Various

Loving the church

The following are a few thoughts I wrote down in a question and answer format. It is not intended to give a full answer, but to get the conversation started. Why is it important to talk about loving the church? In my opinion, there are three main reasons why it is important to remind people [...]


Numbers 3, Redemption, Substitution, Christ

The book of Number is called by that name for very good reason – numbers are all over the place. Even a cursory glance will show this point. In chapter three there is a continuation of numbering, but this time all the firstborn of Israel are numbered. That number, according to Numbers 3:42 was 22,273. [...]


What is the Bible in less than 500 words?

The authorship of the Bible is varied and debated. In light of this, one should not be bent out of shape if there are lingering questions on authorship. The Bible is broken up into two sections: the Old Testament (thirty-nine books) and the New Testament (twenty-seven books). The Old Testament can be divided up into [...]


Discerning God’s Will

How does one discern God’s will? By asking this question, I know that I am opening up a can of worms that I probably should not, especially if I am not going to give a decently full answer. However, there is a simple point that needs to be made. Often times we are not able [...]


Power of Generosity

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2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope [...]


2 Corinthians 6:1-13 “Importance of Endurance”

In this section of 2 Corinthians, Paul states that he has not been a burden on the Corinthian church. He went out of his way not to impose upon the Corinthians. Presumably he is referring to the fact that he did not take financial support from the church. Paul preached, labored, and served the Corinthians [...]


How to find a church

This is a difficult question to answer, because in the end you have to go with your convictions after reflection and prayer. But with that said, the Bible has certain principles for making decisions that may help you in this area. More importantly, when we look at the Bible for guidance, the logic of the [...]


What is TULIP?

TULIP is the theology that emerges from Calvinism. It basically refers to the plan of salvation. T = Total Depravity. The theological idea of total depravity basically refers to the sinfulness of man. According to this framework, humans are “dead” to the things of God. As Ephesians 2:1 states, “You were dead in your sins [...]


Unity and Missions

There is a feeling in many quarters of the church that the church is too inward. The rhetoric states that what is really important is to be in the world and that we need to get out. After all does not Jesus call his church to be a witness, to be in mission, and to [...]


Community and Moral Witness

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One of the best books that I have read in the last decade and recently reread is Wayne Meeks’ book, The Origins of Christian Morality: The First Two Centuries. Wayne Meeks is professor emeritus of Yale University. This book, as the title suggests, examines the moral world of the early Christians. More specifically, it seeks [...]


A Challenge to Comfort – Worshipping Together

It is a truism that people feel most comfortable with people who are like them. So, when people look for a church they usually seek comfort unwittingly; we can say that the default mode of the human heart is comfort. For this reason, things will not change unless there is intentionality and great effort. Who [...]


2 Peter 3:3-18 – Patience and Salvation

Patience and salvation are interwoven in this passage. Peter reminds his readers that the tarrying of the Lord is not due to a failure in the promises of God. In other words, God is not unfaithful or slow; he is just patient. Peter makes this point extremely clear. “But do not let this one fact [...]


Theology of Community

1. Hospitality and Community John 3 In many ways, this letter is about the importance of hospitality. There is a positive and negative example. John praises Gaius for his love for the brothers (probably itinerant teachers), whom he has taken into his own house. In turn these brothers have shared with John the love they [...]


Tearing Down and Building Up

Sometimes self-evident maxims are forgotten and hence need to be brought to people’s attention again. One of these truths is the fact that it is much harder to build than to tear down.  We can say that it is infinitely more difficult to give life than to cause death. Building takes expertise, hard work, perseverance, [...]


Theology of Christian Community

Christian Community 1. Does Christ call us into community? We can be certain that Christ calls his people into community. One of the most explicit examples of this point is when Jesus says that the world will know that we are his disciples by the love that we have for one another. (John 13:35) Jesus [...]