About Judah Lamb
Dr. Judah Lamb (M.Div., Ph.D.) wasn't destined for the dusty halls of academia. After finishing his doctorate in Theology in 2017, he traded intricate footnoting for a storyteller's pen.
He recognized, as many theologians do, that true faith is often best understood through story.
Inspired by authors like C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Frank Peretti, Judah sought to combine his years of ministry and theological study with the captivating world of Christian suspense, thrillers, and fantasy. The result? Novels that are not just thrilling but thought-provoking. Judah weaves his deep understanding of faith and the human condition into gripping stories that explore the battle between good and evil. He also writes a series of devotional works, informed and academic in substance but easily accessible to the common Christian without a a high-level theology education. Prepare to be surprised, challenged, and left breathless by his unique blend of action, suspense, and inspiration.
What do I believe?
This section outlines the core tenets of my faith, embracing the foundational truths and historical doctrines of the Christian tradition, as reflected in the Ecumenical Creeds and the authoritative teachings of the Church. These beliefs, rooted in the inspired Scriptures and Apostolic Tradition, serve as the bedrock for my work and life.
I. The Nature of God
One God in Three Persons: I believe in one living and true God, eternally existing in three co-equal Persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14). This triune God is infinite, eternal, unchangeable, and perfect in power, wisdom, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth (Psalm 90:2; Malachi 3:6).
The Creator and Sustainer: God is the Almighty Maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible (Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:16). He upholds and governs all creation according to His sovereign will and providence (Psalm 103:19; Acts 17:28; Hebrews 1:3)
II. Jesus Christ, The Son of God
True God and True Man: I believe in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. He is fully God and fully man (John 1:1, 14; Colossians 2:9), conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:35; Galatians 4:4).
Atonement and Resurrection: He lived a perfect life, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried, as a sacrifice for the sins of the world (Romans 5:8; 1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 9:28). On the third day, He rose bodily from the dead, conquering sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 6:9).
Ascension and Reign: He ascended into heaven and is now seated at the right hand of the Father, where He reigns as Lord and mediates for His people (Acts 1:9-11; Hebrews 7:25; Ephesians 1:20-22).
III. The Holy Spirit
The Giver of Life: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son (John 15:26).
Presence and Power: He is sent to dwell in believers, convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8), and equipping all believers for life and service (Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Acts 2:38).
IV. The Holy Scriptures and Sacred Tradition
The Deposit of Faith: I believe that the one sacred deposit of faith has been entrusted to the Church and is transmitted in two ways: through Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. These two modes are closely bound and communicate with one another (2 Thessalonians 2:15).
The Word of God, Inspired and Inerrant: The Holy Scriptures are the unique, divinely inspired, and inerrant written Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21), contained in the inspired books of the Old and New Testaments.
The Full Canon: The full Scriptural canon includes the books of the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Deuterocanon (often referred to as the Apocrypha). These books were included in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures widely used by the Apostles, and have been recognized as canonical by the Church since the earliest centuries for their value in establishing doctrine and providing moral instruction.
The Living Transmission of Faith: Sacred Tradition is the spoken Word passed on by the Apostles to the Christians throughout history, ensuring that the entirety of the Gospel is faithfully preserved and handed on to all generations. The Holy Scriptures were historically received within the deposit of faith through the consensus of the Church, and the Scriptures likewise exhort obedience to the spoken word/Apostolic tradition (2 Thess. 2:15). Thus, the unity of both Scripture and Tradition must be affirmed, since each is testified to and affirmed by the other. Thus, I believe "Sola Scripture" is a sixteenth century innovation that is self-defeating, since it is not affirmed by Scripture itself and because it is through the affirmation of the Church according to Apostolic tradition that the books of the New Testament were affirmed, and the books of the Old Testament were likewise received.
Sacred Tradition vs. Human Traditions: Sacred Tradition is the living, unchangeable transmission of the Gospel (the spoken Word passed on by the Apostles) which flows from God Himself. This must be distinguished from the traditions of men (or particular traditions), which are changeable, humanly-devised customs and disciplines created to help express and live out the faith (Mark 7:8-9; Colossians 2:8).
V. The Ecumenical Councils
I affirm the doctrinal authority and binding nature of the teachings established by the Ecumenical Councils, which have defined the core Christological and Trinitarian doctrines essential to the historic faith. These include, but are not limited to, the seven early councils:
First Council of Nicaea (325)
First Council of Constantinople (381)
Council of Ephesus (431)
Council of Chalcedon (451)
Second Council of Constantinople (553)
Third Council of Constantinople (680–681)
Second Council of Nicaea (787)
VI. Humanity and Salvation
The Human Condition: I believe that all humanity is created in the image of God but, through disobedience, fell into sin (Genesis 1:27; Romans 3:23; Psalm 51:5). As a result, all people are inherently sinful, separated from God, and stand in need of redemption.
Salvation Through Living Faith: Salvation is a gift of God's grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). This saving faith is not merely intellectual knowledge (James 2:19), but a living faithfulness that trusts and is conformed to Christ in love (Galatians 5:6). It requires taking up one's cross and following Him in obedient discipleship (Luke 9:23; Matthew 16:24-26; 1 John 2:3-6).
VII. The Church and the Communion of Saints
One Holy, Universal Body: I believe in one holy, universal (Catholic), and apostolic Church, composed of all who are united to Christ through faith (Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13). All who are baptized into Christ are truly incorporated into His body (Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 12:27) and become partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).
Pillar of Truth: The Church is the pillar and bulwark of truth (1 Timothy 3:15), established by Christ with the promise that the gates of Hades will not prevail against it, ensuring its protection from error in matters of faith (Matthew 16:18).
The Communion of Saints: The Church is properly understood as the unity of all believers: those on earth and those who have completed their course of faith in heaven. Because death has no hold on the body of Christ (Romans 8:38-39; Revelation 14:13), those who have gone ahead of us remain united to us and continue to pray for us on earth (Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4).
Mission: The Church is called to observe the sacred rites/sacraments of Baptism and Communion (the Lord's Supper) and to proclaim the Gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
VIII. The End of All Things
Christ's Return: I believe in the blessed hope: the personal, visible, and triumphant return of Jesus Christ to earth (Acts 1:11; Revelation 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
Resurrection and Judgment: There will be a resurrection of the dead and a final judgment (John 5:28-29; 2 Corinthians 5:10). The righteous will receive eternal life and glory, and the unrighteous will receive just condemnation (Matthew 25:31-46). I look forward to the resurrection of the body and the life of the world to come.