Blog
Coffee time…
I have always enjoyed discovering different coffee spots during our travel times... This morning I'll be having a cortado with a fresh piece of baklava! What is your favorite coffee and where do you like to hangout for your study time?
15 Reasons Why the Investigative Judgment Doctrine = A Different Gospel
If you have any experience or interaction with the Seventh-day Adventist church, you know how crucial the Investigative Judgment doctrine is to their entire framework. Let me share a few reasons why this doctrine is problematic, since it preaches a different Gospel.1....
Contending for the Faith
In a world filled with competing truth claims and theological confusion, every Christian faces a crucial question: How do we faithfully defend our faith without becoming needlessly divisive? The apostle Jude provides our answer when he urges believers to "contend for...
Does Christmas Have Pagan Origins?
As we approach the joyful season of Christmas, it's crucial to delve into the true origins of this cherished holiday and clarify some misconceptions surrounding it. While many people often associate December 25th with pagan traditions and festivals, the reality is...
The Formation and Entrenchment of the Adventist Doctrinal Framework
When was the last time you traced back the roots of your theological tradition? Every denominational system—whether Lutheranism, Presbyterianism, Calvinism, Roman Catholicism, Mormonism, or Seventh-day Adventism—has a distinct origin story. If it ends in "-ism,"...
📚 002 – ACADEMIC ARTICLE MONDAY: Reconstructing A Biblical Model of Giving
🎓 GAME-CHANGING Research on Biblical Giving! | Academic Article Monday 📚Welcome back to Academic Article Monday! 🔥YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/MSwgB0-HIIE?si=cHF398glty71FH-rThis week, we're UNPACKING Köstenberger & Croteau's mind-blowing follow-up study that...
Episode 1 | 🚨 Dismantling ADL’s Daniel – Magnitude of Power Exposed🚨
This video presents a scholarly rebuttal to the claim that the "little horn" in Daniel 8:9 cannot refer to Antiochus IV Epiphanes because it "waxed exceeding great" beyond the Medo-Persian and Greek empires.Key Arguments:Linguistic Analysis: The Hebrew term gādal...
Episode 2 | 🚨 Dismantling ADL’s Daniel – ‘Time of the End’ Argument🚨
This video presents a detailed scholarly rebuttal to the claim that Daniel 8's references to "the time of the end" (ʿēt qēṣ) preclude an Antiochus IV Epiphanes interpretation because the phrase allegedly points to eschatological events far beyond the 2nd century...
Episode 3 | 🚨 Dismantling ADL’s Daniel – ”In the Latter Time of Their Kingdom” Argument🚨
This video presents a thorough scholarly rebuttal to the claim that Daniel 8:23's phrase "in the latter time of their kingdom" (beʾaḥarīt malkhūtām) disqualifies Antiochus IV Epiphanes as the "little horn" because he allegedly appeared too early in Seleucid history...
From Babylon to Maccabees: Rethinking the Origins of the Book of Daniel
I recognize that Daniel exists in two primary versions: the Hebrew/Aramaic text found in the Masoretic tradition, and the expanded Greek versions (Septuagint and Theodotion) containing four significant Additions. These Additions—the Prayer of Azariah, the Song of the...
Bibliology – Doctrinal Synthesis Paper
ST5101 DOCTRINAL SYNTHESIS PAPER___________________A PaperPresented toDr. Glenn R. KreiderDallas Theological Seminary___________________In Partial Fulfillmentof the Requirements for the CourseST5101 Theological Method and Bibliology___________________ByMichael Allen...
🔥 UNPOPULAR OPINION: What if we’ve (SDA’s) been reading Daniel all wrong? 🔥
The Seventh-day Adventist church has built entire doctrines around the "little horn" in Daniel 8 being Rome/papacy... but what if the evidence actually points to Antiochus IV Epiphanes all along? 🤔Think about it: 📍 The vision explicitly says it concerns the "time of...
001 – Will a Man Rob God?
Welcome to Academic Article Monday!Picture this: You're sitting in church on a Sunday morning when the pastor steps up to the pulpit with that particular gleam in his eye. You know what's coming. The offering envelope in your hand suddenly feels heavier as the...
What is My Methodological Approach to Studying the Bible?
This question was asked in my last ThM (Master of Theology) exam at DTS (Dallas Theological Seminary). I want to share my official write-up so that those following understand where I'm coming from as I interpret Scripture.My Methodological Approach to Bible Study:My...
Revelation 10 and the Man Clothed in Linen
Dive into Revelation 10 with me as we explore one of the most intriguing interludes in the Apocalypse—stopping right at the Ezekiel scroll scene. We’ll unpack the identity of the “mighty angel,” the echoes of Old Testament theophanies, and how John weaves deep...
(Ep. 2) Candid Conversation
Welcome to The Thinking Cup! In this episode, we delve into Hebrews 4, the word that sparks commentary—“sabbatismos”—and how it intersects with broader discussions about the Sabbath, the Seal of God, and the Mark of the Beast. Is the “rest” purely spiritual in Christ,...
