I’m currently reading Thomas Aquinas’ ’Shorter Summa’ which is his own concise version of his tome, ‘Summa Theologica.’ Aquinas was a brilliant 13th century theologian. He writes incisively: “To restore man, who had been laid low by sin, to the heights of divine glory, the Word of the eternal Father, though containing all things within … Continue reading God’s Relentless Love According to Thomas Aquinas
Gospel of John
When We Look More Like Pharisees Than Jesus
A Brief Biblical Principle from our lesson on John 8:1-11: NOTE: I am well aware of the debate as to whether or not this particular passage was in the autographs/originals when written by the hand of John. I did cover this topic at length in class. I will address it in a blog later on. … Continue reading When We Look More Like Pharisees Than Jesus
When Christian Faith is Bullied
A Brief Biblical Principle from our lesson on John 7:35-51: John 7:45-47 tells us… 45 Then the officers returned to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why didn’t you bring him back with you?” 46 The officers replied, “No one ever spoke like this man!” 47 Then the Pharisees answered, “You haven’t been deceived too, … Continue reading When Christian Faith is Bullied
Living According to God’s Timetable
A Brief Biblical Principle from our lesson on John 7:1-24: In chapter 7, as all Jews were preparing to attend the Festival of Shelters in Jerusalem, Jesus informed his brothers he was not going to Jerusalem with them. They countered, quite strongly, that he should not only go with them, but also put his miracles … Continue reading Living According to God’s Timetable
Jesus’ Bloodiest Sermon
A Brief Biblical Principle from our lesson on John 6:60-71: Following Jesus’ “Bloodiest Sermon”, he offers an invitation to appropriate his message to embrace him not merely as a good teacher or miracle worker, but as Messiah, Lord and Savior. Far from the responses we’ve witnessed at a Billy Graham Crusade, John records: “From this … Continue reading Jesus’ Bloodiest Sermon
I AM. Trust me.
A Brief Biblical Principle from our class on John 6:1-59: In John 6:16-24, we find the familiar passage recounting Jesus walking on the surface of the Sea of Galilee. John doesn’t mince words as he describes the reaction of the tough, weathered fishermen: “they were terrified.” Jesus comforts the disciples by assuring them, “It is … Continue reading I AM. Trust me.
Nothing Is Impossible With God
One principle from our lesson on John 5: Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” – John 5:8 Brief context: Jesus is in Jerusalem and sees a number of people lame, blind and otherwise ill and incapacitated. He walks up to one man who, the scriptures tell us, had been … Continue reading Nothing Is Impossible With God