There is an interesting trend in Christianity that far too many preachers refuse to acknowledge – liberal churches are producing agnostics and future generations will not saved at all. According to sociological research conducted by Roger Finke and Rodney Stark (The Churching of America, 2005), church strength can be gauged using three propositions: 1) The … Continue reading The Cycle of Secularization
Our bodies are animated clumps of dead flesh. The second we are conceived we begin the dying process. However, the spirit within us which is also dead can be made alive through salvation in Jesus Christ (Romans 8:10-11). This is the very concept that we find in John 3:5 when Jesus says "Except a man … Continue reading Dead at Birth
“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” Genesis 50:20 This verse is Joseph speaking to his brothers after the death of Jacob. He was sold into slavery, falsely accused of rape, and thrown … Continue reading Working Together for Good
“And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” Genesis 41:16 Oftentimes when I am given a compliment, I struggle with taking it well. It usually catches me off guard in the first please because I feel I am just doing what I’m supposed to … Continue reading Giving God the Glory
There appears to be growing tension between two factions of Baptists that are increasingly at odds with one another. Neither side really accepts a label, and these labels are problematic. For the sake of clarity, they might be called Independent Fundamental (conservative) and New or Neo-Independent Baptists (more liberal). I have personal relationships with good … Continue reading A Letter to my Baptist Brothers
“And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.”Genesis 18:32 This passage fascinates me because It appears we can negotiate with God, as Abraham negotiated from finding 50 down … Continue reading Negotiating with God
Behemoth and Leviathan are beasts that are often used by “young earth” creationists (those who reject the Gap and believe that the universe and all that is in it were created about 6,000 years ago) to argue that there are dinosaurs in the Bible. By showing that dinosaurs existed alongside man, they attempt to refute … Continue reading Is Behemoth a Dinosaur?
“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”James 1:8 This is true in so many ways. Indecisiveness about simple things like what to wear to work or what to eat for dinner can be problematic. This might lead to issues making larger decisions regarding what church to attend or how to deal with … Continue reading The Problem of Double-Mindedness
"And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail." Hebrews 1:12 This verse is talking about the universe, including the heavens and earth (verse 10). God wears the universe like clothing (a vesture), and He will change them and … Continue reading He Wears the Universe
“Abstain from all appearance of evil.”1 Thessalonians 5:22 This is a tough verse for me. First, it is not talking about abstaining from evil, which is difficult enough, but from the very appearance of evil. This can be quite subjective as well. What we call “cussing” is socially constructed (outside of taking the Lord’s name … Continue reading The Appearance of Evil