Sabbath 101 + Covenant Theology Q&A | Rest, Remnant, and Real Talk ⏰📖
Welcome to Episode 3 of the Candid Conversations Live Q&AEver wondered how the Sabbath fits into a Jesus-centered life—or how covenant theology differs between Seventh-day Adventists and other traditions? In this video, we take a clear, conversation-style...
The Day the Doctrine Cracked: When Scholarship Meets Conscience – with Dr. Jerry Gladson
🎙️ Live Interview with Dr. Jerry Gladson: A Theologian’s Journey Out of AdventismSeptember 18th, at 4:30 pm CSTJoin us for a candid, thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Jerry Gladson as we explore his personal and theological journey out of Adventism. We’ll dive...
Spirit of Prophecy? or Spirit of Hypocrisy?
This has been a labor of love. Each of these research-intensive episodes is more than 20 hours of work. I'm excited to be working on episode 5, which will detail the actual life of Ellen White and her statements about Jewelry. If...
Live ‘Episode 5’ will start his afternoon at 3 pm CST
🎥 Unmasking the Spirit of Hypocrisy: Ellen G. White's Double Standards Exposed! 🎭 https://www.youtube.com/live/ZfJlM6ZEZw0?si=TmqcTgbB3_x2BtPEEver wondered if the rules apply to everyone... or just the followers? 😏 In this eye-opening deep dive, we peel back the...
“No Creed But the Bible?”
I grew up in an anti-creedal church, the Seventh-day Adventist Church. They love to say, "We have no creed but the Bible! No creed, just the Bible!" The irony behind that ideology and framework is that this very concept is, in fact, a creed. And it's a creed that...
Does good theology that’s different from your own theology challenge—or comfort—you?
Good theology doesn’t destroy faith; it builds and strengthens it. Sometimes that means clearing out false assumptions—those “always” and “never” ideas about God—and replacing them with truth. If you were taught: “God will never let anything bad happen to His...
The Day the Doctrine Cracked: When Scholarship Meets Conscience
Join the Conversation: A Live Interview with Dr. Jerry GladsonWhat happens when scholarship, conscience, and lived faith collide? Join us for a rare, candid livestream conversation with Dr. Jerry Gladson—author of A Theologian’s Journey Out of Adventism—as we explore...
Erroneous Fallacies Abound for ADL Interpretations
Understanding the importance of proper exegetical arguments when interpreting the Scriptures is crucial for anyone who seeks to engage with the Bible meaningfully. Imagine a group gathered around a table, eager to discuss a particular passage of Scripture. Each person...
Should We Keep The Law?
Should we keep the law? Or do we throw the Law out? I don’t think this dichotomy is a fair assessment of the options that Paul presents as the Apostle to the Gentiles. And since I consider myself a Gentile, I feel especially compelled to understand Paul’s perspective...
Exegetical Fallacies Create Theological Errors
YES, YES, YES! Thank you, D.A. Carson, for the reminder! This is just another reason I push so hard to seek sound exegesis with Scripture! Let the text be what it is—an Ancient Text. I struggle to honor the text for what it is. I get it. The struggle is real. But...
Episode 16: Was Sunday Worship an Apostolic Mandate?
It is essential to recognize that the New Testament never refers to Sunday as the Sabbath. Instead, it is always called the first day of the week. Likewise, the term the Lord’s Day, though used by early church fathers for Sunday, does not appear in the New Testament...
Episode 15: Sunday, It’s Role in Christian Worship
Many Covenant Theologians insist that Sunday has replaced the Sabbath and that the Old Testament Sabbath laws now apply to it. This claim has led to widespread beliefs about the origin and significance of Sunday worship in Christian practice. While Seventh-day...
Episode 14: The Sabbath in the Book of Hebrews
The Book of Hebrews presents the Sabbath not as a literal day of worship but as a typological representation of spiritual rest. This approach is consistent with the broader biblical theme of rest, which extends beyond a weekly observance and points to deeper...
Episode 13 – Sabbath in the Epistles of Paul
Throughout Paul’s writings, the Sabbath is explicitly mentioned only once. Let that reality settle in for a second. Paul, the most prolific Apostolic writer in the New Testament, only mentions Sabbath once. Here is the text: “Therefore let no one pass judgment on you...
Episode 12 – The Sabbath in the Book of Acts
The Book of Acts mentions the Sabbath a total of nine times. However, an examination of these references reveals that none of them provide a basis for mandatory Sabbath observance among either Jewish or Gentile believers. The first mention of the Sabbath occurs in...
Episode 11 – Sabbath in the Gospels
The Gospels highlight three major areas of conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees: His claim to be the Messiah His rejection of the Mishnah and rabbinic traditions (such as ritual handwashing and fasting) The correct way to observe the Sabbath. Among these, the...
Episode 10 – Summarizing What We Learned So Far
Summary of Episodes 1-8 There is no scriptural basis for mandatory Sabbath observance, whether from the claim that it is a creation ordinance or from an appeal to the Law of Moses. The attempt to establish Sabbath-keeping as a binding obligation fails both...
