Dr Paul Allen

Every year, substantial sums of money are allocated to the two major Christian churches in Germany. Last year, they received more than €600 million ($645 million) in state funding, in addition to the billions in church tax that the clergy receive. Understanding why huge state allowances go to the  Catholic  and  Protestant  Church takes us back more than two centuries to the 20 years of Napoleon's occupation of Germany at the beginning of the 19th century. After defeating what was then the first German Reich, the French ruler ordered a far-reaching separation of church and state, including the closure and expropriation of monasteries and other ecclesiastical institutions. A law dating back to 1803, known as the "Reichsdeputationshauptschluss" — often referred to in English as the Imperial Recess of 1803 — compelled the churches to cede money and land to often neighbouring secular principalities. As a form of compensation, they agreed to pay the salarie...

When multiple independent sources agree on the key contours of a story, it is worth considering the possibility that the narrative they share is credible. That is especially true when this shared story includes details that do not place the storyteller in the best light. So, what does all of this have to do with whether or not the resurrection really happened? Multiple independent sources agree on the same general sequence of events regarding the story of Jesus's resurrection. Every retelling of the resurrection mentions that Jesus died, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day, and that he appeared to specific individuals and groups. All four New Testament Gospels and a later independent retelling of the resurrection preserved in the manuscript Papyrus Cairo 10759 identify Mary Magdalene as the first witness at the empty tomb. When it comes to when and how Jesus died, the eminent Roman historian Tacitus agrees with the Gospel writers that Jesus was crucified in Jude...

Introduction The Holy Spirit is universally recognized by Christians as the third person of the Trinity—eternal, divine, and sharing God's attributes. His role spans creation, salvation, and sanctification. While Christians agree on the Spirit's work in inspiring Scripture, they differ on the extent and nature of his involvement in the world and in personal salvation. Biblical Survey of the Holy Spirit Old Testament The term rûaḥ refers to the Spirit of God, signifying wind, breath, or divine life. The Spirit empowered individuals like Bezalel (for craftsmanship), prophets, judges, and kings (e.g., Saul and David) for specific tasks. The Spirit’s presence was occasional and task-specific, not permanent for most individuals. New Testament The Gospels : The Spirit is central to Jesus' life—from his conception to baptism, ministry, death, and resurrection. He empowers Jesus for miracles and ministry. Acts : The Holy Spirit descends at Pentecost, initiating the church's gl...

Are the Bible’s Stories True? Archaeology’s Evidenc e Michael D. Lemonick December 18, 1995  In another part of the world, it would have been a straightforward public works project. A highway was too narrow to handle the increasing traffic flow, so the authorities brought in heavy equipment to widen it. Partway through the job, however, a road-leveling tractor uncovered the opening to a cave no one knew was there. Work came to an immediate halt, and within hours, a scientific swat team descended on the site to study it. That’s the law in Israel, where civilization goes back at least 5,000 years, and a significant archaeological find could lurk under any given square foot of real estate. Almost every empire since the beginning of Western history has occupied these lands or fought over them, or at least passed through — Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Greeks, Romans, Turks, Crusaders — leaving behind buildings, burial places, or artefacts. This is why there were about 300 active d...

“If you’re someone who loved old books–because you love church history and want others to share your enthusiasm–group Bible study can seem like a balancing act between trying to be helpful on one hand and appearing prideful on the other,” writes Travis Hearne for Southern Equip. Teach Theology  through Historic Controversies: Teach gripping stories from the past where different arguments come to life. “Gripping stories are great teaching devices, and the theological controversies from the church’s past are an excellent way to grapple with the deep things of God.” Summarize Truths  through Biblical Confessions: While there is some overlap with point one, many controversies produced statements of truth. “Creeds are helpful because they unite us with a shared belief in a common heritage.” Capture Emotions  through Old Hymns: “There is a wealth of spirituality waiting to be used in Bible study. Old hymns are artistic. And they don’t have to feel out of place if the topic is c...

Orthodoxy means the right doctrine or belief. In one essential sense, it is critical to salvation. Although we are saved entirely by the grace of God, not based on the correctness of our thinking, the right views of God promote wonder, reverence, and love. Moreover, for future generations to believe in Christ, we must guard the gospel, without which no one can be saved (2 Tim. 1:14).  Hosea bemoaned the fact that “my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hos. 4:6). Israel’s idolatry had affected its whole national existence. False worship bred sinful practice. God is faithful; allegiance to him requires attention to what is true and right. Ideas have consequences.  Truth is healthy for both body and soul (1 Tim. 6:3). Worship is to be in truth, which is embodied in Jesus Christ (John 4:21–24; cf. John 1:9, 14, 17–18; John 14:6). True biblical orthodoxy leads to orthopraxy (right practice), which should promote healthy living and relationships. Not All Orthodox Doctrine ...

December 25 could not have been Jesus’ birth date. Early Christians did not even celebrate Jesus’ birth. And certainly did not celebrate Christmas on December 25 until long after the pagans had created a December 25 festival. Christmas is the cultural appropriation of the pagan “Birth of the Unconquered Sun.” The Persian cult of Mithras is also celebrated on December 25. The Gospels make no mention of any commemorations of Jesus’ birth. Nothing in the Book of Acts or the rest of the New Testament. And the first generations of Christianity did not celebrate Christ’s birth. In fact, such a thing was frowned upon. The Hebrew tradition from which Christianity came celebrated the passing of Jewish heroes. Not birthdays. Encyclopedia Judaica puts it bluntly. “The celebration of birthdays is unknown in traditional Jewish ritual. … The only reference to a birthday in the bible is that celebrated by Pharaoh.” (Gen 40:20) In fact, early church leader Origen of Alexandria openly mocked birthday c...

As day dawned over England on December 25, 1647, the nation woke to the strangest Christmas of all: no Christmas. For the first time, Christmas had been cancelled. Christmas cancelled? Indeed, Christmas was cancelled. Noël nixed. Advent outlawed. Twelve years later, the Massachusetts Bay Colony followed suit. In place of decorations, they posted the following public notice: The observation of Christmas having been deemed a Sacrilege, the exchanging of Gifts and Greetings, dressing in Fine Clothing, Feasting and similar Satanical Practices are hereby FORBIDDEN, with the Offender liable to a Fine of Five Shillings. Had the spirit of Scrooge settled over England? Had Mount Crumpit moved to Massachusetts? Had the White Witch swept through the West on her way to conquer Narnia? Well, no, not quite. In fact, as we travel through some of the history of Christmas past, we who love the coming of Christ may feel a strange sympathy rising in our hearts for the Puritans who did this. We may not wa...