In monotheism, worshiping the wrong deity is quite significant. Historically, Jews, Muslims, and Christians have all believed that if you do not worship the correct deity, you are cut off from salvation.   What is a deity? Now, that’s a good question. But it’s not one with a simple answer. In fact, there are several... Continue Reading

Longing for order is one of the things that has been so difficult during this latest season of life. Because we have received so many—and so many different—definitions of reality, life has felt unordered and chaotic.   There is a longing in all of us for order. Now, in fairness, that longing varies by degrees.... Continue Reading

What is the difference between the Jesus of the Bible and you, me, and the prophets of old? Is there a difference? The histories of the widow of Zarephath and the Shunammite woman are very beneficial for teaching us about the person and work of Jesus Christ.   When Elisha came into the house there... Continue Reading

Born just a few years before the conclusion of the disastrous Thirty-Years War, Bethlen witnessed its lasting effects and was left with a distaste for belligerent divisions among those who had the same basic beliefs. Two examples, in his view, were the aggressive arguments about predestination and the Lord’s Supper.   Sitting in prison, “as... Continue Reading

We all are so prone to believing the person telling us what we want to hear. The internet tempts us to believe that we can all be experts on any topic we decide to study. The problem is that the information on the internet is only as good as its source.   Last week I... Continue Reading

Avoiding dishonesty and the spread of falsehoods has to be a priority in our lives if we are to faithfully follow Jesus Christ. Lying, slander, gossip, deceit, etc. should not and must not exist among us. We are to be people who love the truth and speak the truth.   There are a number of... Continue Reading

One of the obstacles to understanding the question of taste is common view that art is to be a matter of spontaneous pleasure and immediate delight. The idea that one’s ability to discern beauty is a discipline that can be practiced is unfamiliar to many Christians.   How can beauty be a real property if... Continue Reading

How in the world do we know if what we are discerning is a true call? Is it only an invitation by a second party, or is it the individual’s initiative? The missionary call seems to be both an individual/subjective conviction and a corporate/objective confirmation.   We often overlook and/or misunderstand the New Testament model.... Continue Reading

Does not the world require both poetry and prose? The Scriptures describe both a journey and a judgment seat. But if these differences are merely stylistic, why then did so many suffer persecution for such differences? In fact, this is about more than wording or emphasis, ambiguity or perspicuity. The issue in question is none... Continue Reading

Human reason is not capable of understanding God fully. Our puny attempts at trying to explain the Holy Trinity always have holes and problems and come up far short. What we must do is simply believe our Lord, obey Him as we accept that He is reigning now and will do so forever.   I... Continue Reading