Stories can captivate our attention and our heart. They help us see ourselves and others more clearly. The story of the Prodigal Son is perhaps one of the most well-known stories told by Jesus. It is the third and final story in a string of parables that Jesus used to critique the religious leaders. TheyContinue reading “Give Me a Break”
Category Archives: theology
He Chooses What He Chooses
Our God remains incomprehensible and retains His simplicity. He tells us in His Word that He is not a God of confusion but of order. He is not at war with Himself. He is altogether good, altogether holy, and altogether sovereign. This we must affirm to maintain a biblical concept of divine sovereignty. Yet weContinue reading “He Chooses What He Chooses”
When Any God Will Do
What is polytheism?Polytheism is the belief that there are many gods. Breaking the word down, “poly” comes from the Greek word for “many,” and “theism” from the Greek word for “God.” Polytheism has perhaps been the dominant theistic view in human history. The best-known example of polytheism in ancient times is Greek/Roman mythology (Zeus, Apollo,Continue reading “When Any God Will Do”
Keeping Your Promises
Oaths before God33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it isContinue reading “Keeping Your Promises”
No Further Appeals
What will the future be like? What will your income be in five years? What will your health be like in three years? Will civilization be safe for your children and your grandchildren? We ask questions like these, even if only to ourselves. Businesses and ministries also plan for the future, including five- and ten-yearContinue reading “No Further Appeals”
Soul Food
Is the human soul mortal or immortal? Without a doubt the human soul is immortal. This is clearly seen in many Scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments: Psalm 22:26; 23:6; 49:7-9; Ecclesiastes 12:7; Daniel 12:2-3; Matthew 25:46; and 1 Corinthians 15:12-19. Daniel 12:2 says, “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earthContinue reading “Soul Food”
Depends Who Is Doing the Saving
When people come to know Christ as their Savior, they are brought into a relationship with God that guarantees their salvation as eternally secure. To be clear, salvation is more than saying a prayer or “making a decision” for Christ; salvation is a sovereign act of God whereby an unregenerate sinner is washed, renewed, andContinue reading “Depends Who Is Doing the Saving”
The Reality of Satan
I once asked a college philosophy class, “How many of you believe in God?” Out of thirty students, twenty-seven raised their hands in the affirmative; three abstained. Then I asked, “How many of you believe in Satan as a personal reality?” This time the vote was reversed. I pursued my inquiry. I asked, “Why doContinue reading “The Reality of Satan”
Why Virgin?
Why is the virgin birth so important? The doctrine of the virgin birth teaches that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin. That is, when Mary conceived Jesus, she had never had sexual intercourse. Jesus’ birth, therefore, was truly miraculous. The virgin birth of Jesus is a crucially important doctrine and one that the BibleContinue reading “Why Virgin?”
On a Bad Day
How much more will the blood of Christ… purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. (Hebrews 9:14) What should we do when we’ve had a “bad” day spiritually, when it seems we’ve done everything wrong and are feeling very guilty? We must go back to the cross and see Jesus thereContinue reading “On a Bad Day”