Michael Spencer wrote a few thoughts on "60 Minutes" Joel Osteen piece. I found it insightful and humorous. (Note point #4: "Osteen is a Gospel preacher like Col. Sanders is an army officer.")
You can watch the actual interview here.
Generally, there are two main theories regarding the Church's relationship to Israel. In replacement theology, the Church replaces Israel such that Israel will not be redeemed in the future. In dispensational theology, while God has a future for Israel, there is a distinction between Israel and the Church with no overlap.
From a survey of the Book of Romans we can learn that the truth lies in between these two theories.
Paul argues in chapters 5 - 8 of Romans that the blessings that belonged to Israel in the Old Testament are credited to the church. Through Jesus we have all the prerogatives of Israel: we are children of God, inheritors of the promise, God's elect people, imputed righteousness, and assured glorification.
It should be noted that the church at this time was made up of mostly gentiles, such that Christian Jews became a marginalized minority. Hence the following questions.
Have the promises simply been transferred to the church and is ethnic Israel left in the dark? And if God's promises to Israel have not come to fruition, then how can one be sure that the great promises made to the church will be fulfilled?
Ergo, the primary thrust of Romans 9 - 11. Here, Paul emphasizes God's faithfulness to Israel and to the gentiles, demonstrating that God's plan in history fulfills his promises.
He begins by arguing that salvation was never promised to every ethnic Israelite (Romans 9:6-29). God has decreed that a remnant of Israel will be saved and that Gentiles will enter into the church. Gentiles were adopted because they exercised faith in Jesus as the promised Messiah, whereas the Jews did not because they failed to see that he was the fulfillment to which the Old Testament pointed and because they attempted to establish their own righteousness based on their obedience to the Law (Romans 9:30-11:10).
Even though God has always worked with a remnant (Romans 11:1-10), the idea that the majority of Israel standing outside of God's promises can not be the last word since the Old Testament pledges a glorious future for Israel, and this is not fulfilled in a small remnant. Thus when Paul wrote Romans he affirms that the present state of Israel is not permanent, for the majority of them will not resist the gospel (Romans 11:11-26). Israel has only been set aside to let the fullness of the Gentiles into the Church, and the inclusion of the Gentiles will eventually provoke Israel to jealously leading to their salvation.
In sum, the Church, which is made of up mostly gentiles and a remnant of Jews, has been ascribed the promises to Israel, but one day the promises made to ethnic Israel will be fulfilled.
If you haven't read Ben Witherington, you should!
Here is an excerpt from his blog.
Memo to Mr. Osteen from John Wesley
"I fear, wherever riches have increased, the essence of religion has decreased in the same proportion. Therefore, I do not see how it is possible, in the nature of things, for any revival of religion to continue long. For religion must necessarily produce both industry and frugality, and these cannot but produce riches. But as riches increase, so will pride, anger, and love of the world in all its branches."
--- John Wesley (1703-1791).
Does God only respond to the prayers of Christians or does He also respond to the prayers of those of other religions?
Obviously God "hears" the prayers of everyone since He is omniscient. But Jesus seems to imply that Christians have a special hearing in the presence of the Judge. Jesus says, "Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the son." (John 14:13)
Moreover, since the wrath of God abides upon those who have not believed in the Son (John 3:36); it follows that they should not expect answers to prayer from the Father.
Obviously God does answer the prayers of the unbelieving. But He does so out of His mercy and divine plan for humanity rather than out of a sort of obligation to the followers of the Son (John 15:7).
globalize verb: develop or be developed so as to make possible international influence or operation
Sometime after the flood a number of people decided to rebuild a city and erect a tower where its top reached the heavens. Their stated purpose was to make a name for themselves. God was displeased with their motives and put an end to the project by confusing their tongues; thus, scattering the builders far and wide. The narrative (Genesis 11) ends by revealing the name of the city: Babel.
Last weekend Steve Eriksson and I spoke to a Slovak doctor in Mexico who is working at a hospital in America. While we spoke I came to realize how small the world has become. I guess globalization is true even for us ministers.
Unlike previous generations we have an unprecedented opportunity to interact with other countries and cultures. New political associations are forming like the EU, which are bonding languages as well as economies. As one author as said, "The World is Flat."
