In chapter three of Hebrews the pastor/author is exhorting the congregation to stand firm and to grow in the gospel. In chapter four he shifts and discusses the promise of rest to the people of God [1]. Throughout scripture we read of “rest” and is closely associated with the rest that God took on the Sabbath after creation was complete. The rest spoken of in Hebrews four is that of rest after this life is over. In other words it... Read more
The current theological landscape is one that has its roots in the 19th century. In an attempt to discover what Jesus taught and experienced, theologians began to use methods that were only historical in nature. An emphasis was placed on the historical and cultural context in which Christ lived. Though this has its place, who Jesus was started to get lost in the shuffle. Theologians began to come to conclusions about the person of Christ that were contrary to established Christian... Read more
Pastor Jon Stallings joins us for our debut episode. He is copastor of Life Church in Conyers, GA. In this episode Pastor Jon discusses how he became a Christian, when he first felt the call to ministry, and some of the highs and lows he has experienced. It is a conversation that will build up your faith and perhaps help you answer the call that God has on your life. Check out Pastor Jon’s website at www.jonstallings.com About Pastor Jon... Read more
As we get older, we look back on things we have done with a sense of awe, accomplishment, and in some cases horror. This is because life is a learning process that starts from the time we are born. We learn to walk, speak, ride a bike, and later in life we teach others to do the same. Discipleship is similar in this regard. In Discipleship we start with our birth which is making Christ our savior, we learn to... Read more
Martin Luther is a name that all Christians have heard, but most take the name for granted. They know him as the leader of the Protestant Reformation, and rightfully so as his theological endeavors led to a split from the Catholic Church. Though this was a sad time in history, Luther was a brilliant theologian and he blessed Christendom with many theological insights. One such insight into the cross of Christ, and to Luther authentic Christian theology was included the... Read more
Ezekiel was a younger contemporary of Jeremiah, lived through the last days of Judah and the early days of the Exile in Babylon. He was widely opposed to the political and religious environment of His day, and wished that the Israelites would return to YHWH centered spirituality. Warning Of Ezekiel There are many oracles throughout the Ezekiel. In chapters 1-11 we see the initial commissioning and first visions of Ezekiel. He sees a cloud like fire coming from the north. ... Read more
The Apostle Thomas is someone who brings up mixed emotions among Christians. There are even non-believers who have heard of him. Thomas was not among the other disciples when Christ appeared to them , and as a result Thomas said that unless he puts his fingers into his side he will not believe (Radmacher, page 762). This one statement would define Thomas for all of history, and give him the moniker of “Doubting Thomas.” Apostle Thomas In Scripture Is there... Read more
Every Sunday in the creed we declare that Jesus is our Lord, but what does that mean? What implications does that have on our lives? In the Gospels Jesus tells us to love our neighbor (Mark 12:31), love God (Matthew 22:37), and show mercy (John 8:11). How do his words correlate to his deeds, and what does that mean for us as his followers? This post will take a deeper look at the scriptures referenced to illustrate how the words... Read more
When the Gospels are read we read about Jesus healing the sick, showing mercy, forgiving sins, and caring for the poor. These are all great things, and they should be emulated. However, within the confines of our western way of thinking we may miss things in the Gospel accounts that will help us get a better understanding. In 2005, Warren Carter wrote an article in the World & World Journal that shows the teachings of Jesus on relation to the Roman Empire... Read more
Jeremiah is key book in the Old Testament. Jeremiah was a major prophet because we know a great deal about his background (See Jer. 1). The book that bears his name is the longest in the Hebrew Bible and deals with many key themes that influence the course of the Israelites. His prophetic ministry spans the course of four kings, the invasion of Babylon, and subsequent exile to Egypt. Jeremiah is also known as the weeping prophet because his warnings... Read more
