“Jesus of Nazareth is easily the dominant figure in history…the historian disregarding the theological significance of his life, writes the name of Jesus of Nazareth at the top of the list of the world’s greatest characters.” ~ H. G. Wells Few can say that they have never heard of Jesus Christ. In a 2010 TIME…
“Love is patient. Love is kind” (1 Corinthians 13:4). The first three verses of 1 Corinthians 13focus on the emptiness produced when love is absent. In verses 4-5, we find the most comprehensive biblical description of the fullness of love. Paul shines love through a prism, and we see fifteen of its colors and hues – the spectrum of…
The word “church” (including its plural form, “churches”) appears over 100 times in the New Testament, and is always a translation of the Greek word, ekklesia. Ekklesia was a compound word, combining the preposition ek (out) with the verb kaleo (to call); hence, our frequently cited definition, “the called out.” Interestingly, however, a first century…
Who was the first Patriarch? Three times out of four, when I ask this question, what name is given in answer do you suppose? Just now, were you thinking “Abraham?” Or were you thinking “Adam?” The reason Abraham comes to mind is easily seen because of his significant role not only as a patriarch, but…
On June 26, 2015, the United States Supreme Court ruled that laws prohibiting the union of same-sex couples were un-Constitutional. Justice Anthony Kennedy, the author of the majority opinion in the case of Obergerfell v. Hodges, tucked this caveat into the ruling, “Many who deem same-sex marriage to be wrong reach that conclusion based on…
Trauma is part of the human experience. We all endure some degree of unpleasantness, and we may even live through some of the same bad experiences. Interestingly, a shared event might destroy one person and leave another completely unmoved…while maybe strengthening someone else beyond imagination. Sometimes, how a thing affects you depends on your outlook. …
When we reach the summit of Hebrews, the author’s proof of the New Covenant’s superiority dismisses all potential debate with his moving conclusion, “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem” (12:22). In this soaring language, we see the magnificent position to which Christians have…
In Philippians 2:14 we read, “Do all things without complaining and disputing.” No action is left out of the purview of this command. All things are to be done without grumbling or arguing. However, complaining appears to be one of our favorite activities. As the weather turns from winter to spring we rotate our complaints…
Less than two months had passed since Jesus was crucified. He had risen from the grave on the third day after His death. Then during the next forty days, He presented Himself alive to His apostles by many infallible proofs, and on one occasion He was seen by over five hundred brethren before He ascended…
It seems to be human nature to emphasize and think highly of large numbers of people, in particular as it relates to churches. After all, if such a large number of people believe or do something, it must be a good thing. Right? Actually, not really. Nowhere is this more important than in religion. Unfortunately…