Very often this dynamic is flipped to satisfy the individual’s personal desires. Sometimes various groups will focus on experience and feelings over objective truth. We should certainly desire a religion that we can feel. Yet, a religion that is not built on theology proper, the work of Christ, and Biblical principles will soon leave us…
Category: Blog
Lessons from Nebuchadnezzar
In the 4th chapter of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar is struck down by God for claiming glory that did not belong to him. Nebuchadnezzar’s final confession praised God, debased humanity, and lifted up God as ultimately sovereign over all things (Daniel 4:34-35). Two lessons should be gleaned from this experience. 1) God does not need your permission…
Welcoming and Inclusive are not Synonyms
Churches should strive to be both but can often miss the mark in one area without knowing it. Welcoming is simply understood as giving a welcome. Think of the traditional church usher as being a good word picture for how welcoming typically looks. A smiling face and a hand to shake. Yet, inclusion goes past…
Our Christianity should be an “on purpose” habit
Originally written December 5, 2018 Paul had a manner (Acts 17:2). Simply stated, Paul had an evangelistic habit that he typically performed when he went into a new town. As Paul traveled, his general plan was to first visit the synagogues and preach to the Jews from the Old Testament. He then would use this…
John Gill on the Johannine Comma
One of the more crucial passages at the core of the debate over which family of manuscripts should be the basis for any Bible translation in any language is 1 John 5:7, also called the Johannine Comma. While it’s true that the passage is absent from the two older, Alexandrian manuscripts (dating to the 4th…
Thoughts on Conversion, by Mike Ivey
By Mike Ivey In most instances, a Bible student’s understanding of conversion falls into one of two categories. Some believe conversion relates exclusively to the new birth; that in all cases conversion is an immediate and exclusive effect of regeneration. Others believe it has a number of facets or principles including conversion in the new…
Disciples after God’s Own Heart
“And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will.” – Acts 13:22 In the midst of Paul’s sermon here in Acts…
What Is Your Identity?
“Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?” – John 21:20 The Apostle John introduces himself in a curious way quite a few times in his gospel, as “the disciple whom Jesus loved”. This might sound,…
Stability in Thy Times
“And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his treasure.” (Isaiah 33:6) This world has been in a perpetual state of chaos and turmoil since the sin of Adam cursed this world and all its inhabitants. How then can we have any real…