Reasoning with God: The Forgotten Discipline in Theology truthsum.org
Ryan Welsh
3 years ago in Bible
In an age where we’re told to “trust the experts,” many forget that reasoning isn’t just a philosophical tool—it’s a biblical command. From theology to politics, society is increasingly split between blind trust in authority and the bold question: Does this actually make sense? The Bible not only allows that question—it encourages it. Isaiah 1:18 says, “Come now, and let us reason together.” In Acts…
Will the Dead Live Again? – Richard F. Ames thebiblesaysthat.com
Ryan Welsh
3 years ago in Bible
Are you worried about loved ones who died without knowing Christ? Are they lost forever in torment? The truth is far more hopeful—and far less understood—than most imagine. Many believe in an ever-burning hell because of tradition, not Scripture. Dante’s Inferno, not the Bible, shaped much of today’s imagery of hell. But your Bible says, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23)—not eternal torment….
How Hell Got Hijacked: The Surprising Origins of the Modern View of Eternal Torment truthsum.org
Ryan Welsh
3 years ago in Bible
The hell most people picture—fiery pits, screaming souls, and pitchfork-wielding demons—is more fiction than Scripture. While many assume this vision comes from the Bible, the modern concept of hell is deeply rooted in Greek philosophy, medieval literature, and church tradition, not the teachings of Jesus. Ancient Greek thinkers like Plato promoted the idea of the soul’s inherent immortality—an idea foreign to the Bible, which teaches…
A Journey Through Church History: The Enduring Legacy of the Church of God truthsum.org
Ryan Welsh
3 years ago in Bible
The Church of God traces its spiritual roots to the first-century believers described in the New Testament—not as a denomination, but as a faithful body of believers led by the Holy Spirit. Through the centuries, it has endured persecution, doctrinal compromise, and institutional upheaval, yet it continues as a living remnant devoted to biblical truth. This history is often viewed through the lens of Revelation…
A Mind Fit for Eternity truthsum.org
Ryan Welsh
3 years ago in Bible
God isn’t just saving people—He’s shaping minds for eternity. Scripture shows us that He works through flawed individuals like David, Moses, and Peter—not because they were perfect, but because they were willing to yield. That’s the key: not flawlessness, but a heart open to change. Romans 8:7 says the carnal mind is hostile to God. A rebellious mind resists His way and is incompatible with…
Counting to Pentecost: The Firstfruits of God’s Plan truthsum.org
Ryan Welsh
3 years ago in Bible
Unlike other biblical festivals with fixed calendar dates, Pentecost must be counted. From the day of the Wave Sheaf offering during Unleavened Bread, God instructs, “Count fifty days… then you shall offer a new grain offering to the LORD” (Leviticus 23:16). This is why the Greek name Pentecost—meaning “fiftieth”—endures today. But this counting has caused debate for centuries. Pharisees counted from the first High Day…
Salvation Reframed: From Scorecard to Spiritual Family truthsum.org
Ryan Welsh
3 years ago in Bible
The Christian world is filled with debates about salvation. Is it once saved, always saved? Can it be lost? Do works matter? These questions all assume salvation is a transaction—something to secure or maintain. But what if salvation isn’t about a scorecard at all? Scripture reveals a different perspective. Jesus said no one can come to Him unless the Father draws them (John 6:44). This…
Pentecost and the Promise of the Father – John LaBissoniere ucg.org
Ryan Welsh
3 years ago in Bible
Imagine if Jesus lived next door—healing, comforting, and guiding us instantly. Though He ascended to the Father long ago (John 16:28), He promised something even greater: the arrival of the Holy Spirit. At first, this seemed sorrowful to the disciples (John 16:6), but Jesus assured them it was for their benefit: “If I do not go away, the Helper will not come” (John 16:7). Just…
The Great Deception: How Satan Masquerades as an Angel of Light truthsum.org
Ryan Welsh
3 years ago in Bible
Satan’s strategy has always been to deceive, beginning with Eve in the Garden and continuing throughout history by distorting God’s truth. Today, that deception may not look like paganism or atheism—it may look like Christianity. The Bible warns us that Satan masquerades as an angel of light. His most insidious tactic is not open rebellion but counterfeit worship that mimics the truth while subtly replacing…
Did Jesus Abolish the Seventh-day Sabbath? cbcg.org
Ryan Welsh
3 years ago in Bible
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus affirmed that God’s commandments remain in force under the New Covenant “Therefore, whoever shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of [from] heaven; but whoever shall practice and teach them, this one shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven”(Matt. 5:19). Yet today, the Fourth…
The Mystery of the Trinity: Is God Truly Unknowable? – Part 1 truthsum.org
