Bible, theology, culture, etc.
Let’s imagine that the Christian life is a road trip. At your conversion, Jesus Himself climbs into your car and He tells you: No matter what, you are going to make it to Heaven. My Father’s election of you, my death and resurrection for the forgiveness of your sins, the Holy Spirit’s indwelling in you have … Continue reading Christian, You Need Warning Passages
24 And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden. 25 But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at … Continue reading Jesus and Outsiders (Mark 7:24-8:10)
What is your functional authority in your life? What do you give final say to when making decisions? I’m not referring to what you believe your authority is or what you think the authority should be. I’m referring to day-in day-out, what is it that makes you say: this is right, this is wrong, this is good, this is desirable? … Continue reading Jesus and Tradition (Mark 7:1-13)
There are few issues more controversial and polarizing than the issues of race, racism, and social justice today. This is particularly divisive in the Church where battle lines have been drawn with each side accusing the other of perverting the gospel, capitulating to societal pressures and worldliness. Any attempt at nuance and thoughtfulness results in … Continue reading What does the Bible Say About Racism and Social Justice?
There are many things we fear today--societal breakdown, economic recession, our children's future, etc. It is unlikely, however, that many of us in the West fear evil spiritual forces. That is, supernatural forces from an unseen, spiritual realm. That sounds childish. Yet, when we read the New Testament we come face to face with spiritual … Continue reading Can Modern People Believe in Demons?
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” – John 1:29 What can we do with our guilt? Why do we all feel guilty? In the 19th century, the Russian novelist Dostoevsky encapsulated a popular philosophy at the time concerning … Continue reading Good Friday: Guilty, Vile and Helpless We
One of the most puzzling aspects of Old Testament law for Christians to understand is the many ritual and purity laws. We know that with the coming of Jesus and His inauguration of the New Covenant, the Old has passed away, and thus we are not bound by the ceremonial or civil laws we find … Continue reading Why is Leviticus so Weird?
Occasionally Satan uses earth-shattering catastrophes in our life. Most of the times, however, the most effective temptations in our lives are the monotonous, mundane frustrations that pile up. Whether its picking up your kids' socks off the ground for the millionth time or sending that follow-up email because that person isn't responding, little frustrations can … Continue reading Satan and the Little Things
I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. - 1 Tim 2:15 Act like men, be strong. - 1 Cor 16:13 What does it mean to be a "man"? What does it mean to be a "woman"? When thinking about our culture's … Continue reading Review: Men and Women in the Church
Originally written in April, 2020 A former professor of mine recently wrote about his experience of his 23-year-old daughter contracting COVID-19. He writes: “Two days after the hospital admitted Hannah, a physician called to let us know that her lungs weren’t delivering sufficient oxygen to her body. If the medical team didn’t place her on a ventilator … Continue reading Yahweh in the Flesh (Mark 6:45-52)
Marc Sims 