Anabaptist Apologist

Put up Again Thy Sword It's unfortunate that so many believers are under the impression that we have a God-given right to retaliate when attacked or provoked. But Jesus, in no uncertain terms, has effectively disarmed his followers when he was arrested. What did Jesus say when Peter was quick to defend him with force? "Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.[1] Truth #1 Jesus said this because prophecy had to be fulfilled; without the death, burial, and resurrection, our faith is in vain.[2]  Truth #2 Jesus' followers are to suffer and "resist not."[3] In Luke 22:38, it's written his followers came to him, And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough. Evangelicals cite this verse to prove they have a "God-given right" to own any firearm and use it against a threat. But, the Lord they supposedly worship and follow didn't use that "right...

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 The Trinity in the 4th Century-Part 4 by David Burke Upon Constantine’s death in AD 337, the empire was divided among his three sons: Constantine II,[1] Constantius II,[2] and Constans.[3] Each convened local councils to uphold localised versions of orthodoxy. Arianism became increasingly refined during this period[4] and benefited from the deaths of the two Nicene emperors.[5] Having outlived his brothers, Constantius II established Arianism as official Christology throughout the empire[6] but was killed en-route to fight his half-uncle Julian the Apostate, in AD 361. Reigning for only two years, Julian was a pagan who tried to restore paganism as the state religion of Rome. During this period three Cappadocians emerged as champions of the Athanasian legacy: Gregory Nazianzen,[7] Gregory of Nyssa, and his brother, Basil of Caesarea.[8] Today they are known as the Cappadocian Fathers. Following almost two decades of political unrest, Theodosius I came to power as c...