Total Depravity

Isaiah doesn’t single anyone out; he says, “we all.” Humanity, as one flock, has wandered from its true Shepherd. It’s not that some have strayed and others haven’t; the verse tells us every heart has turned aside. Our rebellion might look different and doesn’t just describe moral wandering or rule-breaking, but it’s relational. We have …

Does God Approve of Slavery in the Bible?

For many readers, biblical references to slavery are a stumbling block because they assume that God endorses slavery in Scripture. But if God rescued Israel from bondage in Egypt (Exodus 1 to 15), can the Bible really be read as approving oppression? The better answer is no. Scripture regulates an already existing ancient institution rather …

 Searching for Truth: Justin Martyr’s Journey to Christ

In the second century, Christianity was still a suspicious and often misunderstood movement in the Roman Empire, and believers could be mocked as foolish, immoral, or even dangerous. In that world came Justin Martyr, a recent convert with training in philosophy who refused to treat faith and reason as enemies. Instead of hiding Christianity from …