Among those who care about such things there is a debate as to the veracity of the story of Job. Succinctly, was Job a real person or is the book about him a work of fiction? Supporting evidence that Job wasn’t a real person: Supporting evidence that Job was a real person: So was Job […]
Protection From the Evil One To the Thessalonians Paul writes that God will strengthen and protect them from the evil one. He will give them protection from evil. This excites and comforts me, because I want to be protected. But that’s only half the of the promise. The other part is that we will be […]
Which Part of the Trinity Most Receives Your Attention? The Bible talks about God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We intellectually know that these three parts of the Trinity exist, but what is the reality of our spiritual practice? Most Christians prefer one part of the godhead over the other. […]
The website of this large church boasts that we’ll find “a warm and friendly group of people.” If you must claim you’re friendly, you might not be; they might be not welcoming. Experience tells me they may try but will fall short. Consider these seven discussion questions about Church 58. 1. Always anxious before visiting […]
Earlier I wondered if Job was real person or a fictional character. Despite support for both perspectives, my conclusion was that it doesn’t really matter. We can learn from him regardless if his life is a fictitious or historical account. Another debated question, which is without definitive answer, is when was Job written? While some say […]
Paul and Barnabas Respond to Hostile Nonbelievers with Boldness and Perseverance In the Old Testament, the Israelites, God’s chosen people, are a set apart nation. They are to keep separate from the other nations around them and if they will, God promises to bless them. They also look forward to a promised king who will […]
Believe in Jesus and Receive the Holy Spirit Jesus said, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe” (John 4:48, NIV). It’s a warning we should all consider with care. Some people have an experience-driven faith. They need a continual dose of signs and wonders to sustain their trust in God. What […]
Celebrate Christmas in a fresh, new way with this Advent devotional It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of Christmas and miss its true meaning. Why not make this holiday season a special time for preparation to reflect on the Messiah’s birth? In The Advent of Jesus: A Devotional Celebrating the Coming Savior, […]
Today, we head to one of the area’s larger churches. In the past, they had a visible presence, but I’ve not heard much about them recently. Their website boasts that we’ll find “a warm and friendly group of people.” I bristle. It’s like telling someone you’re humble or you’re honest: if you have to say […]
Helping Others Is One of Many Ways to Worship God I like the stories about Jesus helping people in need, such as by feeding them and especially by healing them. Even more I like it when Jesus confronts the religious practices of the day. We have so much to learn from his example. It’s a […]