ecclesiology, spiritual gifts, theology
He had no military training, and no skill with the elite weapons of war, but when he saw a battle that needed to be won he didn’t hesitate to engage. Against all odds, and armed only with the knowledge of how God had strengthened him before, a sling and a few small...
grace, salvation, theology
It is remarkable how much disagreement persists among otherwise likeminded believers regarding how one is saved. Presently there are three basic views (though even more subtle nuances) on how one receives eternal life: (1) the lordship salvation view, (2) what I call...
diversity, grace, racial issues, salvation
Not too long ago, an African-American man in a small Texas community was accused of sexual assault (rape) of a Caucasian woman. While the community was not especially noted for racial division, there were racial tensions discernible in some of its people, and this...
ecclesiology, Jesus, teachings of, spiritual gifts, theology
With over 40,000 members, Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas is the largest church in the United States. For better or for worse, Lakewood and its leader Joel Osteen are profoundly influential. One significant area of influence is in the realm of spiritual gifts. A...
lists, news, social justice
It is fascinating how our society is sometimes captivated by the judicial process. George Zimmerman’s murder trial illustrates that our nation seems to welcome the opportunity to focus on the plight of an individual or small group of people. Public trials, as...
ecclesiology, spiritual gifts, theology
The great Inigo Montoya once famously said, “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” That line is apropos for many occasions, but it especially fits how we often understand spiritual gifts. Instead of recognizing spiritual gifts as...
ecclesiology, ethics, grace, gratitude, philosophy, politics, theology, worldview
“Man was born free, and he is everywhere in chains.” Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed that people started out inherently good, but through conventions of society they became ensnared (and thus, were in chains). In his view, people are free at first, but enslaved in the...
eschatology, ethics, Jesus, teachings of, politics, social justice, worldview
A long time ago, in a galaxy not far away, Jesus tells a man, “Follow me.” The man responds with hesitation – but for good reason. “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.” Noble request right? Before the man could be totally committed to following Jesus, he...
ethics, Jesus, teachings of, leadership, prayer
Imprecatory is from the Latin imprecari, meaning to invoke or to pray for, and usually has the connotation of invoking or praying for evil or a curse on someone. When the Psalmist asks God to “shatter their teeth in their mouth” (Ps 58:6), or “as wax melts before the...
ecclesiology, ethics, philosophy, politics, worldview
Beginning on March 1, 1692, Sarah Good, of Salem, Massachusetts, was examined on charges of witchcraft. Witnesses would later testify that she had engaged in witchcraft, ridden on brooms and poles, appeared as an apparition and tormented children, and otherwise...
