The Difference between Pagan and Christian views of Deity

Last updated on: May 8, 2026 at 8:26 am By Ben Witherington

In a dramatic and important passage in 1 Kings 19, after Elijah has triumphed over the prophets of Baal, the pagan fertility and storm god, we hear this— 11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the... Read more

The Element of Surprise–Leading to Creativity

Last updated on: May 5, 2026 at 12:35 pm By Ben Witherington

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Sting: “Without uncertainty there is nothing worth doing. You need to put yourself in a slightly uncomfortable position in order to produce something new. I’m looking for novelty, I’m look for surprise. That is the essence of art. Without uncertainty there is no art.” For the Christian artist there is more interest in discovering what is true, rather than just what is new, but one has to bear in mind the One who said ‘Behold, I make all things new’. ... Read more

The Dogwood Tree

Last updated on: April 29, 2026 at 9:43 am By Ben Witherington

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THE DOGWOOD TREE Jesus died on a dogwood tree He hung his head and died There were no blooms on that sad day Though Lord knows that tree tried But only three days passed Before the Son arose, And celebrating that event Blood red blossoms rows on rows Perhaps you’ve noticed the blossoms’ shape The same as that holy cross Death transformed by resurrection Beauty without loss There are parables in these trees If only... Read more

Lanier Library in North Houston

Last updated on: April 25, 2026 at 8:38 am By Ben Witherington

Mark Lanier, both a major lawyer on the national scene, most recently taking on Mark Zuckerberg, and a devout Christian who has hundreds in his Sunday school class (they do things bigger in Texas), has built a world class library, the Lanier Library, in the setting of a re-creation of a small British village, complete with a Stone Chapel, a Great Hall, residences, and a pub (minus the alcohol. Mark is a Baptist). The whole place is amazing and well... Read more

An Interesting Easter Sermon

Last updated on: April 22, 2026 at 8:29 pm By Ben Witherington

Terrorist Meets the Lord

Last updated on: April 14, 2026 at 8:20 pm By Ben Witherington

Handel’s Messiah and Mr. Wesley

Last updated on: January 16, 2026 at 9:18 am By Ben Witherington

Handel’s Messiah— the Story behind the Classic By Ben Witherington Without question, one of the most famous pieces of music ever written or performed is Handel’s Messiah. Note that the title of this work is not ‘The Messiah’, but simply Messiah. Above you will see one of the more flattering portraits of Handel. Handel was a German born in Halle in 1685. When he was old enough, because he wanted to compose opera, he moved to Italy at the... Read more

The Treatise of the Tree

Last updated on: April 3, 2026 at 5:35 pm By Ben Witherington

THE TREATISE OF THE TREE Jesus died on a dogwood tree He hung his head and died There were no blooms on that sad day Though Lord knows that tree tried But only three days passed Before the Son arose, And celebrating that event Pink blossoms rows on rows Perhaps you’ve noticed the blossoms’ shape The same as that holy cross Death transformed by resurrection Beauty without loss There are parables in these trees If only we... Read more

The Hail Mary Project

Last updated on: March 29, 2026 at 1:54 pm By Ben Witherington

While there have been many good sci-fi movies in the course of the last 50 years or so, and lots of spin off TV series as well, it is a difficult task to come up with a really original script and plot line for such a movie. Somehow, some way, the Hail Mary Project has managed it, and produced a movie the whole family can and should see, full of pathos, and thrills, and scratching the itch we seem to... Read more

Jesus preaches the Sermon on the Mount

Last updated on: March 28, 2026 at 5:44 am By Ben Witherington

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