About Alvin Rapien _______________ I am a theology nerd (theonerd). My main interests include hermeneutics (philosophical and exegetical), the social-historical contexts of Scripture, and ecumenism. I like reading, running, and drinking coffee. I have a wonderful girlfriend named Aubrey .Tumblr (3.0; @thepoorinspirit)http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/ organicsoymilk asks:  How do you feel about Paul? Do you trust his epistles? Does his arrogance...http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/53232481707http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/53232481707Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:26:00 -0400PaulTheologyApostle PaulSaint PaulGodJesus ChristHoly SpiritNew TestamentNTNT WrightJames Dunnorganicsoymilkask<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/67fcc38d36205a473292fa080a4fa094/tumblr_mnbuo2jLQZ1r7ggd7o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><blockquote> <p>Many people are uncomfortable when a spiritual authority discusses the god of mammon. You can hear it in such phrases as, “That church has no business talking to me about money”, or “What I do with my money is not my pastor’s concern”, or the up-front “So will I go to hell for not tithing 10%?” (Yes, I have heard all of these with my very own ears).</p> <p>For many, money is an even harder topic when you don’t have much of it — especially if you’re in debt. We live in an age where <span><span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/09/opinion/blow-a-dangerous-new-normal-in-college-debt.html?ref=studentloans" target="_blank">getting a college degree is landing the upcoming generation in debt</a></span></span> and some people say that the financial return, depending on the degree and person, <span><span><a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/09/09/megan-mcardle-on-the-coming-burst-of-the-college-bubble.html" target="_blank">sometimes isn’t worth it</a></span></span> while (<span><span><a href="http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/tag/is-college-worth-it/" target="_blank">others say it is</a></span></span>). Even in many first world economies outside the US, <span><span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/04/business/global/04iht-euro04.html?pagewanted=all" target="_blank">especially in Europe</a></span></span>, don’t seem to be holding up well, either. With so much discussion about our monetary struggles, we cannot help but ask:</p> <p><strong><em>When Jesus said “blessed are the poor”, does that include me?</em></strong></p> <br/><a href="http://www.theunitive.com/blessed-are-the-poor-does-that-include-me/" target="_blank"><strong>Read More</strong></a></blockquote> <p>Check out my post on <a href="http://www.theunitive.com" target="_blank">The Unitive</a> on money!</p>http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/51261134018http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/51261134018Fri, 24 May 2013 20:00:02 -0400GodJesusChristHoly SpiritMoneyMammonTheologyReligionPoorPoor In SpiritChristianityChurchThere is a point when Christian fundamentalists can become Christian heretics.I am speaking of those...http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/51109756949http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/51109756949Wed, 22 May 2013 20:30:33 -0400GodJesusHoly SpiritFundamentalismBibleScriptureReligionChurchChristianityChristTheologyGrace<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/fd1048c9becf7a478ab73e975cc2ade3/tumblr_mmritbIjiE1re5pwyo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://www.ecumenicals.org/post/50387916402/inspiration" target="_blank">the-ecumenicals</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>What does it mean that Scripture is “inspired” and what are its implications?</strong>*<br/><br/>“God is in control. He doesn’t need people, but He uses us. He did not invade Amos’ brain. Rather, He used Amos’ background and experiences to communicate to His people.”<br/><a href="http://www.ecumenicals.org/post/50387806312/inspiration-abbies-response" target="_self"><strong>Read Abbie’s Response→</strong></a><br/><br/>“Theology, if its texts are truly inspired by this absent divinity, is not guided by a firm Archimedean point, but paradoxically, by a greater question mark; theology, guided by inspiration, <em>is less firm than its secular contemporaries</em>.”<br/><a href="http://www.ecumenicals.org/post/50387810908/inspiration-justins-response" target="_self"><strong>Read Justin’s Response→</strong></a><br/><br/>“If being fully human does not take away from being fully divine in the case of Christ, then why can we not have the same mysterious hypostatic union with Scripture?”<br/><a href="http://www.ecumenicals.org/post/50387816134/inspiration-alvins-response" target="_self"><strong>Read Alvin’s Response→</strong></a><br/><em><br/></em></p> <h1><a href="http://www.ecumenicals.org/post/48740525973/lgbtq" target="_self">» Previous Post:  </a><br/><a href="http://www.ecumenicals.org/post/48740525973/lgbtq" target="_self">LGBTQ+ »</a><br/><br/></h1> <p><em>*Note:  This is not an ‘apologetics’ post on whether Scripture is inspired or not, but rather what inspiration means.