Posts in Theology
Accepting the Invitation
Accepting the Invitation

In today’s culture, it is easy to get swept up in the grind mindset and an overall position of being discontent. The mornings that start off in a whirlwind of splashing water and chaotic closets have the ability to keep our bodies and minds in a state of stress throughout the day. As shadows grow longer, patience is harder to come by, especially in homes crowded with children, or workspaces teeming with tasks. The result? Our spirits become a total afterthought, more susceptible to lacking joy and gratitude

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TheologyRayanne NailComment
Back to the Very Beginning Part 2: The Biblical Church
Back to the Very Beginning Part 2: The Biblical Church

Welcome to Part 2 of Back to the Beginning where we talk about the history of the church and why different denominations exist! Click here for Part 1 of our series! If we want to fully understand church history, we have to go back to the very foundations of the church. Throughout the New Testament, we see Jesus going into the synagogues, but we find that isn’t where the basis of church is.

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TheologyAlycia Johnson Comments
Saved By Grace Alone
Saved By Grace Alone

When I notice something that bothers me in Church, or with other believers, it’s good to ask a question first: Is this a salvation issue or is it just a preference issue?


Christians are commanded not to judge others, but in a sense we do need to be able to judge for ourselves the non-negotiable territories. According to scripture, that line in the sand is where grace becomes legalism, and we start to do things because we think it will add anything to what Jesus has already done.

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TheologyMolly GonzalezComment
What If Jesus Had Never Been Born? Review
What If Jesus Had Never Been Born? Review

One of my personal favorite things in theology is the study of apologetics. At Tirzah, we previously did an article that explains all things apologetics, which you can check out here. A brief definition for you in this moment is writings or words to justify one’s beliefs. The reason I just explained that to you is because Dr. James Kennedy’s documentary and book “What If Jesus Had Never Been Born?” is an apologetics book.

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TheologyAlycia Johnsontheology, apologetics, book review, Dr. James KennedyComment
Beckoning to Hope
Beckoning to Hope

Seminary has stretched me in many ways and urged me to grow in empathy and experience. One class I am taking this semester is Christian History 50 CE - 1500 CE. Stick with me here. My class has learned about ancient theological arguments that have shaped the faith we practice today and divided the then-forming Christian tradition. Our professor arranged a visit to an Eastern Orthodox church to learn about their traditions, which are different than ours in the western church. 

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TheologyGuest Contributorchurch history, methodist, joy, jesus, Bible college, motherhood, hope, theology thursdayComment
Back to the Beginning Series: A Walk Through Church History (Pt. 1)
Back to the Beginning Series: A Walk Through Church History (Pt. 1)

This means once a month throughout the year, I will be sharing with you how church doctrines and denominations came to be. Tirzah is not a place where we identify under a doctrine or a church denomination - rather we are a place where we explore God’s Word together and see how God has placed us in His Kingdom. As a ministry leader, I’ve connected many different women to the right churches for them. 

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TheologyAlycia Johnsontheology thursday, reformation, church history, methodist, wesley, lutheran, denominations, assemblies of god, five fold ministry Comments
Everything NEW- A Word Study
Everything NEW- A Word Study

So we have hung up our new calendar for the year and have decided to start a few good habits (or at least one) in 2023. We have spent December 31st thanking God for the blessings of 2022 and our hearts are full of praise and thanks to God. As the new year dawns, we are glad but with it we draw a curtain on the unknown. The blank fresh dates on the calendar will soon get filled up. But for now, it is empty and blank.

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TheologyShoba RanjitsinghComment
Advent: The Missing Pieces of the Christmas Season
Advent: The Missing Pieces of the Christmas Season

Young and innocent Mary lived in Nazareth a town in Galilee. She was so excited, she blushed as her friends teased her as the bride to be. Mary was engaged to Joseph; she had seen Joseph a few times in family gatherings. He looked like a kind; compassionate man and she looked forward to starting a family with this godly man. As Mary’s friends left and her parents went about making the wedding arrangements, Mary caught herself all alone.


