Was Jesus working when He healed on the Sabbath? If you travel to Israel today you may notice that some of the major hotels will have “Sabbath day elevators.” On the Sabbath, these elevators, which are clearly marked so that non-Jews might avoid them, stop at every floor. This accommodates those who believe that pushing a button would constitute “work.” In June 2008, I was in Jerusalem on a Friday night. It was around 9:00 pm. A friend of mine... Read more
This post is a review of the book Israelism and the Place of Christ: Steven Paas (Ed.), Israelism and the Place of Christ: Christocentric Interpretation of Biblical Prophecy, (Beiträge zum Verstehen der Bibel), Zürich: LIT Verlag 2018.Steven Paas (red.), Het Israëlisme en de plaats van Christus: Christocentrische interpretatie van Bijbelse profetie, Utrecht/ Soest: Boekencentrum & Boekscout, november 2017. This collection of essays, published in English and in Dutch, includes such notable contributers as G. K. Beale, Colin Chapman, and O. Palmer Robertson. The... Read more
I was at a conference recently with several thousand church planters—mostly from evangelical backgrounds—when during one of the breakout sessions the speaker suggested that if he were to ask those in attendance “what is the gospel?” he would likely get a hundred different answers from the hundred people that were in the room. I was, in one sense, flabergasted, and in another, grieved.I was both flabergasted and grieved by the fact that the church has become so shallow that a... Read more
Some of the very churches who adamantly restrict women from being pastors and teachers in the Church based on 1 Tim 2, have men in these positions who are not qualified based on the fact that they lack the education necessary to protect the flock from the deceptions of the devil. I thought I would take on another easy question: ‘What about women in ministry?’ Admittedly, the question is multi-faceted and the issues are complex. (I recognize for some that... Read more
I kinda chuckle at the title of this blog. I know that for many guns are a big deal in America. I am not here to address the US—or any nation’s—policy regarding guns. I am not an expert on that issue and don’t ever desire to be. I am, however, well equipped to address the issue of Jesus, the New Testament, and violence. Christians are not to engage in violence At the risk of giving away my conclusion at the... Read more
(This post is written primarily to encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ, alongside whom, I do ministry. It is also intended to help those in the church be a little more cognizant of the struggles faced by those in ministry, with the hope that it might elicit a greater understanding in order that we might better fulfill the charge in Hebrews: “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will... Read more
Giving according to the New Testament is strictly from the heart! But, to say that giving is from the heart is not enough. And it likely lets most of us off the hook way to easily. What does the NT teach about giving? Some of you are likely reading the title and deciding to at least peruse this blog because you want to know what the Bible, and the New Testament (NT) in particular, says about giving so... Read more
The Scriptures are clear that learning precedes obedience. But obedience must following learning. The relationship between doctrines/teaching and obedience is inseparable. Generally speaking, one cannot obey Jesus unless one first knows Jesus; and one cannot do the will of God, unless one knows the will of God. Now, in saying this, I do not deny that there is a problem on both sides of the spectrum. On one side, there is way to much theological debate within the church and... Read more
I don’t have to agree with your views. But I should absolutely defend your right to have them It is sad that I have to hesitate to write a comment on contemporary American politics. But, too many are so entrenched in their views that they have trouble hearing criticism. The Church should be above politics—especially above political parties. We should be willing to acknowledge truth and error regardless of what side of the political spectrum it comes from. We should... Read more
I am writing this article on Sept 20, 2017. If you are reading this article after Sept 23, 2017, then I am right again! The world did not end. I knew it! You can tell me later how smart I am! In case you are not aware, the latest date for the end of the world is/was Sept 23, 2017. On this date there will be an alignment of the sun, moon, and certain stars that have led some to... Read more
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