Expanded Version
Introduction: The Image of God and Cultures
Some time ago, we published here on our web-site and in hard copy for our church, a small brochure outlining our understanding of the relationship between race, religion and culture. At the time, we wanted to make it clear that racism has no place in our church; …

A Discussion of Non-Ratio-centric Approaches to Christian Faith
Brian M. Abshire
Table of Contents

Iron Sharpening Iron:
Introduction:
Doctrine and Salvation.
Doctrinal Divisions and Secularization.
Worship in Spirit and Truth
Just what is Doctrine?
The Psychology of Learning and Non-Ratio-centric Thinking.
Various Ways of “Knowing” – Human Brain Research.
Implications for Doing Theology.
Implications for Fellowship with Non-Reformed Christians.
Implications for Personal Devotion.
Implications for Preaching.
Implications for Evangelism.
Implications for …

Of Ghosties and Ghoulies and Things that Go Bump in the Night
As far back as anthropologists can track human legends, the belief in ghosts and spirits is already present. From a humanist, materialist perspective, “animism” (the idea that rocks, streams, trees, etc. are inhabited by invisible “spiritual” entities) is asserted to be the first religion. …

Chapter One: The Nature of the Occult
 
The word “occult” means “hidden, concealed or secret” and refers to of such things as astrology, sorcery, magic, alchemy, etc that purports to give the practitioner esoteric knowledge; and with that knowledge, supernatural “powers.” Deuteronomy 18:9ff lays out God’s view of ALL occult activity, “When you enter the land …

Note: The below was written originally (I believe) for a job application for a teaching position at a univeristy. One of the requirements was for a brief essay on how the potential instructor understood the pursuit of “truth.” Since this was a secular institution, I had to find a way to convey my Christian …

On Theological Controversies and Confusion
Every so often, I receive emails, phone calls or letters asking for my take on the latest theological controversy running through the Christian community. While most enquiries are from sincere laymen concerned about some new “idea” threatening to tear their church apart; sometimes these requests are not-so-subtle attempts to obtain ammunition …

The Bible on Race and Culture
The Bible and Race
All men are descended from Adam and Noah, giving them common ancestors which makes all humans related to one another, in some manner (Gen 1:28, 10:1ff).
God divided men at Babel into various linguistic/cultural groups (Gen 11:1, 8-9).
The promise of the Gospel given to Abraham was that ALL …

High Ground Electronic Newsletter
Copyright © January 2008
Highlands Reformed Church and The Institute for Christian Culture