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TheologyShoba Ranjitsingh Comments
Journeying with Jesus #5
Journeying with Jesus #5

I love a good adventure… hitting the open road… taking to the skies… Meeting new people, tasting delicacies I’ve never heard of before, breathing in the beauty of the architecture and natural wonders of the world, and trying new things which push me outside my comfort zone (Helmet diving, anyone? I highly recommend it!). I feel like I could travel forever and never get bored of it. There’s always more to discover.

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TheologyAlison WhiteComment
Writing Verses in Our Hearts
Writing Verses in Our Hearts

I am so excited about what we are doing today. We are going to be drawing out verses that will help us learn them. In 2020 when COVID hit us and we were all stuck in our homes, my friends and I met on Zoom to draw verses. It started when my friends Winnie and Sheila said they just could not draw. I wanted to rid them of that fear to draw so encouraged them saying we could do a session on drawing verses together. We had fun!

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TheologyShoba Ranjitsingh Comments
Letter From the Editor: October
Letter From the Editor: October

For those who don’t know, Reformation Day is the day that Martin Luther nailed the “95 Theses” to a Catholic Church door. During this time, much of the church was following Catholicism and practices that said you could earn forgiveness and salvation. Martin Luther’s theses explained that the Bible was the ultimate authority and only Jesus could forgive sins. This started the Protestant Reformation and helped spark a new day for the church in history.

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Relationships, TheologyAlycia Johnsonmartin luther, reformation, katharina von bora Comments
To The Woman Who Gleans: Part 2
To The Woman Who Gleans: Part 2

Now, we all know or have heard about Ruth’s past – was married into a household that worshiped God, lost her husband and father-in-law, and had the option to go back to her family but instead she decided to remain loyal to her mother-in-law, Naomi. We also know what happens afterwards – Naomi’s family member, Boaz, marries Ruth and they live happily ever after. This is a love story far better than any made-up Disney romance.

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Relationships, TheologyShanik Ramirezruth, love stories, theology, blessing, favor, boaz, theology thursdays Comment
How to Love Others as Christ Does (Part 2)
How to Love Others as Christ Does (Part 2)

Earlier this week, I tried to help someone, offering some expertise around a particular topic in which she could have benefited from some insight. In response, I received some rather abrasive words… and an opportunity. Opportunity, you say. What? Yes, that’s right. This interaction gave me a choice about how I would respond. Initially, I found myself feeling frustrated at her response, particularly knowing that she was going to face difficulty which could easily have been avoided.

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TheologyAlison White Comment
Shoba’s Corner: Make Me More Like Thee
Shoba’s Corner: Make Me More Like Thee

When I was a student at Bain School in Chennai India, this was one of my favorite choruses. I wrote my own Tamil version for Sunday School years later and sang it often. When I saw my young cousin Kalpana wearing a WWJD bracelet (What Would Jesus Do) I thought of how hard it was to actually live like Jesus in this world. Today we will look at Jesus and learn 3 specific ways we can be more like Jesus, every day.

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TheologyShoba Ranjitsingh Comments
Words to the Wise: Comfort in the Waters
Words to the Wise: Comfort in the Waters

I wrote this verse wondering why it is that we grieve when tragic things happen to us - why should we care when tragedy is part and parcel of this world, that we created? This is the question I am essaying - attempting - to answer today. In the end, we grieve because we care about our relationships. Whether it is estrangement, divorce, or death, we grieve because we love the one who is now lost. How is it, then, that we as Christians can grieve with hope?

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TheologyOzi OjukwuComment
To the Woman Who Gleans the Field Pt.1
To the Woman Who Gleans the Field Pt.1

Dear woman in the field,

I know there are days you wake up wishing things were different.

I know there are days you feel like giving up.

I know there are days you lie wide awake with mountains of stress and anxiety looming over you.

I know there are days you cry in the nooks of your homes, cars, workspaces, public bathrooms, and any place you can find to release the heaviness in your hearts.

But, I write to you to remind you that your God hears your cries and prayers – He sees you in these intimate moments and is with you.

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TheologyShanik RamirezComment