What is important in life? Who better to ponder such imponderables than Solomon, widely regarded as the wisest man in the world? Yet when read together, Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs offer not an answer but a paradox: the emptiness of the world versus the fullness of love.Paradoxes, like this one, are propositions that seemContinue reading “Two Sides of the Same Coin”
Category Archives: Exposition
When You Just Can’t Stay
You know marriage is sacred. You committed before friends, family, and God to love your partner “for as long as you both shall live.” But the violence has gotten worse. What started as an occasional angry outburst has become pushing, hitting, and other scary encounters. You may feel ashamed, sad, angry, or a whole mixContinue reading “When You Just Can’t Stay”
Know Your Heretics
The Rise of the Judaizers A problem arose in the early church when the apostles took the gospel of Jesus to Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles. When Gentiles responded to the gospel, a conflict arose that threatened to divide the church. A group called the Judaizers opposed Paul and Barnabas at the Council of Jerusalem (ADContinue reading “Know Your Heretics”
He Isn’t as Hidden as You Think
Many non-Christians have argued that if God were real, he would speak audibly or show himself to those who ask. Atheist Bertrand Russell was once asked what he would say to God if he faced him in the next life. Russell’s response: “God, you gave us insufficient evidence.” Non-Christians aren’t the only ones who struggleContinue reading “He Isn’t as Hidden as You Think”
Beyond Expectations
AS ABRAHAM and Isaac headed up the mountain, before Abraham knew how God would intervene, he assured his son that God would provide the sacrifice. And sure enough, God provided a lamb: “Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it asContinue reading “Beyond Expectations”
A Tough Job
Reading Job can be a tough slog. It’s a long book, with extended speeches and virtually no action; the poetic language can be hard to follow; and the philosophical discourse often feels repetitive. Understanding what’s behind the text may make it easier to track what’s going on. Here are four key features of the backgroundContinue reading “A Tough Job”
Have I Got a Story for You
People tell a multitude of stories about themselves: who they are, what they believe in, what they imagine life is all about. As theologian Joshua D. Chatraw sees it, the core task of Christian apologetics today is helping nonbelievers recognize themselves in the story God tells in Scripture. Chatraw, executive director of the Center forContinue reading “Have I Got a Story for You”
Breaking the Tether
When astronauts take untethered space walks, they float in outer space without anything attaching them to the space station. What a feeling of complete freedom! They are untethered and free from all restraints—but in grave danger. I’m sure those astronauts feel relieved when they scramble safely back into the spaceship. They couldn’t survive out thereContinue reading “Breaking the Tether”
Tender Words to a Tired Heart
Brook Besor. Don’t feel bad if you’ve never heard of the place. Most haven’t, but more need to. The Brook Besor narrative deserves shelf space in the library of the worn-out. It speaks tender words to the tired heart. The story emerges from the ruins of Ziklag. David and his six hundred soldiers return fromContinue reading “Tender Words to a Tired Heart”
Build God’s House
During the construction of the first temple in Jerusalem, Solomon received a message from Yahweh God: As for this temple you are building, if you follow my decrees, observe my laws and keep all my commands and obey them, I will fulfill through you the promise I gave to David your father. And I willContinue reading “Build God’s House”
