow the readership and reach others who may find the content valuable.
  2. The decision was made to keep the subscription free rather than introducing a paid option. The author values continued engagement without charging their audience.
  3. The author is open to addressing reader questions and interests in future writings. They invite feedback on what topics readers want to explore next.

Right Theology, and Radical Love

The Dissenting Opinion • 0 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Faith Love Bible Theology Christianity
  1. Radical love involves loving even our enemies and going beyond loving only those who love us.
  2. Difficulty doesn't always equate to love; true love is demonstrated through patience, kindness, and not rejoicing in wrongdoing.
  3. Understanding and following the teachings of the Bible is essential in practicing radical love, as it defines what is truth and wrongdoing.

Imagining Jonathan Smith: The Ontological Implications of 'Imagining Religion'

Hunter’s Substack • 0 implied HN points • 25 Nov 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion Philosophy Buddhism Theology
  1. The compatibility of religion and science has been a long-standing debate, with notable public intellectuals arguing that they are actually mutually compatible despite differing perceptions.
  2. Jonathan Z. Smith's approach to the study of religion emphasizes a secular viewpoint, challenging scholars to be self-conscious about religious biases in academic study.
  3. Smith's perspective on religion raises questions about the nature of consciousness and the challenges of categorizing and studying religion due to the subjective and non-isolatable aspects of religious beliefs and practices.