Ryan Welsh
3 years ago in Bible
Many assume that the God of the Old Testament was the Father, but Scripture tells a different story. John 1:18 says no one has seen the Father at any time, yet countless Old Testament figures saw and spoke with God. Jesus clarified this mystery—He came to reveal the Father, because the One known to Israel throughout their history was actually the Word, who later became…
The Trinity as an Idol: How Misrepresenting God Distances Us from Him – Part 2 truthsum.org
Ryan Welsh
3 years ago in Bible
For centuries, the Trinity has been upheld as an essential truth in mainstream Christianity—despite not being explicitly taught by Jesus or the apostles. Instead, it was developed through centuries of church councils and philosophical influence, especially from Greek metaphysics. Many are told it’s a divine mystery beyond comprehension. But Scripture warns against forming false ideas about God—whether physical or mental (Ezekiel 14:3; Romans 1:21–23). Jesus…
From Scripture to Speculation: The Philosophical Origins of the Trinity – Part 3 truthsum.org
Ryan Welsh
3 years ago in Bible
The doctrine of the Trinity—God as three co-equal, co-eternal persons—is central to mainstream Christianity today. Yet this concept did not emerge directly from the teachings of Jesus or the apostles. Instead, it developed centuries later under the influence of Greek philosophy, particularly Platonism and Neoplatonism. Early theologians like Origen and Augustine integrated these ideas into Christian doctrine, introducing terms like essence and substance that were…
Salvation, Grace, and Choice: Are We Talking About the Same Thing? truthsum.org
Ryan Welsh
3 years ago in Bible
Debates around “once saved, always saved” (OSAS) often reveal deeper differences about what salvation, grace, and faith really mean. Salvation in Scripture is described in past, present, and future tenses. The OSAS view sees it as a one-time, unchangeable legal act. In contrast, others view it as a covenant relationship—freely given, but sustained by abiding in Christ. Jesus said, “He who endures to the end…
The Great Tribulation: 7 Years or 3.5? truthsum.org
Ryan Welsh
3 years ago in Bible
A Common Belief—But Is It Biblical? Many Christians believe the Great Tribulation will last seven years. This idea comes from a specific interpretation of Daniel 9’s 70 Weeks Prophecy, especially the so-called “gap theory,” which separates the 70th week from the first 69 by over 2,000 years. In this view, the final seven years are assigned to a future Antichrist. However, Scripture itself does not…
Is “Once Saved, Always Saved” Biblical? A Deeper Look at Salvation truthsum.org
Ryan Welsh
3 years ago in Bible
“Once saved, always saved” offers comfort—but is it scriptural? Salvation isn’t a one-time transaction; it’s a covenant relationship with God. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Obedience doesn’t earn salvation, but it shows faith. The first Passover paints a picture: Israel was saved by grace, yet obedience mattered. Similarly, believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13–14), not as…
Will Deceive Many (Part One) – Pat Higgins cgg.org
Ryan Welsh
3 years ago in Bible
In Matthew 16:3, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for recognizing weather signs but ignoring the “signs of the times.” Could we be making the same mistake? Our world is in rapid moral decline—corruption touches every institution. Jesus warned of days like these, comparing them to Noah’s time, when “all flesh had corrupted their way” (Genesis 6:12). As in Noah’s day, deception now defines our age. Misinformation,…
A God of Order in a World of Chaos truthsum.org
Ryan Welsh
3 years ago in Bible
We live in a chaotic world—morally, politically, spiritually. Yet from the opening words of the Bible, we’re introduced to a God of clarity and purpose: “In the beginning, God created…” What follows is structure and design. But then comes a puzzle—“The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep.” Why would a perfect God begin with chaos? Scripture…
Relationship With God – Gary McConnaughey lifehopeandtruth.com
Ryan Welsh
3 years ago in Bible
God Wants a Relationship With You The Creator of the universe deeply desires a relationship with you! Even while we were still sinners, He showed His love by sending Jesus to die for us so we could be reconciled to Him (Romans 5:8-10). He invites us to “draw near” to Him, and He promises to draw near to us (James 4:8). But what kind of…
How Should a Man View a Woman? Reclaiming What’s Been Lost truthsum.org
Ryan Welsh
3 years ago in Bible
Something is deeply broken in how men view women today—and it didn’t happen by accident. From a young age, boys are bombarded with sexualized images, while being told their natural desires are toxic. They’re torn between attraction and shame—instinct and guilt—leaving many confused, isolated, and addicted to fantasy. This distortion creates extremes: some grow apathetic, seeing women as objects; others dive deeper into unreality, seeking…