I heard a commentary once on NPR comparing globalization with Babel. Humanity is coming together again under one tongue in order to make a name, or dollar/euro, for ourselves. I'm sure you can see where the commentator was going.
Look out! Babel is back!
My question is simple: is globalization a sign of God's impending judgment? As God judged Babel will He soon judge our world? Or, is globalization a sign of the end?
I understand that no one knows the day or hour of the return of Christ (Matthew 24:36). And yet, just before this statement Christ Himself says that we should be able to read the signs of the end (v. 32), one of the most important being the proclamation of the gospel to the entire world (v. 14). Perhaps God hinged the global proclamation of the Gospel onto the great harlot called globalization. a la "What you meant for evil God meant for good."
Speaking of harlots, when Revelation talks about the end it speaks about God's judgment upon the great harlot Babylon. (Revelation 17:1)
Question. Who or what is Babylon? Is Babylon symbolic for some future city? Is Babylon symoblic for Rome?
Now let me add some more fuel to the fire. Babylon is derived from the word Babel.
But wouldn't that make the Babylon mentioned in Revelation the world?
Jesus says that the judgment comes upon the world in Matthew 13:38-39.
Globalization.
Babel.
The end.
There seems to be a connection.
I'm just synthesizing thoughts. What do you think?
Psalm 23 reads, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."
If I remain in the presence of my God, I shall desire no other.
Why do we sleep?
Did Adam sleep as we do prior to the fall?
Is sleep necessary as fallen creatures? Why?
Isn't it interesting that we subconsciously trust our lives into Something as we venture into the great abyss?
What happens when we enter the great abyss?
How is it that we are refreshed after a good night's sleep?
What exactly is being refreshed?
Feel free to help me build a theology of sleep.
someone who proclaims the Gospel and forgets to disciple.
"Go therefore and make disciples!" (Matthew 28:19) Notice He doesn't say, "make believers."
I took this picture on the Charles Bridge in Prague. I've found it to be the most striking display of God's love and holiness.
If one looks closely, you'll see "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts" written in Hebrew around the cross. I can't imagine a better commentary on the depravity of humanity, the holiness of God and; most importantly, His love for us.
Let's remember together that God sent his perfect and holy and divine son to die as a sacrifice for our sins. The God of Isaiah's vision, who has an army of angels at his beckoning call, came to our sin-ridden planet; lived as a displaced immigrant; worked as a day laborer; murdered for our transgressions. (See image above.)
Why would anyone do this? LOVE!
"God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us!" (Romans 5:8)
The significant implication is that the expression of God's love decreases as one decreases His holy standards or our personal part in transgressing them (Luke 7:47).
"Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedar! ... Let them praise the name of the Lord." (Psalm 148:9; 13)
(I took this picture while hiking in the Czech. When I look at it I'm filled with a sense of God's beauty and perfection.)
We started a new four week series on work at somanorth I hope you can make it! We'll continue our Discipleship series in mid-September.
Wayne Grudem, Research Professor of Bible and Theology at Phoenix Seminary, is teaching a Christian Essentials Class at Scottsdale Bible Church main campus. The class begins at 9:45AM in the Gym. Presently, he's teaching from his Systematic Theology book.
You can download audio from his class here.
Ben Witherington of Asbury Theological Seminary writes,
Jesus rides into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday on the foal of a raptor. People attempt to feed the raptor by laying palm branches on the road as he looks hungry.
"...if anyone makes the assistance of grace depend on the humility or obedience of man and does not agree that it is a gift of grace itself that we are obedient and humble, he contradicts the Apostle who says, "What have you that you did not receive?" (1 Cor. 4:7), and, "But by the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Cor. 15:10). (Council of Orange: Canon 6)
I am not what I want to be.
I am not what I hope to be.
But by the grace of God, I am not what I was. - D.A. Carson
Colossians 4:14 tells us that Luke, the author of the Gospel and Acts, was a physician. To learn about the instruments he would have used, check out this page from the University of Virgina Health System.
WARNING: It's not for the faint of heart.
I found the following in this months Discipleship Journal. The following will make your heart hurt and your skin crawl.
