Many people are confused about the Holy Spirit. In this age of spiritism and new age practices, how are we to understand the Holy Spirit? Continue reading
Rev
Is Christianity about rule following? (Romans 7:15-25)
“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” These are the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 7:15. Paul was one of the champions of the grass root first-century church movement. He accomplished more for the church than almost anyone after him and wrote a significant portion of the New Testament. Yet, even the Apostle confessed he did not do what he wanted to. Continue reading
What is the church? (Acts 2:42-27)
As a pastor, numerous people have told me that if they were to walk into our church building, the roof would cave in. I jokingly reply, “It has not caved in on me yet.” Continue reading
What did Jesus do? (Romans 1:1-6)
“If we seek strength, it lies in his dominion; if purity, in his conception; if gentleness, it appears in his birth. For by his birth he was made like us in all respects [Heb 2:17] that he might learn to feel our pain [cf. Heb 5:2]. If we seek redemption, it lies in his passion; if acquittal, in his condemnation; if remission of the curse, in his cross [Gal 3:13]; if satisfaction, in his sacrifice; if purification, in his blood; if reconciliation, in his descent to hell; if mortification of the flesh, in his tomb; if newness of life, in his resurrection; if immortality, in the same; if inheritance of the Heavenly Kingdom, in his entrance into heaven; if protection, if security, if abundant supply of all blessings, in his Kingdom; if untroubled expectation of judgement, in the power given to him to judge.” These are the words of the sixteenth century reformer John Calvin. Continue reading
Why is the world a mess? (Genesis 3:1-7)
The Bible begins with the affirmation that both creation and humanity were created “very good” (Genesis 1:31). In last week’s article we discussed what it meant for humanity to be created good in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27).
If God created humanity and creation good, what happened? Why all this strife, conflict, division, and suffering? Continue reading
Are humans good? (Genesis 1:26-27)
Are human beings generally good or generally evil? How we answer that question affects how we view ourselves, view others, rear our children, and even how governments are formed? Continue reading
Why is the Bible Soo Important? (2 Peter 1:19-21)
Christians are people of the Book. Why is the Bible so important, if God makes himself known to us in many ways? Continue reading
Who Created the Heavens and the Earth? (Genesis 1:1)
The Bible begins with the words, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1).” It is difficult to imagine nothing: no white room, no bright light, just nothing. Whether over seven literal days or through some instantaneous initiatory event, like a big bang, the Bible affirms that God spoke all creation into existence. Every star in the sky, celestial satellite, atom, molecule, tree leaf, and toenail resulted from God’s creative act. Continue reading