False narratives go all the way back to the Garden. They don’t come down from above, bringing liberation and life—they bubble up from culture and are all just different forms of bondage. They all do the same thing—seek to enthrone us and dethrone our Father. False narratives can affect anyone, at any time and anyContinue reading “False Prophets”
Category Archives: Opening the Bible
Bored with their Blessings
The first ten chapters of Numbers present a placid picture of Israel in the wilderness under the guidance of Yahweh. After going off the rails in the golden calf incident, the nation settled down and built the tabernacle (Exodus 35-40), conducted a census (Numbers 1), organized their camp around the tabernacle (chapter 2), performed dutiesContinue reading “Bored with their Blessings”
Alive but not Liberated
It’s possible to be alive without being liberated. Under the old covenant, someone who had committed manslaughter could flee to one of the six cities of refuge in Israel. There their case would be tried by an assembly to determine whether the killing had been premeditated or accidental. If the death was determined to beContinue reading “Alive but not Liberated”
Growing Off The Ground
Paul has some special things to say about the disciples at Thessalonica in his first letter to them. He spoke of their faith, hope and love (1:3), how they were a model to all believers (1:7), and how their faith in God had become known everywhere (1:9). But maybe the most amazing thing is thatContinue reading “Growing Off The Ground”
The Good News is not the Fake News
Fake news is something we’ve heard quite a bit about the last few years. Although the phrase is relatively new in terms of popular usage, fake news has been around as long as man has. It’s just been called by different names: propaganda, false narrative, disinformation, etc. Fake news can be serious. At the time of thisContinue reading “The Good News is not the Fake News”
2 Peter 3–End of the World? (2)
Peter speaks in 2 Peter 3 of a coming/day of the Lord/day of God where the heavens and earth will be destroyed and replaced by a new heaven and earth. In a previous post, I laid the groundwork for concluding that this day of the Lord is not the return of Jesus at the end of time because the objection from mockersContinue reading “2 Peter 3–End of the World? (2)”
2 Peter 3–End of the World? (1)
I purchased a Jaguar several years ago. Perhaps it was a mid-life crisis kind of thing, I’m not sure. Anyway, I didn’t take it to church on Sundays or Wednesday nights so most of the members where I preached weren’t aware that I had it. At home, I always put it in the garage—I neverContinue reading “2 Peter 3–End of the World? (1)”
A lot to learn from Lot
Peter is both warning and encouraging his readers in regard to the tough times that are ahead in 2 Peter 2:1ff. The warning aspect is seen in phrases used to describe the false teachers who will surface from among them. Peter speaks of their “destructive heresies” and “depraved conduct.” He also reminds them that God broughtContinue reading “A lot to learn from Lot”
Trust God and Put Your Name On It
If you think about the time you spent in school, nearly everyone would agree that they didn’t look forward to test day. Even if you were good at tests, it wasn’t a day you circled on your calendar and anticipated with eagerness and enthusiasm. Even though the nicest of teachers would try to calm ourContinue reading “Trust God and Put Your Name On It”
Too Wonderful for Words
When Peter wrote to the Jewish disciples dispersed in the five Roman provinces of Asia Minor (present day Turkey), he told them that even though they hadn’t seen Jesus (as he had), they loved and believed in Him. As a result, they were filled with an “inexpressible and glorious joy” (1:8). It’s that word “inexpressible”Continue reading “Too Wonderful for Words”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 