Oct 5, 2015 | Christian Living, Psalms, The Bible
Psalm 24 is, in its structure, fairly simple. It has three main parts and they’re very clear in what they say. The opening verses declare that the God of Israel is the creator God. Like Genesis 1, Psalm 24 begins with a strong assertion that God is the creator who...
May 18, 2015 | Christian Living, Church History, Family
Sue and I were on the Island of Patmos years ago, at the Grotto of St. John where, according to tradition, John was given the visions that make up our book of Revelation. You might think that the secluded monastery in that place would be peaceful, but we had to laugh...
May 5, 2015 | Christian Living, The Bible
I once heard a very famous Baptist preacher refer to the Sermon on the Mount as a list of God’s suggestions for our lives. He wasn’t alone. Some commentators, particularly the dispensationalists of previous generations, have argued that Jesus’...
Mar 4, 2015 | 1 & 2 Corinthians, Christian Living, The Bible
If you had asked an ancient Hebrew rabbi to describe to you the central confession of the Israelite religion, he would have responded with the Shema: Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all you heart and with...
Feb 11, 2015 | 1 & 2 Corinthians, Christian Living, Culture
Our culture is especially competitive. At first glance, Paul’s message to the Corinthians seems to reinforce the competitive lifestyle that we have adopted here in the western world: Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives...
