Theology in Sneakers http://www.theologyinsneakers.com Evidence for things unseen. Thu, 17 May 2012 12:55:25 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= Copyright. Theology in Sneakers. All Rights Reserved.Theology,Apologetics,Christian,Christianity,Jesus,Bible,God,Christian,apologeticsReligion & Spirituality/Christianitysumair@theologyinsneakers.comSumair MirzaSumair MirzanoTheology,Apologetics,Christian,Christianity,Jesus,Bible,God,Christian,apologeticsEvidence for things unseen.Theology in Sneakers (TiS) strives to provide answers founded in accurate biblical interpretation, thorough research, and logic-based thought. TiS was created for those who follow Christ and those who may be curious about how/why they can trust the Christian faith.TheologyInSneakershttp://feedburner.google.com Dare to be Different: Is God Your Everything? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheologyInSneakers/~3/om1sCqTf8w8/3742 http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/3742#comments Thu, 17 May 2012 02:51:09 +0000 sumair@theologyinsneakers.com (Sumair Mirza) http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/?p=3742
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]]> http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/3742/feed 0 http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/3742 Put this in your pipe and smoke it! Dopey argumentation and sad consequences. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheologyInSneakers/~3/8ECaGjt9fl0/3655 http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/3655#comments Sat, 03 Mar 2012 20:57:21 +0000 sumair@theologyinsneakers.com (Sumair Mirza) http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/?p=3655
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]]> http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/3655/feed 2 no Post Features: Does this image bother you? It should because it is true. It is an iconic representation of reality as people hijack logic, reason, scripture, and Jesus himself to be mere agents of “weed propaganda” - Be offended, stand up, and love otherSumair Mirza Post Features: Does this image bother you? It should because it is true. It is an iconic representation of reality as people hijack logic, reason, scripture, and Jesus himself to be mere agents of “weed propaganda” - Be offended, stand up, and love others with the truth! Smoking weed is good for you! It’s natural God made it, so nothing is wrong with it! Smoking tobacco is more harmful than weed so what is the big deal? The bible doesn’t say anything about how you can’t smoke weed! The bible says that you can smoke weed and Jesus did it! These are the “logic” clamoring’s of the weed activist. Unfortunately, and perhaps more significantly and saddening is the fact that these statements are the hallmark of the self-fulfilling rationale weed users/advocates use as justification today - discarding the true Justifier (Romans 3:26). I have met several people who I care for with all my heart that struggle with this idolatry (Exodus 20:3). That’s right, it isn’t just an addiction but it is an idol! To partake in a “recreational activity” and expend copious amounts of effort to fight for, defend, and strain to put together loose logic and inaccurate reasoning is quite sad. One must question the origin of such misplaced zeal and realize that this zeal serves as an outward sign of the enslavement and mastery marijuana has on many of its users. I have seen people change. I have seen personalities morph, split and oscillate between kind, gentle and true to agitated, frustrated, angry, and zealous for a … Copyright 2010. Theology in Sneakers. All Rights Reserved. No related posts.Theology,Apologetics,Christian,Christianity,Jesus,Bible,God,Christian,apologeticshttp://www.theologyinsneakers.com/3655http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Put-this-in-your-pipe-and-smoke-it.mp3 What can we learn about worship through the book of Revelation? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheologyInSneakers/~3/xq5mJ88pBVg/2369 http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/2369#comments Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:30:34 +0000 sumair@theologyinsneakers.com (Sumair Mirza) http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/?p=2369
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]]> http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/2369/feed 1 noPost Features: Question: What can we learn about worship through the book of Revelation? Answer: Before I begin I must humbly submit that I find this book to be most difficult to grasp. I will quote John Calvin who himself did not choose to write a commenSumair MirzaPost Features: Question: What can we learn about worship through the book of Revelation? Answer: Before I begin I must humbly submit that I find this book to be most difficult to grasp. I will quote John Calvin who himself did not choose to write a commentary on this book for fear of err. In his commentary on Galatians, Calvin said the following about the interpretation of Scripture: “Let us know then, that the true meaning of Scripture is the natural and obvious meaning, and let us embrace and abide by it resolutely.” He even goes so far as to say “Let us not only neglect as doubtful, but boldly set aside as deadly corruptions, those pretended expositions, which lead us away from the natural meaning.” I present this merely in humble agreement as to my abilities to understand Revelation in its entirety. That being said we can begin by simply looking at the examples of worship we see through John’s (son of Zebedee (Matthew 10:2)) apocalyptic accounts. Interestingly, if we err and think we may more clearly understand these visions if we witnessed them first hand (as John had) this may not be the case as John’s purpose was indeed to write down what he experienced in order to share it with others (Revelation 1:11) so we should be able to take this account and glean what God had intended for us. What we see through Revelation (perhaps not coincidentally a vision that occurs on the Lord’s Day) is … Copyright 2010. Theology in Sneakers. All Rights Reserved. Related posts: Why is there so little emphasis placed upon encouraging Christians to learn about other religions? Theology,Apologetics,Christian,Christianity,Jesus,Bible,God,Christian,apologeticshttp://www.theologyinsneakers.com/2369http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Revelation_Worship.mp3 What is your understanding concerning the Triune God? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheologyInSneakers/~3/12KCVxl8LTo/2411 http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/2411#comments Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:22:05 +0000 sumair@theologyinsneakers.com (Sumair Mirza) http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/?p=2411
