WELCOME TO THEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES

   WHY THIS WEBSITE?

The purpose of this website is to provide insights into a variety of theological issues and stimulate further investigation of the perspectives offered. The material presented will be systematic, straightforward and evidence based.

THE RETURN OF CHRIST:

A major issue addressed on this website is the timing of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.  I examine the scriptural and historical dynamics associated with this issue and answer the question: Is the the Second Coming of Jesus Christ a future event or a past reality?  Don't assume you know the answer to this question. The answer is guaranteed to surprise and challenge you.

  In June of 2004, I published my research on the timing of the second coming of Jesus Christ in a book entitled: When Will Christ Return?  This book can be obtained by contacting the author at theoperspectives@aol.com

DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY:

Another major issue addressed on this website is the Doctrine of the Trinity.  This doctrine teaches there is one God who is a plurality of coeternal, coequal and consubstantial (of single substance) persons of Father, Son and Spirit.  I examine the historical and scriptural dynamics of this doctrine and provide a straightforward, evidence based identification of the nature of the Father, Son and Spirit.

In December of 2012, I published my research on the issue of the Trinity in a book entitled: The God Of Jesus  This book is available through Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/God-Jesus-Comprehensive-Examination-Nature/dp/1449772854/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360344826&sr=1-10&keywords=David+Kroll and Barnes and Noble at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-god-of-jesus-david-a-kroll/1114021479?ean=9781449772857.  This book is available as a soft cover or as an E-Book.

OTHER TOPICS OF INTEREST:

In addition to issues related to the return of Christ and the Doctrine of the Trinity, I deal with a variety of other matters that are of historical or current interest within the Christian community.

LINKS TO OTHER WEBSITES:

In the left column, under "EXTERNAL LINKS," are direct links to other websites that have articles that may be of interest to readers of this website.  Such articles do not necessarily reflect this authors position on the material presented.

THE FOLLOWING ESSAYS ARE PRESENTLY AVAILABLE ON THIS WEBSITE:

Hebrews: A Study In Covenantal Transition

This essay will review the entire book of Hebrews and discuss the dynamics that led to the transition from the Old Covenant system to the New Covenant System.  It will be demonstrated that this transition took place during the forty years following the ascension of Jesus Christ in the first century and involved the return of Christ in judgement upon Israel.

What Is The Kingdom Of God?

This essay will demonstrate that the Kingdom Of God is a spiritual Kingdom and a present reality for those who express faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and pursue righteous living as citizens of the Kingdom.

When Does Christ Return?

The timing of the return of Jesus Christ, and all related events, is a major focus of this website.  Most Christians view the return of Christ as a future event in association with resurrection, judgement and establishment of the Kingdom of God.  This series of essays will  examine  this  concept  from a  scriptural and historical perspective and provide a straightforward, well reasoned investigation of the dynamics involved.

This discussion appears in a series of fourteen essays. It is highly recommended that the reader read these essays in chronological order as one essay builds upon the material presented in the previous essay.  I invite the reader to return often to read and study the material presented.

 Commentary On The Revelation

The Revelation is the most controversial document in the New Testament. Many attempts have been made to decipher its many symbols and metaphors. The timing of its fulfillment has been enigmatic for centuries.  In this seven part series of essays, we will look at the Revelation through the eyes of two interpretive approaches and let you decide which approach is most viable. 

Commentary On "The Purpose Driven Life"

The book, "The Purpose Driven Life," by author Rick Warren, has sold millions of copies world wide and has received rave reviews from much of the Christian community. This book provides many excellent insights but also presents a number of problematical statements which this commentary will deal with.

 The Grace/Works Controversy

Are we saved by grace and grace alone?  Is salvation unconditional? Are works required for salvation?  What role does faith play in the salvation process?  Christian leaders have labored over these questions for centuries.  In this essay we will respond to these questions by carefully examining the issues involved.

What Is and What Ain't   

New Covenant versus Old Covenant law
(What Is The law Of The New Covenant?)

The keeping of law and its relationship to salvation and pleasing God has been a contentious topic in Christianity from the beginning. It was a major concern in the first century Church as seen in the letters of Paul and the book of Acts.  It has continued to be an issue in the Church over the past 2000 years often dividing fellowships, families and friends. In this essay we will look at the dynamics of this issue and determine what is and what ain’t.

The Laws of Clean and Unclean

Under the Old Covenant, adherence to dozens of laws pertaining to being clean or not clean defined ones relationship with God.  Included in this group of regulations were laws prohibiting the eating of a variety of created organisms.  Some believe these dietary laws are still in force today.  This essay examines the dynamics of this issue and draws conclusions based on the evidence provided in the scriptures.

What Is Holiness?

