During antiquity, calling a man “Lord” usually was intended as no more than a polite address. On the other hand, kings were often addressed as “Lord” to signify their vested authority. Among Jews, rabbis could be called “Lord” to indicate both. The early Jewish Christians’ primary creedal statement was that “Jesus is Lord.” The Apostle Peter preached about it in his first sermon on the day of Pentecost following the Christ event. He proclaimed of Jesus, “let all the house … [Read more...]
What Are the Claims of Christ?
November 21, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Many Christians, especially Evangelicals, speak of “the claims of Christ.” They mean Jesus claimed things about his identity that are recorded in the New Testament (NT) gospels. Most of these people, called “traditionalists,” assert that the greatest claim Jesus ever made about himself was that he was God. But NT evidence reveals that this is their claim, not that of Jesus. Strong traditionalist Brian Hebblethwaite well concedes, “it is no longer possible to defend the divinity of … [Read more...]
Joe Dey (Part 1 of 2)
November 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Joseph C. Dey, Jr., (1907-1991, pronounced “die”) was born in Norfolk, Virginia. He grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana. After graduating with a degree in journalism from the University of Pennsylvania, Joe first worked as a sportswriter in Philadelphia. Then he served as the executive director of the USGA for the next thirty-five years, from 1934 to 1969. During that time, no one in golf had a better reputation for personal integrity and upholding the integrity of the game of golf than did … [Read more...]
Since God Almighty Is Invisible, Jesus Being God Is Impossible
November 14, 2013 By Leave a Comment
The Bible says no sinful, mortal human has ever literally seen God. For example, the Gospel of John says, "No man has seen God at any time" (John 1.18). The Bible further declares that sinful people literally cannot see God and continue to live. Yet most Christians have believed that Jesus was God. How could Jesus have been God if many people saw him and didn’t instantly die? The Bible relates several incidents in which people thought they literally saw God when they really saw “the … [Read more...]
Birthrates in Israel Have Switched
November 12, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Despite what U.S. President Barak Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry have been saying in recent months in order to pressure Israel into solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Israel's birthrates are not going to turn it into an Arab state anytime soon. Boston Globe columnist Jeff Jacoby seems to set forth facts that prove this in his June 26, 2013, Globe article entitled "The myth of the inevitable Jewish minority in Israel." The following are excerpts from this article: "In the … [Read more...]
The Short-lived Association of Professional Golfers
November 11, 2013 By Leave a Comment
The PGA TOUR used to be called the Tournament Players’ Division (TPD). It was a division of the larger Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) of America. The PGA of America is a trade association with a membership of over 12,000 golf club professionals. So, the difference between a PGA Tour professional golfer and a PGA of America golf professional is that the Touring pro makes his living traveling about and competing regularly in golf tournaments conducted by the PGA Tour, whereas the club … [Read more...]
Thomas Said to Christ, “My Lord and My God.” He Meant “God in Christ,” to which We Should Nod
November 7, 2013 By Leave a Comment
When the risen Jesus appeared to his gathered disciples on the first Easter evening, the Apostle Thomas was not present (John 20.19-24). They later told him they had seen Jesus. Thomas said he wouldn't believe it unless he saw Jesus himself (v. 25). One week later the risen Jesus appeared again to his gathered disciples, with Thomas present. Jesus then showed his nail prints to Thomas, spoke to him about his unbelief, and Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God” (John 20.28). Christians … [Read more...]
Israel and the Church: From Heresy to Truth
November 5, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Jews--"He [Jesus] practiced sorcery and enticed Israel to apostasy" (Sanhedrin 43). George Bernard Shaw--"All great truths begin as heresy." Jesus--"The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants" (Matthew 13.31-32 NIV). God--"They made me jealous by what is no god and angered me with their worthless idols. I will make them envious by those who are … [Read more...]
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