Category Archives: Coming to God

You Can Be Good Without God (1)

That was the headline of an article that appeared in USA Today. It was written by Jerry Coyne, a professor of Ecology and Evolution at the University of Chicago. It was fairly representative of what we’ve been hearing from New Atheism.     Let me begin by (gladly) stating the obvious: there are untold numbers of people who doContinue reading “You Can Be Good Without God (1)”

Grace and Discipleship

Luke tells us that “crowds were traveling with Jesus” (14:26), and that’s precisely the problem. Everyone has gotten on the Jesus bandwagon but few, if any, have any understanding of what it means to be a follower of His. Jesus remedies this with a hard hitting discussion on discipleship. Three times He uses the phraseContinue reading “Grace and Discipleship”

Wineskins, Patches and New Life

Readers of Scripture encounter two undeniable truths as they pore over the gospel accounts of Jesus:  Probably a third truth tracks subconsciously through our minds as we read about Him: It’s important to understand the radical call of Jesus. He didn’t come to bring a better life; He came to bring new life. Jesus wasn’t an upgradeContinue reading “Wineskins, Patches and New Life”

A Roman Cross and a Jewish Carpenter (1)

We’re accustomed to thinking about the gospel in terms of the conflict and conquering experienced by Jesus. Whether His opponent was Satan, death, or sin, Christ met with and triumphed over them all. We’ve traveled down the paths of Scripture that develop these truths many times and have benefitted greatly from the journey. But thereContinue reading “A Roman Cross and a Jewish Carpenter (1)”

Living A Fast Paced Life (1)

Prayer and fasting are often joined together in Scripture (see Ezra 8:23; Nehemiah 1:4; Acts 13:3,14:23, for a few places). Immediately after He gives the model prayer, Jesus turns His attention to fasting (Matthew 6:16-18)—undoubtedly because of their close association.  And He did say, When you fast rather than If you fast. Yet unless I’m misreading things, fasting is not partContinue reading “Living A Fast Paced Life (1)”

The Cross: Punishment or Suffering?

Did God punish Jesus at the cross? When you put it that way it sounds rather stark, doesn’t it? I think there would be unanimous agreement that God didn’t punish Jesus for anything He personally did. He had no sin (Hebrews 4:14ff). But after this, there would be some significant divergence. There would be more thanContinue reading “The Cross: Punishment or Suffering?”

Nice Prayers or Good Prayers?

When we have prayed over every wart, pimple, and problem of people both known and unknown, have we really ministered to them? Have we done what God would have us to do for them? Is this the essence of what the church is to be about? Curiously, there’s nothing in the New Testament to sanction the fervorContinue reading “Nice Prayers or Good Prayers?”

Until He Comes

Francis Scott Key was a lawyer in the Baltimore-DC area and something of a Washington insider. He served as the United States District Attorney for the District of Columbia during the Jackson administration. Of course, we know him best as the man who wrote the words to our national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner. InContinue reading “Until He Comes”

Pain Management

When you mention this phrase, most of us think of a situation where someone is experiencing a significant amount of pain and discomfort. Pain management speaks to whatever approach they implement to deal with their condition. It might include medication, physical therapy, exercises, counseling, and other elements. It’s not uncommon to hear of people goingContinue reading “Pain Management”