No, Leviticus 8:22-24 & 14:14, and Ephesians 6:11 do not directly apply to Donald Trump and his assassination attempt. Social media is ablaze with people posting what they interpret as freaky parallels between the passages cited above and Trump’s survival after the recent assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania on July 13th. It’s curious, … Continue reading The Danger of Force-Fitting Scripture into Current Events
Biblical literacy
What if God Took the Bible Away?
What if God said, “You have no interest in what I have to say? Think you know better than I do? Have it your way. Let’s see how that works out for you.” That’s what happened in the days of the prophet, Amos. And it could well happen now. We’ve all won the lottery where … Continue reading What if God Took the Bible Away?
Advice from a Demon
I place C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters, published in 1942, in my personal Top 5 Books list. My copy is well-worn. Recently in my class, as we talked about Paul's emphasis on our spiritual growth in Ephesians 4, and Satan's hope that we will remain "spiritual infants," I cited The Screwtape Letters. That excerpt I … Continue reading Advice from a Demon
The Deconstruction of the Christian Faith
Preface The topic about which I'm writing is actually nothing new, certainly not unique to modern times. Jesus, himself, told his disciples two millennia ago, "I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith." I try to always document and cite quotes. Some quotes used here were gathered almost nine years … Continue reading The Deconstruction of the Christian Faith
The Width and Depth of Scripture
Recently, I was humbled by the story of Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee. I was humbled for the following reason: I've read the Bible through, cover to cover, many times. In various translations. Additionally, I've "camped out" in particular books and/or passages for months at a time. Finally, I've carefully studied … Continue reading The Width and Depth of Scripture
Why I Don’t Read the Bible Through in One Year
This entry is in no way intended to minimize the conviction of those who love to read the Bible through in a year. What follows is simply an alternative to that method - one that has worked best for me. I am a slow reader and have always had difficulty with reading comprehension. As a … Continue reading Why I Don’t Read the Bible Through in One Year
Another Gospel: A Response to Progressive Christianity
I rarely consume a book as quickly as I did this one. Most often, I am reading three or four books at once. But, this one - perhaps because of the current state of North American church culture - was difficult to put down. My copy (as with any book I read) is now annotated … Continue reading Another Gospel: A Response to Progressive Christianity
Why Are There So Many English Bible Translations?
"Why are there so many English Bible translations?" I get asked that from time to time. The answer? So we can read the Bible. (The truth is, since the autographs (originals) of the Bible do not exist, every single Bible that’s ever been printed is, by definition, a translation.) But, it may be surprising that … Continue reading Why Are There So Many English Bible Translations?
What Is the Definition of Christianity?
"What's the definition of Christianity?" Have you ever been asked that question? If not, how would you answer it? How about beginning with letting God answer the question: For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received—that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was … Continue reading What Is the Definition of Christianity?
Jesus Was No Socialist
Mankind has never changed. The pharisees tried to make Jesus fit their agenda. The zealots tried to make Jesus fit their agenda. The Jews tried the same thing. And so on, and so on, and so on. So it is no surprise that socialists are trying to form-fit Jesus to their image. To do so … Continue reading Jesus Was No Socialist