We therefore conclude that, although songs other than the canonical Psalms may have been and were sung in Israel, there were no such songs or Psalms sung in the ancient synagogue, and Psalms were sung exclusively in the stated worship of the Temple.[1] One should take care in stating emphatically, “The Israelites were not exclusive... Continue Reading

There is one, but only one. It is not a political movement although it would affect politics. The answer is simply, but profoundly found only in a Gospel awakening – a Gospel awakening which produces not only the life changing and culture enhancing blessings of redeeming and transforming grace through the saving work of Jesus... Continue Reading

“If we have to let go of our family, let go of our friends, let go of our church, let go of our lives, so be it. Otherwise, we seek to please men rather than to please God. And God has saved us with a gospel that is really a magnificent gospel, a marvelous gospel.... Continue Reading

“Psalm 88 is the darkest of the Psalms and, as such, there have been times when I have found not only that it uniquely gives voice to the way I feel but that it uniquely gives me a little hope, for, despite the Psalmist’s frame of mind, his faith is evidenced by his calling out... Continue Reading

“Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties challenged the mandate as a violation of the freedom of religion. The Court now must answer the questions of whether for-profit corporations can have a religious conscience and whether the birth control mandate substantially burdens the businesses’ free exercise of religion.”   This week, the Supreme Court heard a... Continue Reading

“To you, one aspect of freedom means pursuing meaningful relationships without the burden of, shall we say, reproductive consequences. You’ve probably felt frustrated with conservative Christians about this: What is it with these people? They’re against abortion, so why aren’t they all over contraceptives? Better to prevent a pregnancy than kill a baby, right?”  ... Continue Reading

“This may not have been your family’s story. But God was no less at work in your family—it is miraculous that any of us are here. We rarely get access to these kinds of details, but the fact that any one African American person is here means that someone in their family tree survived the... Continue Reading

“If your small group or church or group of friends are aiding and abetting your apathy–or you their’s– then you probably need to work hard at changing the culture of these relationships and contexts to be more reflective of biblical Christianity.”   If you are connected in any way to mainline (particularly American) evangelicalism then... Continue Reading

Jesus isn’t particularly concerned with the most recent Barna report, or church growth study, or the state of Hollywood. He will build his church, and there is absolutely nothing that can stop him. Even as Jesus talked about the spike in lawlessness, he also promised that the gospel would be proclaimed in ALL nations.  ... Continue Reading

It’s not simply about our grasp of what Scripture is, or our conviction of Scripture’s inerrancy, or even where we land with different interpretations. It’s fundamentally about how we approach the words of God, even before we get to the interpretation part. It’s about how we look when we’re looking at Scripture. The question is: What... Continue Reading