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]]> http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/2411/feed 0 noPost Features: Question: What is your understanding concerning the Triune God? Answer: The concept of the Trinity is one that can’t be answered in a few short paragraphs but I will provide a brief initial response and at a later date post more on my web sSumair MirzaPost Features: Question: What is your understanding concerning the Triune God? Answer: The concept of the Trinity is one that can’t be answered in a few short paragraphs but I will provide a brief initial response and at a later date post more on my web site on this important and oft misunderstood and underappreciated doctrine. Firstly, we must define the term Trinity as it comes from the Latin “Trinitas” which means three in one. The word Trinity was first found in a reference text in the writings of Theopolius of Antioch in AD 180. We see expansion of usage of this term by Tertullian in AD 200 when he accurately refers to “tres personae, una substantia” (three persons, one nature/substance). The value in understanding the textual usage in history is because some have incorrectly claimed the Trinity is a recent invention of Christians. Additionally, as we look to the Trinity it is important to understand the Trinity as one and not three. Often the term Trinity is mistaken for tritheism where one mistakes it for stating there are three Gods (as the Muslims mistakenly understand Christianity). Another common mistake is that of understanding God playing 3 roles which is referred to as Modalism (or oneness theology) – God does not change roles (Malachi 3:6). Muslims often vacillate between tritheism and modalism or even Arianism. Arianism is an ancient theological error that appeared around the year 320.  It taught that God could not appear on the earth because he was too pure, … Copyright 2010. Theology in Sneakers. All Rights Reserved. No related posts.Theology,Apologetics,Christian,Christianity,Jesus,Bible,God,Christian,apologeticshttp://www.theologyinsneakers.com/2411http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Trinity.mp3 Your God is too small! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheologyInSneakers/~3/IBK8mskI8DE/3573 http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/3573#comments Wed, 30 Nov 2011 06:29:44 +0000 sumair@theologyinsneakers.com (Sumair Mirza) http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/?p=3573
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]]> http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/3573/feed 0 noPost Features: Key verse(s)/quote(s): “Do you know why it is so crucial for us to recover such a respectful understanding? Because a shallow view of God leads to a shallow life. Cheapen God and you cheapen life itself. Treat God superficially, and you becSumair MirzaPost Features: Key verse(s)/quote(s): “Do you know why it is so crucial for us to recover such a respectful understanding? Because a shallow view of God leads to a shallow life. Cheapen God and you cheapen life itself. Treat God superficially, and you become superficial. But hold God in profoundest respect, and it is remarkable how deep the roots of your spiritual life grow.” - Charles R. Swindoll “Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty” - Job 11:7 “Again, our eyes frequently cannot look upon the nature of the light itself—that is, upon the substance of the sun; but when we behold his splendor or his rays pouring in, perhaps, through windows or some small openings to admit the light, we can reflect how great is the supply and source of the light of the body. So in like manner, the works of Divine Providence and the plan of this whole world are a sort of rays, as it were, of the nature of God, in comparison with His real substance and being. As, therefore, our understanding is unable of itself to behold God Himself as He is, it knows the Father of the world from the beauty of His works and the comeliness of His creatures.” - Origen Key takeaway(s): Understanding God’s awesomeness is critical to how we live our Christian life Not understanding the “bigness” of God results in idolatry If we do not have a “big” … Copyright 2010. Theology in Sneakers. All Rights Reserved. No related posts.Theology,Apologetics,Christian,Christianity,Jesus,Bible,God,Christian,apologeticshttp://www.theologyinsneakers.com/3573http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Your-God-is-too-small.mp3 Give five reasons to support your view of the divine inspiration of Scripture. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheologyInSneakers/~3/XGcC1S_znm4/2379 http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/2379#comments Sat, 19 Nov 2011 14:03:52 +0000 sumair@theologyinsneakers.com (Sumair Mirza) http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/?p=2379
