I've been teaching weekly through Paul's Letters from Prison. Presently, we're in Paul's letter to the Ephesians believers. To give some context into what the believers in Ephesus were up against you need to read Acts 19 which recounts Paul's two-year stay in Ephesus. First, Ephesus was the capital of the Roman province of Asia … Continue reading Ancient Cancel Culture….and Why It Failed.
The Holidays and the Empty Chair
I returned to my office recently and found a magazine sitting on my desk opened to an article about a man who had lost his 20-year-old son. Our son was 19 when we lost him. There were a number of statements I highlighted. But, the man's closing words said this: "What we've found hardest are … Continue reading The Holidays and the Empty Chair
You are God’s Work of Art!
When we look in the mirror, most of us don't identify with Mac Davis' classic, "Lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect way." 🙂 On the contrary, we see the "real" us. Full of flaws, defects, etc. Here's what the Bible says: you are God's masterpiece! Check out this out... I n the … Continue reading You are God’s Work of Art!
“Jesus is Not Enough”
"Jesus is not enough." That's what we're saying when we buy into the lie that salvation is not "by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone." (cf. Eph. 2:8-9; Romans 10:9; John 3:16; Galatians 3:1-14) Working our way to heaven... what a miserable life. Never knowing if we're "good enough", if we've "done enough." … Continue reading “Jesus is Not Enough”
The Hubris of Some Scientists
The hubris of some Scientists. Notice I did not say “the hubris of science”, but "scientists.” Also, note that I said, "some scientists." Because there are a host of scholars within the scientific disciplines who have professed their faith in Christ. (For one solid resource for finding scientists who have placed their faith in Christ, … Continue reading The Hubris of Some Scientists
Is the Christian faith compatible with Science?
Is the Christian faith compatible with Science? 100%. There is no conflict between faith & science. “It’s not science that squeezes God out of the equation. Rather, it’s philosophy that squeezes God out of the equation.” “‘There is no God’ is never a scientific claim, but rather a philosophical claim.” Never allow yourself to be … Continue reading Is the Christian faith compatible with Science?
When the Devil Interferes
"The governor invited Barnabas and Saul to visit him, for he wanted to hear the word of God. But Elymas, the sorcerer, interfered and urged the governor to pay no attention to what Barnabas and Saul said. He was trying to keep the governor from believing." Acts 13:7-8 Satan is not only an opportunist (cf. … Continue reading When the Devil Interferes
There is Good Reason to Believe in God
In Acts 14, we find Paul in Lystra in the region of Galatia (modern Turkey). Luke records Paul’s words to his listeners: “In the past, [God] permitted all the nations to go their own way, but he never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness…” - 14:17 “He’s never left us without evidence … Continue reading There is Good Reason to Believe in God
Faith, Depression, and Abraham Lincoln
From Joshua Wolf Shenk's, "Lincoln's Melancholy: How Depression Challenged a President and Fueled His Greatness." William James (1842-1910) was one of the leading thinkers of the late nineteenth century and is believed by many to be one of the most influential philosophers the United States has ever produced, while others have labelled him the "Father … Continue reading Faith, Depression, and Abraham Lincoln
Shifting the Paradigm
When I teach and/or preach, I always learn something new as I read, study, and prepare. Recently, I preached/taught from James' letter (located toward the end of the New Testament.) The overriding message of James' letter to Christians is that "actions speak louder than words." He makes it clear that good works aren't required for … Continue reading Shifting the Paradigm