Holiness is a theme that runs throughout the scriptures.  God is seen as holy.  Humans are seen as holy.  Things, places, days and events are seen as holy.  The words holy and holiness appear hundreds of times in scripture. In this essay we will examine what holiness is and determine how we are holy before God.

Which Day Is The Christian Sabbath?

The fourth Commandment says, "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy."  God placed the Sabbath on the seventh day of the week.  Why do most Christians worship on the first day of the Week?  This essay will explore this issue in depth.

The Nature Of The Holy Spirit

Recognition of the Holy Spirit is foundational to the theological belief system of Christianity. In this essay we will examine the dynamic nature of the Holy Spirit and discuss its role in the life of a Christian.

Evidence For The Resurrection Of Jesus

The resurrection of Jesus is the bedrock of the Christian theological system.  Forgiveness of sin and promise of eternal life depend on the resurrection of Jesus having taken place. If the resurrection did not occur, Christian theology has no foundation.  What evidence is there that the resurrection of Jesus actually occurred as reported in the New Testament?  In this essay we will examine the dynamics of this issue and show why the resurrection of Jesus is a believable event.

Homosexuality In Christianity

Homosexuality has become a contentious topic in the Christian community.  It has created much controversy and soul searching. This essay will provide a straightforward examination of the dynamics pertaining to this issue.

The Christmas Controversy

Is Christmas an accommodation to paganism?  Are there valid reasons for avoiding this celebration?  In this essay, we will evaluate the various objections to celebrating Christmas and determine whether these objections are legitimate.

The Star Of Bethlehem

The star of Bethlehem, as it has come to be known, is second to the cross as the most prominent symbol within Christianity.  What was it that led the Magi to Bethlehem? Has the star been identified? In this essay we examine the evidence for what the star may have been.
 
Evolution presents a direct challenge to the Christian theological system.  Evolution is taught as fact in much of our educational system.  Christians are often torn between the claims of evolutionary teaching and the teaching of Biblical Scripture as to the origin of the universe and life.  In this series of essays, we will explore the dynamics of this issue and examine the evidence advanced by advocates of both evolution and creation.

What Happens After Death?

What happens after physical death is a concern of most humans.  In this series of essays, we will examine the doctrine of the immortality of the soul and the various concepts of hell.  We will discuss what it means to be resurrected from the dead and how this defines our eternal destiny. We will address the critical and difficult issue of what happens to the “unsaved” dead. 

Are the Biblical Scriptures Reliable? 

In recent years, theologians and Church historians have raised questions as to the reliability of the Biblical Scriptures.  Questions have been raised as to their authenticity and Divine connection.  In this series of essays, we will examine the issues of Scriptural authorship, inerrancy, inspiration and canonization.

The God Of  Jesus

Is God a Trinitarian union of Father, Son and Spirit?  Is this concept of God upheld by the Scriptures?  In this multi-part series of essays, we will examine in depth the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity and determine if there is evidence beyond reasonable doubt this doctrine is valid or is God to be identified in some other way.

Predestination And Freewill

The issue of predestination versus freewill has been a controversial and sometimes contentious issue in Christianity for centuries. This controversy is highlighted by the differences in teaching between two sixteenth century Christian leaders, John Calvin and Jacobus Arminius. In this eight part series of essays we will begin by discussing Calvinism versus Arminianism and proceed to take a comprehensive look at all the dynamics related to predestination and freewill

Passover and the Crucifixion

The synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark Luke) record Jesus was on the cross at the 6th hour.  John records Jesus was appearing before Pilate at the 6th hour.  The synoptics report Jesus and His disciples kept the Passover at the beginning of the 14th, the evening before He was crucified. John indicates the Passover was kept at the end of the 14th after Jesus had died during the afternoon of the 14th.  In this essay we examine these apparent discrepancies and identify how they can be resolved. 

Passover and the Exodus

The Israelites were instructed to eat the Passover in haste with their coats tucked into their belts, shoes on their feet and staff in their hands.  The indication is they were on the verge of leaving Egypt  Yet there is indication they didn't leave Egypt until 24 hours later.  In this essay we will explore this issue and determine when it was the Israelites killed the Passover lambs, ate the Passover and when it was they left Egypt.

Three Days and Three Nights

Most of the Christian world believes Jesus died on a Friday afternoon and was resurrected the following Sunday morning.  This perspective appears problematical because Jesus said He would be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.  In this essay we will discuss the various dynamics of this issue.

Did John Write The Fourth Gospel?

It is believed by most Christians that the fourth Gospel was written by Apostle John.  Interestingly, this Gospel does not identify its author as John.  It identifies its author as the “disciple whom Jesus loved.” Is Apostle John the "disciple whom Jesus loved," and, therefore, the disciple who authored the fourth Gospel?  In this essay we will explore this issue in depth. 

 

 

 

 

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