For those of us who have lived only in the United States, the stories we hear of past hostilities between whites and blacks here might seem like some of the most hostile in history. The brutal atrocity of chattel slavery, and the curse of Jim Crow, still hang for many like dark clouds over ourContinue reading “The Good ‘American’”
Category Archives: Exposition
In the Flesh
I was raised in a family and a community where religious beliefs were considered personal and virtually never discussed. I attended a Catholic grade school and continued with religion classes through high school. I was a good student and knew what I was supposed to believe – but no matter how hard I tried, IContinue reading “In the Flesh”
More Than You Asked and Better Than You Deserved
A godly king, backed into a deadly corner, teaches us a liberating truth about prayer. In one of the great tragedies in all of Scripture, David’s son Absalom has exploited his father’s love and conspired against him. Now the rebellion has grown strong, and David is left with no option but to flee Jerusalem inContinue reading “More Than You Asked and Better Than You Deserved”
When Unity Seems Impossible
There is a sweet peace in giving up the responsibility to control everything and the drive to get vengeance. That spirit of sweetness is what Peter is talking about when he quotes Psalm 34 in his first letter to the church: “… [T]he one who wants to love life and to see good days, letContinue reading “When Unity Seems Impossible”
Tough Hides and Tender Hearts
WHEN HOSEA MARRIED A PROSTITUTE, respect for him dropped to zero. “Small wonder he is listed first among the minor prophets,” some may sneer today. “He must have been a real loser.” Wrong again, O critic. Hosea was one of the most patient, tender, loving, and obedient of all the ancient prophets. “Then why in the world wouldContinue reading “Tough Hides and Tender Hearts”
Riding the Proverbial Cycle
The book of Proverbs has a remarkable shape. We often jump to one or another of the short, pithy wisdom sayings without taking note of the book’s context. The first nine chapters are filled with voices calling us to wisdom—wisdom that begins with the fear of the Lord. This wisdom is the opposite of folly,Continue reading “Riding the Proverbial Cycle”
Can Christians Be Demon Possessed?
Editor’s Note: Can someone who is truly a Christian be possessed by a demon? Demons and their relation to Christians is an important topic and not one discussed very often or openly among Christians. Christians can be demon oppressed, but never demon possessed. In the Gospels, wherever Jesus goes, he casts out demons. The demons just reallyContinue reading “Can Christians Be Demon Possessed?”
Wake Up
It might seem odd to lump drowsiness and drunkenness together. It’s not like they’re moral equivalents. But that’s exactly what Paul does in 1 Thessalonians 5:6, telling us “not [to] sleep, as others do, but [to] keep awake and be sober.” Paul isn’t issuing a call for mass insomnia. Rather, he’s tapping into a commonContinue reading “Wake Up”
Look Up
“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up” (John 3:14, NKJV).In His memorable nocturnal interview with Nicodemus, Jesus made reference to the bronze serpent Moses placed on a pole that those who believed might look at it and live (see Numbers 21). Jesus thenContinue reading “Look Up”
Don’t Trust Your Anger
The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. (James 1:20) Our world, including our Christian circles, gives us opportunities galore for anger. It’s not as though provocations lie on only one side of the theological, political, or cultural divides. Bob Dylan was right: “Everything is broken.” No wonder, then, that a whole lotContinue reading “Don’t Trust Your Anger”