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]]> http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/2379/feed 0 noPost Features: Question: Give five reasons to support your view of the divine inspiration of Scripture. Answer: I am uncompromising in my stance of the Bible, as originally inspired, being the inerrant Word of God. I can base this statement on many facts Sumair MirzaPost Features: Question: Give five reasons to support your view of the divine inspiration of Scripture. Answer: I am uncompromising in my stance of the Bible, as originally inspired, being the inerrant Word of God. I can base this statement on many facts (for a much more detailed study on this topic please see my post entitled “Validity of the Bible”) but in summary we can rest assured it is divinely inspired because of the following: 1.    Jesus Himself spoke of the Scriptures’: Authority – Matthew 22:43, Reliability – Matthew 26:54, Finality – Matthew 4:4, 7, 10, Sufficiency – Luke 16:31, Indestructibility – Matthew 5:17-18, Unity – Luke 24:27, 44, Clarity – Luke 24:27, Historicity – Matthew 12:40, Facticity (scientifically) – Matthew 19:2-5, Inerrancy – Matthew 22:29; John 3:12, 17:17, Infallibility – John 10:35 2.    Third-party verification – a plethora of external sources and facts outside the Bible corroborate what is found in the Bible. 3.    Historical reliability – The Bible’s message is a sharp contrast to the pagan fertility religions and philosophies of the ancient world as revealed through history. It isn’t shy about mentioning dates and places that have never been proven false (or if they seemingly had later evidence has uncovered these claims to be false themselves thus proving the Bible true). Additionally, the multitude of manuscripts and breadth of textual criticism has brought us much closer over time to understanding the truly amazing accuracy of the Scriptures. 4.    Fulfilled prophecy – Events demonstrate that … Copyright 2010. Theology in Sneakers. All Rights Reserved. Related posts: Validity of the Bible How did the Bible come together and how much trust can we put in it? Different analogies used in Scripture to describe the church. Theology,Apologetics,Christian,Christianity,Jesus,Bible,God,Christian,apologeticshttp://www.theologyinsneakers.com/2379http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Inerrancy-of-Scripture.mp3 Please give the basic tenets of Gnosticism and how 1 John answered this system of thought. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheologyInSneakers/~3/bd_x9bUy2Tw/2362 http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/2362#comments Tue, 11 Oct 2011 03:34:30 +0000 sumair@theologyinsneakers.com (Sumair Mirza) http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/?p=2362
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]]> http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/2362/feed 0 noPost Features: Question: The Epistle of 1 John was written (among other things) to combat the heresy of Gnosticism. Please give the basic tenets of Gnosticism and how I John answered this system of thought. Answer: Firstly, the term Gnosticism is derived Sumair MirzaPost Features: Question: The Epistle of 1 John was written (among other things) to combat the heresy of Gnosticism. Please give the basic tenets of Gnosticism and how I John answered this system of thought. Answer: Firstly, the term Gnosticism is derived from the Greek word “gnosis” translated “knowledge”. It is this term that helps us begin our understanding of the positioning of the value found in its beliefs – that is in salvation gained through “special knowledge” (gnosis). So what is this “special knowledge” that supposedly helps us gain salvation? We must begin with exploring the worldview of the Gnostics which removes the element of a personal God and makes Him unknowable. This is concluded from a simple and flawed logic based on the fact that God is by nature too perfect and pure for us. The origins of our being are also very different than the Christian worldview as Gnostics believe that God created lesser gods called emanations and in turn one of these tried to know the unknowable God via Wisdom. This mistake that seems to mark a loose parallel to Satan wanting to have God’s nature and humanity’s original sin of wanting to seek knowledge from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (God’s domain) seems eerily familiar. Out of this faulty goal came an evil god (demiurge) who created the universe and beings known as the archons who subdued us “mortals” to prevent our souls from returning to our intended state with God. … Copyright 2010. Theology in Sneakers. All Rights Reserved. Related posts: Give five reasons to support your view of the divine inspiration of Scripture. Theology,Apologetics,Christian,Christianity,Jesus,Bible,God,Christian,apologeticshttp://www.theologyinsneakers.com/2362http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Gnosticism.mp3 Gospel Message: Anathema Against the Cross http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheologyInSneakers/~3/E5RoAjvZEM0/3532 http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/3532#comments Mon, 12 Sep 2011 04:53:15 +0000 sumair@theologyinsneakers.com (Sumair Mirza) http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/?p=3532
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]]> http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/3532/feed 0 noPost Features: Key verse(s)/quote(s): “The philosopher puts his glass to his eye, looks at the cross, and then says, “I cannot see anything so very wonderful in it, — even with this splendid glass of mine, which more than can be seen by that poor, humble Sumair MirzaPost Features: Key verse(s)/quote(s): “The philosopher puts his glass to his eye, looks at the cross, and then says, “I cannot see anything so very wonderful in it, — even with this splendid glass of mine, which more than can be seen by that poor, humble peasant; I do not care about such a system of religion as that; any simpleton can understand the cross.” So he passes by, and merely sneers at it.” - C.H. Spurgeon “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” - 1 Corinthians 1:18 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” - Romans 3:23 Overview: A few months ago, I was given the utmost of pleasures by being asked to preach my first ever “official” gospel