</em></p> </blockquote>http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/50396490488http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/50396490488Mon, 13 May 2013 23:34:00 -0400theologyBiblescottxstephens: &#8220;Life/salvation/justification are all given to those who have faith in Christ,...http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/49978355317http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/49978355317Wed, 08 May 2013 21:31:18 -0400 There is a statement being discussed among some of my fellow bloggers: &#8220;I’m gettin’ real...http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/48651975737http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/48651975737Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:14:00 -0400InterpretationBibleScriptureReligionGodJesusChristHoly SpiritChurchGadamerWestphalProtestantCatholicOrthodoxHellSalvation So God created mankind in his own image,    in the image of God he created them;     male and...http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/48402935425http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/48402935425Fri, 19 Apr 2013 21:59:00 -0400Boston BombingManhuntDzhokhar TsarnaevGodJesusChristHoly SpiritReligionChristianityTeamNonViolenceBibleScripture So also Christ did not glorify in himself in becoming a high priest&#8230;  In the days of his...http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/48242091577http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/48242091577Wed, 17 Apr 2013 21:08:20 -0400HebrewsEpistle to the HebrewsGodJesusHoly SpiritNew TestamentBibleTheologyScriptureChristianityChurchChrist Therefore, brothers and sisters, holy partners in a heavenly calling, consider that Jesus, the...http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/47500321778http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/47500321778Mon, 08 Apr 2013 20:54:08 -0400GodJesusChristHoly SpiritHebrewsNew TestamentBibleScriptureReligionTheology<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/b91f0f7c4078debdba92a0c673b6d938/tumblr_mkr7ufIwgG1re5pwyo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://www.ecumenicals.org/post/47146344317/what-is-the-meaning-of-the-resurrection-one-of" target="_blank">the-ecumenicals</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>What is the Meaning of the Resurrection?</strong><br/><br/>“One of the thing strikes me about the disciples’ time in that upper room which brings a great depth of meaning and modern applicability: the fear and hopelessness they must have felt after Jesus’ departure which is the thing transformed to joy by the Resurrection.”<br/><a href="http://www.ecumenicals.org/post/47146275048/resurrection-graces-response" target="_self"><strong>Read Grace’s Post →</strong></a><br/><br/>“The resurrection, though, seemed like nonsense and was my greatest stumbling block. I could not accept such goofy dogma. Over time, though, this ‘nonsense’ began seeming glorious.”<br/><strong><a href="http://www.ecumenicals.org/post/47146270897/resurrection-hyes-response" target="_self">Read Hye’s Post →</a><br/><br/></strong></p> <h1><a href="http://www.ecumenicals.org/post/46298203673/the-eucharist" target="_self">» Previous Post:  </a><br/><a href="http://www.ecumenicals.org/post/46298203673/the-eucharist" target="_self">The Eucharist »</a></h1> </blockquote>http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/47157685726http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/47157685726Thu, 04 Apr 2013 21:59:27 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/9f77e481551021302777065e4ba5c132/tumblr_mkhy8o34Q71r7ggd7o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><blockquote> <h3><strong><em>Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?</em></strong> <br/><strong> My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? (Mark 15:34)</strong></h3> <p>Good Friday is the day Christians declare that “<a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=S0dYxC3h_i8C&lpg=PA79&dq=god%20is%20dead%20the%20gay%20science&pg=PA79#v=onepage&q&f=false" target="_blank">God is dead… <em>We have killed him</em> – you and I! We are all his murderers</a>.”  The Saturday following is the observance that Jesus lay in the tomb.  For Christians, we await the resurrection that comes Sunday.  The Apostles, however, were not offered an immediate explanation:  the crucifixion was met with confusion and desperation.  Behind our explanations of Christ’s death, we must not forget the tragedy of the divine separation of the Son from the Father. We need to take this tragedy — this divine separation — more seriously.</p> <p>What if we read Christ’s death in Mark’s gospel with us keeping the relationship of the Trinity in mind?  I argue that this should be a foundational reading to <em>truly</em> grasp the weight of Christianity.</p> <p>Before I dive into this topic, I’d like to echo the sentiments of G.K. Chesterton:<br/> “<a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=xGbxVyadZswC&lpg=PP1&pg=PT184#v=onepage&q&f=false" target="_blank">I approach a matter more dark and awful than it is easy to discuss; and I apologize in advance if any of my phrases fall wrong or seem irreverent</a>“. But in my tip-toeing around sacred ground, I want to ask: How seriously do we take “the cry from the cross: The cry which confessed that God was forsaken of God”?</p> <h1><strong><a href="http://www.theunitive.com/holy-saturday-god-is-dead/" target="_blank">Read More</a></strong></h1> </blockquote> <p>Another post of mine on <a href="http://www.theunitive.com/" target="_blank">The Unitive</a> for Holy Saturday!</p>http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/46710064750http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/46710064750Sat, 30 Mar 2013 19:22:00 -0400GodJesusChristHoly SpiritBibleScriptureTheologyReligionGood FridayHoly SaturdayEaster SundayEasterHoly WeekThe UnitiveChristianityChurchI attended an Orthodox service with my girlfriend Aubrey when I recently visited California.The...http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/46091122837http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/46091122837Sat, 23 Mar 2013 14:48:46 -0400LentOrthodoxyEastern OrthodoxGodJesusHoly SpiritCatholicChristianChurchTheologyReligion Taiwan Experiences, circa Mar 2012 by Megan: organicsoymilk: Today I came across an old chat...http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/45951743514http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/45951743514Thu, 21 Mar 2013 20:18:00 -0400ChristianityJesusGodHoly SpiritBibleScriptureChurchTaiwan<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/667c3d6927e12815e448552fbdef9999/tumblr_mjvxwwam2d1rdiyzwo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://aabyegrace.tumblr.com/post/45724243465/over-the-past-few-months-i-have-been-convinced" target="_blank">aabyegrace</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>Over the past few months, I have been convinced that the modern agricultural industry is incompatible with my responsibility to steward creation. This has led me to certain clear choices about what I will and will not eat.