Theology Corner

Addressing commonly asked questions about Christianity from the perspective of a non-theologian

Theology Corner

1.)  CAN GOD'S WILL BE THWARTED?

2.)  DID GOD ELECT ONLY A FEW FOR SALVATION WHILE CONDEMNING THE GREATER PART OF MANKIND TO HELL?

3.)  FAITH OR SALVATION: WHICH COMES FIRST?

4.)  DID GOD THE FATHER BEGET JESUS CHRIST?

5.)  WHAT ARE THE TWO NATURES OF CHRIST?

6.)  WHAT IS ANTINOMIANISM?

7.)  WHAT IS SABELLIANISM?

8.)  WHAT IS PELAGIANISM?

9.)  DOES LOVE REALLY WIN?

10.)  IS YOUR WILL REALLY YOUR WILL?

11.)  CAN TWO THEOLOGIES BE TESTED FOR COMPATIBILITY?

12.)  WHAT IS THE FRAUD OF FIDEISM?

13.)  IS CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY COMPATIBLE WITH JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES THEOLOGY?

14.)  IS CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY COMPATIBLE WITH CHRISTIAN SCIENCE THEOLOGY?

15.)  IS CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY COMPATIBLE WITH MORMON THEOLOGY?

16.)  IS CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY COMPATIBLE WITH UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS THEOLOGY?

17.)  IS CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY COMPATIBLE WITH SCIENTOLOGY THEOLOGY?

18.)  IS CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY COMPATIBLE WITH UNIFICATION CHURCH THEOLOGY?

19.)  IS CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY COMPATIBLE WITH THE WAY INTERNATIONAL THEOLOGY?

20.)  IS CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY COMPATIBLE WITH THE WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD THEOLOGY?

21.)  IS REPENTANCE REALLY NECESSARY?

22.)  WHAT ARE SOME MUSINGS OF A METHODIST THEOLOGIAN ON LIMITED ATONEMENT?

23.)  WHAT ARE SOME QUESTIONS FOR THOSE WHO TEACH A LIMITED ATONEMENT PROVIDED ONLY FOR THE ELECT OF GOD?

24.)  WHAT WERE CALVIN'S ACTUAL WORDS?

25.)  WHAT IS GNOSTICISM?

26.)  WHAT IS THE UNPARDONABLE SIN?

27.)  IS CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY COMPATIBLE WITH PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY?

1.)  IS CHRISTIANITY COMPATIBLE WITH POSITIVE TOLERANCE?

2.)  CAN WE HAVE A FORM OF GODLINESS, BUT DENY THE POWER THEREOF?

3.)  WHAT IS THE GREAT WAR?

4.)  SHOULD PRESIDENT TRUMP HAVE BEEN IMPEACHED FOR IMMORALITY?

5.)  WHO SAID MOSES WAS HUMBLE?

6.)  COULD CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE BENEFIT FROM WOKE REVISION?

7.)  DID EINSTEIN BELIEVE ALL CHRISTIANS WERE CALVINISTS?

8.)  WHY IS MARXISM A MAGNET?

9.)  WHAT IS TRUE SCIENCE?

10.)  CAN YOU LOSE YOUR SALVATION?

11.)  WHAT ARE THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS?

12.)  WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS?

13.)  WAS PAUL ENTIRELY SANCTIFIED?

14.)  ARE YOU LIVING IN A WORLD AT WAR?

15.)  WHAT IS THE DIRECT METHOD FOR PROVING A CONDITIONAL PROPOSITION IS TRUE?

16.)  WHAT IS THE CONTRAPOSITIVE METHOD FOR PROVING A CONDITIONAL PROPOSITION IS TRUE?

17.)  WHAT IS THE CONTRADICTION METHOD FOR PROVING A CONDITIONAL PROPOSITION IS TRUE?

18.)  WHAT MIGHT A METHODIST THEOLOGIAN SAY ABOUT PURGATORY?

19.)  WHICH BIBLE PASSAGES ELUCIDATE CORE ASPECTS OF CHRISTIANITY?

20.)  DO SELECTED NIV VERSES ELUCIDATE CORE ASPECTS OF CHRISTIANITY?

21.)  DO SELECTED AKJV VERSES ELUCIDATE CORE ASPECTS OF CHRISTIANITY?

22.)  DO SELECTED YLT VERSES ELUCIDATE CORE ASPECTS OF CHRISTIANITY?

23.)  DO SELECTED 'VOICE' VERSES ELUCIDATE CORE ASPECTS OF CHRISTIANITY?

24.)  COULD THE CONCEPT OF 'SALVATION ONLY FOR THE ELECT' HAVE BEEN ROOTED IN THE MIND OF AUGUSTINE BEFORE HE EMBRACED CHRISTIANITY?

25.)  DID AUGUSTINE RECEIVE PUSHBACK FOR HIS TEACHING OF 'SALVATION ONLY FOR THE ELECT' DURING HIS LIFETIME?

SHOULD THE HEALING ACTIVITY BE ADMINISTERED TO A PROXY?

Some believe the healing activity should never be administered to a proxy on behalf of the person who needs healing. But careful examination, of the 26 well documented healings performed by Jesus Christ, reveals that at least three healings were requested by proxies acting on behalf of the persons needing to be healed [Nobleman’s Son, John 4:46-54; Centurion’s Servant, Mat 8:5-13; Canaanite Woman’s Daughter, Mat 15:21-28]. Jesus not only honored the request of each proxy but, concerning the centurion and the Canaanite woman, Jesus commended their “great faith.” In addition to “great faith,” the Canaanite woman demonstrated incredible persistence in the face of withering admonitions from Jesus. Similarly, in addition to “great faith,” the centurion demonstrated great humility. Jesus also honored the faith and persistence of the nobleman. Jesus made note of the unshakeable faith, resolute desire for healing and overall character of each proxy. Jesus showed no interest in the faith, desire for healing and character of the three persons who actually needed healing. Jesus healed, by the power of the Holy Spirit, based on His assessment of the proxies and not on His assessment of those represented by the proxies.

Perhaps in the Christian Church today, a proxy might also play a central role in healing. The minister of healing would say: As you (proxy) are outwardly anointed with this oil, may your loved one be inwardly anointed by the peace, mercy and grace, by the love and healing power of the Holy Spirit… As I lay my hands upon you, may the healing hands of God the Father embrace every fiber of your loved ones being…. Multitudes of sick, injured and disabled will never come to a church for healing. A proxy may be the only way they will ever receive the power of a healing activity.

The various proxies, in New Testament times, were not merely sterile conduits connecting Jesus to the sick; but rather each proxy played a central role in healing. Neither the son, the servant nor the daughter would have been healed without the intervention of proxies who met the standards of Jesus. Since we understand the role of a proxy in the healing ministry of Jesus, how can we, in this age, condemn that role as unscriptural?

If you, or someone you care about, needs to receive the healing activity

  • Anointing with oil (James 5:14; Mark 6:13)
  • Laying on of hands (Mark 16:18; Acts 28:8)
  • Prayer (James 5:14; Acts 28:8)

and no one who believes in divine healing is available to conduct this activity, email to me (bottom of Home Page) a first name and the nature of the affliction.  I will conduct the healing activity using a proxy on behalf of you or your friend.

(See also Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of Theology Corner)