message – it was also the first time I preached a message from the pulpit at my home church. We held an evening event for which we had established a theme of “It starts and ends at the cross”. It was an oddly nerve-wracking endeavor to prepare this message as I felt a weight from hosting such a lofty privilege as to handle a most poignant message carrying such extreme importance. Although there is an element of the Gospel in much if not all that I preach, it was different having a singular mandate to make the case for Christ and Christianity clear. Please feel free … Copyright 2010. Theology in Sneakers. All Rights Reserved. Related posts: How can I share the Gospel with my friends? Did Jesus Die on the Cross? Ahmadiyaa Muslims say “No! He just fainted.” God is Good! My first Sunday morning message. Theology,Apologetics,Christian,Christianity,Jesus,Bible,God,Christian,apologeticshttp://www.theologyinsneakers.com/3532http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Anathema-Against-the-Cross-TiS-Version.mp3 Define the nature of sin and discuss its consequences both temporally and eternally. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheologyInSneakers/~3/vEUEEF6Z-QE/2430 http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/2430#comments Thu, 18 Aug 2011 23:20:36 +0000 sumair@theologyinsneakers.com (Sumair Mirza) http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/?p=2430
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]]> http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/2430/feed 0 noPost Features: Question: Define the nature of sin and discuss its consequences both temporally and eternally. Answer: When evaluating sin we must understand it in the context of our humanity. John 8:44 says “You belong to your father, the devil, and you wSumair MirzaPost Features: Question: Define the nature of sin and discuss its consequences both temporally and eternally. Answer: When evaluating sin we must understand it in the context of our humanity. John 8:44 says “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” We can understand that by nature we are objects of God’s wrath (Ephesians 2:3) and this is so because our father is the devil until God adopts us into His family (Ephesians 1:5). We also understand that since the origin of sin is the devil and our identity is initially found in him we must strive to examine the characteristics of Satan. In the above passage (John 8:44), we can clearly see that the natural implications of our hereditary makeup in the devil is to carry out his desire and inherit his other traits (sin). With this understanding of the origins of sin we can then posit the contrary premise that if our God is our Father than we must “carry out [His] desire” and this would be the opposite of sin. Thus, sin is doing something that is contrary to God our Father’s will – in effect aligned to Satan’s desire/will. Additionally, as we would inherit the traits of the devil (once our … Copyright 2010. Theology in Sneakers. All Rights Reserved. Related posts: Please discuss both the original and current nature of humanity. Discuss the meaning of being “saved by grace”. Theology,Apologetics,Christian,Christianity,Jesus,Bible,God,Christian,apologeticshttp://www.theologyinsneakers.com/2430http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Nature_Of_Sin.mp3 Please discuss both the original and current nature of humanity. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheologyInSneakers/~3/iAAIGkv4mWE/2422 http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/2422#comments Fri, 08 Jul 2011 01:55:49 +0000 sumair@theologyinsneakers.com (Sumair Mirza) http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/?p=2422
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]]> http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/2422/feed 0 noPost Features: Question:  Please discuss both the original and current nature of humanity. Answer: In order to understand the original and current nature of humanity, we must venture right to the beginning of our creation. In Genesis 1:26-30, we see the cSumair MirzaPost Features: Question:  Please discuss both the original and current nature of humanity. Answer: In order to understand the original and current nature of humanity, we must venture right to the beginning of our creation. In Genesis 1:26-30, we see the creation account where God decides to create man in His image and provides for them everything that is needed. Interestingly, in Genesis 1:31 we see God’s proclamation that “it was very good”. This is not just a simple classification but an escalated declaration of God’s assessment of His created works. If we look to just prior to the account of man’s creation in Genesis 1:25, we see that preceding our creation God has declared his works “good” not “very good”. Something special had occurred and that was the entry of man a unique element of His creation that shared in His image (more information on what this means in this post on being made in the image of God). Original state: Man’s nature contained an intrinsic resemblance of God’s divine nature. Both male and female were made with God’s hands and thus no lack of equality is present. Some even have cleverly presented that woman was created after man as God’s final creation act and thus in verse 31 declares it all “very good”. At this time free will was given to man and a command was given to not eat of the tree. The fall: Interestingly, Eve makes a mistake even when confronted by Satan saying … Copyright 2010. Theology in Sneakers. All Rights Reserved. Related posts: Define the nature of sin and discuss its consequences both temporally and eternally. Discuss the meaning of being “saved by grace”. Theology,Apologetics,Christian,Christianity,Jesus,Bible,God,Christian,apologeticshttp://www.theologyinsneakers.com/2422http://www.theologyinsneakers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Nature_Of_Humanity.mp3 Copyright. Theology in Sneakers. All Rights Reserved.Sumair MirzanonadultEvidence for things unseen.