“My house is on fire! my house is on fire!” a neighbor pleaded with me for help. I, of course, did nothing about it. “It is the blue one on the corner near the . . .” they attempted to continue before I interrupted. “Whoa. Wait a minute. Why are you trying to bring which house it is into this? Am I supposed to believe that your house is any more important than any other house?” “Because my house is... Read more
In part 1, I argued that if all truth points us to Christ, then we should seek the truth at all times. After all, if the aim of the Christian life is to become like Christ (Col 1:28-29), then it is essential that we conform to the truth. There are two major problems with conforming our lives to the truth: The first problem is pride! We don’t want to admit that we are wrong. Paul says in 2nd Thessalonians that... Read more
“What is truth” (John 18:31). Ironically, and perhaps, tragically, Pilate spoke these words to the very Person who could not only answer the question, but Who was Himself the embodiment of Truth! The title of this website is “determinetruth” not because we have determined it, but because we seek to determine it. It is my conviction that if Jesus is indeed the Truth (John 14:6), then it incumbent upon us to seek the truth at all times. After all, all... Read more
It is time for us to pause. To step away from all the rhetoric and listen. If I am only adding to the rhetoric, I am sorry. If I am providing some fresh insights that promote peace and reconciliation, then glory to God. Less than a month ago I published a blog relating to the death of Ahmaud Arbery. I noted, “not long into my tenure there was the killing of an unarmed black man.” I mentioned, “let’s be... Read more
Christians are notorious for pulling out a random Bible verse that “fits” their needs—even though that verse might be contradicted by another. One may cite “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29) While another will cite, “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1). How do we know which Bible verse applies in a given situation? Too often, the answer is, “the one I prefer.” In order to discern which applies it is essential to... Read more
A helpful guide to reading our Bibles more effectively! When was the last time you heard a sermon, or read a book, in which you thought, “well, I don’t like it, but the pastor, or author, is right?” I remember a post from a really good Christian man. Someone I respect. He commented that a major Christian publication was “no longer a credible source.” With one swipe of the hand an entire publication was dismissed; as though nothing good... Read more
A helpful guide to reading our Bibles more effectively! Here are some suggestions that we might want to consider when reading our Bibles (NOTE: these are not absolute: sometimes I may read my Bible and I might be encouraged: sometimes I may read and find hope; sometimes I may read and find strength, comfort, and peace) But, sometimes: If you are reading the Bible and you are feeling convicted, then you might be reading it well. If you are reading... Read more
A number of years ago I had left the academy and become a full-time preaching pastor. I knew that I now had a greater responsibility to not only expound what the Word meant but to help the people apply to their lives. Before, when I was lecturing students, I always sensed a greater obligation to teach the Word in hopes that the students would find the application in their personal lives and in their ministries. Now that I was in... Read more
A helpful guide to reading our Bibles more effectively! “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4). False Teachers I love these verses because they remind me why everyone else will so easily follow false teachers! I am not... Read more
“When He broke the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, “Come.” I looked, and behold, a black horse; and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard something like a voice in the center of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not damage the oil and the wine” (Rev 6:5-6) There is an important backdrop, which I will address shortly, to this text that may... Read more
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