</p> <h1><a href="http://aabyegrace.tumblr.com/post/45724243465/over-the-past-few-months-i-have-been-convinced" target="_blank">Read More</a></h1> </blockquote> <p>A thought provoking and challenging post by Abbie!</p>http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/45875195220http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/45875195220Wed, 20 Mar 2013 20:25:50 -0400GodCreationChristianityFoodFaith Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, [Christ] likewise shared the same things, so...http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/45796110837http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/45796110837Tue, 19 Mar 2013 20:25:00 -0400GodJesusChristHoly SpiritBibleScriptureTheologyHebrewsEpistle to the Hebrewsscottxstephens: Read More Another great post by Scott!http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/44740158764http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/44740158764Wed, 06 Mar 2013 18:33:20 -0500TheologyGreekJesusGodChristHoly SpiritBibleScriptureNew Testament<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/69550e1ef8e4343145f9dc120cbe9b9d/tumblr_mj7sd6TzZ21r7ggd7o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><blockquote> <h1><strong>When God Doesn’t Listen</strong><br/><br/></h1> <h2><strong>Imagine, with me:</strong></h2> <p>A growing church is preparing for their next service. The preaching-teaching pastor has been laboring over a text’s meaning. The music team is perfecting their transitions between songs. Lights are programmed to fit in with the mood of each change. The video team is putting together a film in relation to the sermon. The flow of the service is discussed and then printed out.</p> <p>Sunday morning rolls around.</p> <p>You enter the sanctuary and it is packed. You feel the strong energy in the room, the lights are just right, the music is loud, the expression on everyone’s face is passionate and animated. The sermon is powerfully delivered, the video is moving, prayers are heartfelt, and even some tears are shed. You and everyone around feel the unity of this local church. You and the congregation, moved in your hearts and overwhelmed by awe, disperse for lunch.</p> <p>And now imagine God putting the divine hands over divine ears and weeping.<br/><br/> Many familiar with the above would call this “worship”, but is it really worship if God is not listening? <br/><br/>Without God listening, it is no more than a show or a carnival. <span></span></p> <h1><strong><a href="http://www.theunitive.com/when-god-doesnt-listen-alvin-rapien/" target="_blank">Read More</a></strong></h1> </blockquote> <p>An article I wrote for <a href="http://www.theunitive.com" target="_blank">The Unitive</a>.  Check it out!</p>http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/44668895739http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/44668895739Tue, 05 Mar 2013 20:05:00 -0500The UnitiveGodJesusChristHoly SpiritWorshipTheologyBibleScriptureReligionChristianityChurchWhat is the author of Hebrews doing with Scripture? For to which of the angels did God ever...http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/44421794275http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/44421794275Sat, 02 Mar 2013 21:46:00 -0500HebrewsTheologyGodJesusChristHoly SpiritBibleScriptureReligionChurchChristianityEpistle to the HebrewsinterpretationThis is, in most part, a response to a question by Blake:&#8220;What is your opinion on the New...http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/44178992140http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/44178992140Wed, 27 Feb 2013 19:42:00 -0500blakebaggottNT WrightJohn PiperTheologyApostle PaulGodJesusHoly SpiritChristChurchChristianityReformed TheologyBibleScriptureReligion<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/8223d9f475e757970fb148dc8e1088ee/tumblr_mepxgvb92i1rdiyzwo1_r2_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://aabyegrace.tumblr.com/post/43456617292/one-of-my-professors-has-already-labeled-the-start" target="_blank">aabyegrace</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>One of my professors has already labeled the start of the 21st century as a “Golden Age for Apologetics.” This may or may not be true. But either way, in colleges and churches across the country, Christians are being trained to represent the Gospel to a variety of people in a variety of places.</p> <p>But are we trained to represent the Gospel to ourselves?</p> <p><em>Apologetics</em> comes from a Greek word which means to “speak a defense.” The purpose of Christian apologetics is to testify to the truthfulness of the Gospel  in the midst of competing and conflicting worldviews.</p> <p>As a result, we (theoretically, at least) know how to address a wide variety of topics, such as the exclusivity of the Gospel, the efficacy of Scripture, and the evidences for the resurrection.</p> <p>But one weakness that I have noticed in apologetic training is how to talk to <em>other Christians</em>.</p> <h3>Why would you need that?</h3> <p><a href="http://aabyegrace.tumblr.com/post/43456617292/one-of-my-professors-has-already-labeled-the-start" target="_blank">Read More</a></p> </blockquote> <p>Great post by <a href="http://aabyegrace.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">aabyegrace</a>.</p>http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/44031466297http://www.thepoorinspirit.com/post/44031466297Mon, 25 Feb 2013 21:30:00 -0500