Ep. 9 – Is the Sabbath Law Moral or Ceremonial
The debate over Sabbath observance hinges on whether the Sabbath law should be classified as moral or ceremonial. While some maintain the common distinction between moral, ceremonial, and civil laws, Scripture itself does not make such a division. Even if one were to...
The Chicago Buildings Vision Fiasco
Letter Written by Ellen White from the Grave:Throughout my life and ministry, I've often been asked about the nature and purpose of my testimonies—the writings given to guide, instruct, and correct the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Let me clearly express that these...
Ep. 8 – The Ceremonial, Civil, and Moral Distinctions
"The Law of Moses Has Really Truly Been Rendered Inoperative!" The New Testament unequivocally teaches that the Law of Moses has been rendered inoperative through the death of Christ. This means that the Mosaic Law, in its entirety, no longer holds authority over any...
Ep. 7 – The Perpetuity of the Sabbath
One of the primary arguments Seventh-day Adventists use to advocate for mandatory Sabbath observance is based on passages in Exodus that describe the Sabbath as a perpetual and everlasting commandment. Exodus 31:13 (NASB2020) states that the Sabbath is to be observed...
Ep. 6 – The Sabbath: Is it a Creation Ordinance?
One of the primary arguments for mandatory Sabbath observance is the claim that the Sabbath is a creation ordinance established at the beginning of human history and, therefore, binding on all people, both Jews and Gentiles. The key passage used to support this...
Ep. 5 – The Sabbath
The Sabbath functioned as the sign, seal, and token of the Mosaic Covenant. As long as that covenant remained in effect, the Sabbath law was obligatory for Israel. However, since the Law of Moses has been rendered inoperative through the work of Christ, the Sabbath...
Ep. 4 – Principle of Freedom
Believers in the Messiah are no longer bound by the Law of Moses. This means that they are not obligated to observe any of its commandments as a requirement for righteousness, salvation, and being made right with God. However, this freedom extends in both...
Ep. 3 – The Law of Christ
With the Law of Moses set aside, believers now live under a new law—the Law of Christ. This law, mentioned explicitly in Galatians 6:2 as “the law of Christ” and in Romans 8:2 as “the law of the Spirit of life,” represents an entirely distinct system from the Mosaic...
Ep. 2 – The Law of Moses Has Been Rendered Inoperative
The New Testament clearly teaches that the Law of Moses has been rendered inoperative following the death of Christ. This means that the law, in its entirety, no longer holds authority over any individual. Paul explains this in Romans 7:1–6, using the analogy of...
Ep. 1 – The Mosaic Covenant and the Law of Moses
The relationship between the Mosaic Covenant and the Law of Moses has been a point of theological debate. Many who adhere to Covenant Theology argue that the Law of Moses continues to serve as a rule of life for believers today and use this assertion to support their...
The Adventist Three Angels’ Messages
Decoding Adventist Interpretation vs. Historical Context In the realm of Christian eschatology, few passages have sparked as much debate and divergent interpretation as the Three Angels' Messages found in Revelation 14:6-12. This cryptic series of proclamations has...
How My Bible Study Method Changed: Moving Beyond William Miller’s Concordance Approach
I used to believe that all I needed to understand the Bible was the Bible itself and Strong’s Concordance. I remember being given a Strong’s Concordance from my dad when I was in my teens. And through the years, I’ve seen many newly baptized Adventists receive...
The Great Controversy: A Biblical Evaluation of Adventist Theology
The Great Controversy is a central doctrine in Seventh-day Adventist theology, depicting an ongoing cosmic conflict between God and Satan over the authority of divine law and the allegiance of creation. [1] According to Adventism, this struggle revolves around whether...
Sunday Worship CANNOT EQUAL the ‘Mark of the Beast!’ – Reason #6
Reason #6 - Theological Bias Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) interpretation of the Mark of the Beast and related eschatological themes reflect the denomination’s theological emphasis on Sabbath observance, projecting this belief onto the text of Revelation rather than...
Sunday Worship CANNOT EQUAL the ‘Mark of the Beast!’ – Reason #5
Reason #5 - Broader Symbolism of the Beast’s Mark The Mark of the Beast in Revelation is best understood as a symbolic representation of loyalty to the Beast’s anti-God agenda, starkly contrasting the “seal of God” described in Revelation 7:2-3, Revelation 9:4, and...
Sunday Worship CANNOT EQUAL the ‘Mark of the Beast!’ – Reason #4
Reason #4 - Economic and Political Dimensions of the Mark Revelation 13 associates the Mark of the Beast with economic control and political power, exemplified by the inability to buy or sell without the mark. “Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and...
Sunday Worship CANNOT EQUAL the ‘Mark of the Beast!’ – Reason #3
Reason # 3 - Misinterpretation of Sabbath and Sunday The Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) position upholds Sunday observance as a human tradition and the Sabbath as a divine institution, consistent with their theological framework. However, no biblical evidence suggests...