Spiritual vs. Physical Realities

Divine Paradoxes: Resolving Seeming Contradictions in Christian TheologyCategory 5: Spiritual vs. Physical Realities 1. Introduction Christianity presents a radical call: to live not by what is visible and measurable, but by faith in what is unseen. As Paul declares in 2 Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by…

Divine Paradoxes: Resolving Seeming Contradictions in Christian TheologyCategory 5: Spiritual vs. Physical Realities 1. Introduction In a material world where physical evidence is considered the basis of truth and reality, the Christian faith boldly asserts that what is seen is transient, and what is unseen is eternal. This paradox, drawn…

Divine Paradoxes: Resolving Seeming Contradictions in Christian TheologyCategory 5: Spiritual vs. Physical Realities 1. Introduction Heaven is traditionally perceived as a realm “above” or “beyond” earthly existence—a transcendent space of glory, angels, and the throne of God. Yet Jesus declared in Luke 17:21, “The kingdom of God is within you.”…

Divine Paradoxes: Resolving Seeming Contradictions in Christian TheologyCategory 5: Spiritual vs. Physical Realities 1. Introduction Christian believers live daily in the physical world, subject to earthly time, suffering, and social realities. Yet Scripture makes the astounding claim that they are already “seated with Christ in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 2:6).…

Divine Paradoxes: Resolving Seeming Contradictions in Christian TheologyCategory 5: Spiritual vs. Physical Realities 1. Introduction Death is the inescapable end of all physical life—a result of sin (Romans 6:23). Yet Scripture proclaims that those who are in Christ shall never truly die (John 11:25–26), and are promised eternal life (1…

Divine Paradoxes: Resolving Seeming Contradictions in Christian TheologyCategory 5: Spiritual vs. Physical Realities 1. Introduction Christian theology affirms that believers are engaged in a spiritual battle, described vividly in Ephesians 6:12: “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities… against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Yet, in everyday…

Divine Paradoxes: Resolving Seeming Contradictions in Christian TheologyCategory 5: Spiritual vs. Physical Realities 1. Introduction Jesus boldly declared, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36), affirming that His rule does not originate from political systems, military conquest, or human governance. Yet, throughout history, the presence of Christ’s kingdom…

Divine Paradoxes: Resolving Seeming Contradictions in Christian TheologyCategory 5: Spiritual vs. Physical Realities 1. Introduction After His resurrection, Jesus ascended physically into heaven, departing from His disciples in bodily form (Acts 1:9–11). Yet He promised, “I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20). The…

Divine Paradoxes: Resolving Seeming Contradictions in Christian TheologyCategory 5: Spiritual vs. Physical Realities 1. Introduction One of the most profound and debated paradoxes in Christian theology is the simultaneous reality that believers are declared righteous in Christ yet still wrestle with sin. Martin Luther captured this tension with the Latin…

Divine Paradoxes: Resolving Seeming Contradictions in Christian TheologyCategory 5: Spiritual vs. Physical Realities 1. Introduction The Church of Jesus Christ is described in Scripture both as a local, visible gathering of believers and as a universal, invisible body encompassing all the redeemed throughout history. This dual reality presents a paradox:…