The fact is, we simply don’t want to change. We like things the way they are. So, we ignore truth. We deny truth. We resist truth. We spend time, money, and great effort to reinforce our convictions as to what truth is. I was recently having dinner in Jerusalem. Our group had just arrived that day from various part of the States. Though many of the people at the table knew each other from previous relationships, I was just getting... Read more
Have you ever experienced giants in the land? A time when jobs weren’t opening up and the bills were piling up. A time when the doctors weren’t giving the diagnosis you wanted to hear. A time when relationships were crumbling and you saw no way out. A time when you learned that your beautiful child was addicted and you couldn’t get through to them. A time when your debt was so great you had no idea how you would ever... Read more
Some are claiming, based on Ps 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance,” that God has chosen Trump to save America.”The context of the Old Testament in general, and this Psalm in particular, shows that the nation addressed here was Israel. The Psalmist was writing to encourage the people of Israel to call upon the Lord so that the promised blessing would come to fruition.... Read more
Do you adults understand what you are doing to our young people? I try to stay out of actual political discussions for one reason: too many people in the Church have convictions that, in my opinion, they hold on too deeply. The result is that when one says something that even appears contrary to their deep-seated convictions one incurs wrath. Not worth it. (unfortunately, I can assure you that many pastors and leaders in the Church feel this way and... Read more
Genesis 24 recounts the story of Abraham sending one of his servants to his father’s household in Haran to find a wife for Isaac. The servant determined that he would put a test to discern what woman the Lord has chosen for Isaac. He would ask for a drink from the well and whichever young woman not only offered him a drink, but also agreed to water his camels would be the one. Many read this and conclude that the... Read more
We are hearing all kinds of rhetoric regarding the potential for God’s curse to be upon our country if the election turns a certain way. This nonsense is radically unbiblical. Let me explain: 1)The nature of God’s blessing is primarily covenantal. Throughout Scripture God makes a covenant (an agreement) with a people. The stipulations of the covenant include blessings or curses. What is essential to understand for our sakes is that the covenant, and its promise of blessings and curses,... Read more
One cannot have heart knowledge without head knowledge. To claim to do so is treacherous I hear it too much—then again for me, hearing it once is too much!—“God is more concerned with doing His Word, than with knowing His word.” This one really bothers me. After all, this thinking is not simply counter to all of Scripture, it is actually quite dangerous. One of the most commonly asserted arguments in defense of the position that we should focus on... Read more
I find it quite interesting that neither Jesus, Paul, nor any other author of the NT addressed Jewish or Roman politics. They didn’t address slavery—there were millions of slaves throughout the empire—nor Roman militarism, nor the many other ills that proliferated throughout the Roman world. Now one can make the argument that Christians in the US have a different role because we live in a democracy. Certainly, living in a democracy carries with it the responsibility to participate in... Read more
The kingdom of God aims to redeem the world and claim it for Him. We do so neither by discarding the world, nor by imposing Christianity on it. “They are not of the world, even as I am not of it” (John 17:16). One of the problems that I see for the Church with regard to politics is the failure to grasp clearly the fundamental distinction that Jesus makes in John 17:16. The Church is in the world, but not... Read more
The politics of Jesus are highly countercultural During this election year I think it is important for you to know who I am voting for. I am voting for (sorry I ran out of ink just then) Okay, I have been thinking about how to address such issues at the Church. I know some of you want to hear more on this topic from me. And I agree that such a discussion is very relevant in the world we live... Read more
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