Christianity Without the Cross
Christianity Without the Cross

Author: Thomas A. Fudge

Publisher: Universal-Publishers

Published: 2003

Total Pages: 402

ISBN-13: 1581125844

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Grounded in primary source research, this boldly revisionist book examines the doctrine of salvation in Oneness Pentecostalism (United Pentecostal Church) from its origins through its several developmental stages. The gradual rise of a literal interpretation of Acts 2.38 eliminated a tradition of doctrinal diversity within Oneness thought which regarded salvation as occurring at repentance prior to water and Spirit baptism. With this development a main link to the wider stream of evangelical Christianity was severed. The "water and Spirit" theology resulted in a form of Christianity which does not necessarily require the cross in any meaningful sense for salvation. This study recovers the lost theological tradition associated with important figures such as Howard A. Goss, A.D. Gurley, W.M. Greer, C.H. Tadon, Wynn T. Stairs, Earl Jacques, E.P. Wickens, John Paterson and the Pentecostal Church, Incorporated. Combining traditional historical methodology and theological research with the principles of a broadly based oral history, this study argues for a theological diversity within the history of Oneness Pentecostalism and in so doing bridges an important gap in the history and theology of the United Pentecostal Church.

Oneness Pentecostals and the Trinity
Oneness Pentecostals and the Trinity

Author: Gregory A. Boyd

Publisher: Baker Books

Published: 1992-06-01

Total Pages: 255

ISBN-13: 1441214968

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What's special about Oneness Pentecostals? In this penetrating analysis of Oneness theology and practice, Gregory Boyd reveals the experience of four years of personal involvement in a Oneness church. Although Oneness Pentecostals' belief in Christ's deity establishes some common ground with other Christians, their aggressive denial of the Trinity has nonetheless fostered their indisputably sub-Christian ideas about God's character, about salvation, and about Christian living.

A Taste of Grace
A Taste of Grace

Author: Greg Albrecht

Publisher: Plain Truth Ministries

Published: 2012-07-01

Total Pages: 159

ISBN-13: 9781889973111

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A Taste of Grace is an easy-to-read page-turning exploration of God's amazing grace, demonstrated and illustrated by the teachings of Jesus. A Taste of Grace proclaims God's grace as irreconcilably opposed to the core values and beliefs of institutionalized religion and reveals God's grace to be an absurd and foolish sentiment that doesn't add up to the human mind.

Christianity Without Insanity
Christianity Without Insanity

Author: Boyd C. Purcell, Ph.D.

Publisher: Createspace Independent Pub

Published: 2012-09-01

Total Pages: 222

ISBN-13: 9781478322382

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Christianity Without Insanity: For Optimal Mental/Emotional/Physical Health, by Boyd C. Purcell, Ph.D., is about love-based vs. fear-based Christianity [includes a chapter on other major religions]. This book, per the subtitle, is based on the truth of holistic health inherent in psychopathology which Dr. Purcell has taught at a university graduate college. Dr. Lewis Whaley, an oncologist, endorsed this author's previous book, Spiritual Terrorism, with this statement. "As a physician, I can validate Dr. Purcell's understanding of psychopathology. The anxiety which religion, or any other factor, generates has the potential to depress the human immune system, affect every organ, and impair bodily functions." The apostle John captured the essence of the dynamics of psychopathology in these comforting, encouraging, and inspiring words: "Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers" (III John 2). No person's soul can prosper and, therefore, no one can be in optimal holistic health if one is living in fear of eternal torture in hell for oneself and/or loved ones. Do you know the symbolic meaning of the mixed metaphor, "salted with fire," of which few people have even heard? If not, you owe it to yourself to read this solidly Biblically-based book. One can believe in Christian Universalism (CU), not in spite of what The Holy Bible teaches, but because of exactly what The Holy Bible teaches about sin, salvation, and hell. Based on Biblical and historical facts, Jesus clearly taught CU—both implicitly and explicitly—just as surely as the grass is green, the sky is blue, God is in heaven, and Christ is Lord!

Pure Christianity
Pure Christianity

Author: Sung-In Park

Publisher: Archway Publishing

Published: 2019-04-12

Total Pages: 358

ISBN-13: 1480875988

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Christianity has a history that extends back over two thousand years, and it has endured through many changes in the world. Yet today the contemporary Christian church is facing new problems. How can the church continue to endure in the face of today's unique pluralistic and postmodern challenges? Pure Christianity clearly analyzes distortions that occurred in the primitive early stages of Christianity, and it restores the true identity of the Christian religion for future generations. Author Sung-In Park deconstructs the distorted beliefs of Christianity, going on to reconstruct Christianity based on the life of Jesus; he also redefines the meaning of sin, the gospel, faith, salvation, and the end, based upon a historical Judeo-Christian context. Believers will learn how Christianity was rapidly universalized in the first century, and how this universalized church would affect the future of Christianity. The Christian church you know today is the universalized one--not the church Jesus Christ envisioned. Yet by understanding the true plan of God for the world in Jesus Christ, you can be prepared to evangelize this world, without threatening, in accordance with the divine will of God.

The Cross of Christ
The Cross of Christ

Author: John Stott

Publisher: InterVarsity Press

Published: 2021-04-27

Total Pages: 389

ISBN-13: 0830839119

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Why should the cross—an object of Roman distaste and Jewish disgust—be the emblem of our worship and the axiom of our faith? And what does it mean for us today? In the centennial edition of this study of Scripture, theology, and contemporary issues, John Stott brings you face to face with the centrality of the cross in God's plan of redemption.

Soul Cravings
Soul Cravings

Author: Erwin Raphael McManus

Publisher: HarperChristian + ORM

Published: 2008-11-09

Total Pages: 269

ISBN-13: 1418570478

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The search of your life is the search for your life. What you are holding right now is an exploration of the human spirit; a journey into our deepest longings, our desires, our needs, our cravings, our souls. Our need for intimacy, meaning, and destiny point to the existence of God and our need to connect with Him. This book will deeply stir you to consider and chase after the spiritual implications of your souls' deepest longings.

Living in the Shadow of the Cross
Living in the Shadow of the Cross

Author: Paul Kivel

Publisher: New Society Publishers

Published: 2013-10-01

Total Pages: 221

ISBN-13: 1550925415

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How our dominant Christian worldview shapes everything from personal behavior to public policy (and what to do about it) Over the centuries, Christianity has accomplished much which is deserving of praise. Its institutions have fed the hungry, sheltered the homeless, and advocated for the poor. Christian faith has sustained people through crisis and inspired many to work for social justice. Yet although the word "Christian" connotes the epitome of goodness, the actual story is much more complex. Over the last two millennia, ruling elites have used Christian institutions and values to control those less privileged throughout the world. The doctrine of Christianity has been interpreted to justify the killing of millions, and its leaders have used their faith to sanction participation in colonialism, slavery, and genocide. In the Western world, Christian influence has inspired legislators to continue to limit women's reproductive rights and has kept lesbians and gays on the margins of society. As our triple crises of war, financial meltdown, and environmental destruction intensify, it is imperative that we dig beneath the surface of Christianity's benign reputation to examine its contribution to our social problems. Living in the Shadow of the Cross reveals the ongoing, everyday impact of Christian power and privilege on our beliefs, behaviors, and public policy, and emphasizes the potential for people to come together to resist domination and build and sustain communities of justice and peace. Paul Kivel is the award-winning author of Uprooting Racism and the director of the Christian Hegemony Project. He is a social justice activist and educator who has focused on the issues of violence prevention, oppression, and social justice for over forty-five years.