WHAT WOULD YOU WAGER FOR YOUR SOUL? Visitors to www.blasphemychallenge.com are invited to risk eternal damnation in exchange for a DVD of the documentary The God Who Wasn't There. Participants must post online a vidoe of themselves verbally denying the exitence of the Holy Spirit (the unforgivable sin according to one interpretation of Mk. 3:28-29).
We're having a special service at somanorth this Sunday. It's called "Take My Life." Believe me when I say that you wont want to miss it.
Westboro Baptist Church, which is not affiliated with any Baptist organization, will be picketing the funerals of the Virginia Tech victims. Their reasoning? The Virginia Tech teachers and students who died brought their fate upon themselves by not being true Christians.
“The evidence is they were not Christian. God does not do that to his servants,” Phelps-Roper said. “You don’t need to look any further for evidence those people are in hell.”
1 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
"The more anxious a person is to devote himself to upbuilding, the more highly Paul wishes him to be regarded." - John Calvin
Here's a brief time line of the empires that governed Palestine.
What do rabbits, eggs and chocolate have to do with Easter? Find out in this 4 minute video from the History Channel.
Fresh Air with Terry Gross has a wonderful interview with Francis Collins.
Geneticist Francis Collins is director of the National Human Genome Research Project. He is also an evangelical Christian, and author of the book The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief.
Chuck Swindoll is writing some fine devotionals for the Nation Day of Prayer Task Force. Enjoy.
My friend Jon Kelley is organizing a dinner to assist those who are suffering from AIDS. Check it out. I also attached a brief description from the primary organizer.
My friends, the “Broken Bread Dinner” will be held on April 1st at 7:00 pm in the La Sala Ballroom on ASU’s West campus (43rd Ave. and Thunderbird.) We are hoping to have two hundred plus people attend this event from ASU West YL, ASU’s West campus and various valley churches. This event will be a collaboration of faith-based organizations and our campus at ASU West to increase the awareness among students at ASU and people throughout the valley. That night we will only be serving water and porridge, provided by World Vision, to give all who attend the opportunity to reflect upon the hunger and pain that millions of people experience daily around the world. We will be showing clips from the documentary, “A Closer Walk”, listening to our speaker Bo White, from Food for the Hungry, advertising Invisible Children’s “Displace Me” and raising donations for World Vision and Blood:Water Mission. At the dinner we will also be selling tickets to a benefit concert on April 27th at Alice Cooperstown in downtown Phoenix.
The dinner is free and open to anyone, so please come. This event is being organized and run by college students who have a dream for a better world, and it is our hope that through this dinner you can catch our vision too.
If you have any other questions about the “Broken Bread Dinner,” please can contact me by phone or by email. You can also access our website and register by going to www.brokenbreadmeal.com.
Emily Harman
brokenbread@ylasuwest.com
I was reading a modern translation of the book of Daniel the other day. I came across a sentence that caught my attention.
"In every way that is unimportant, let them make us Chaldeans."
I'm excited to see more people interacting with my blog. It's been fun reading the responses.
I think it would even be more fun if the following rules are followed.
1) No anonymous posts please. If you don't have the courage to post your convictions then you may need to refrain from posting a reply. Moreover, blogs are great places for us to get to know each other better. Let's take advantage of this opportunity. It's also difficult for me to reply to "anonymous" if there are six anonymous responses! So add your name!
2) No ad hominem arguments. Ad hominem is a type of argument that appeals to the emotions rather than logic or reason. They usually take the form of attacking an opponent's motives. This style of argument never seeks to discover the truth. Please refrain from using it.
3) Be clear and concise. Don't ramble.
4) Remember the power of the tongue! Many of us have been convicted by our tongues since we've been going through the Book of James. Let's be slow to speak (or type!). Remember that once you hit "publish" it's too late.
I heard someone say something like, "All sins are the same in God's eyes." I assume they say this in order to 1) encourage those who are broken from their sins that God doesn't play favorites and 2) humble those who take pride in their perceived holiness.
Unfortunately, I fear that this statement is wrong. Even though the conclusion is good I think the premise is poor. It is correct to say that all sins separate us from God. But all sins are NOT the same in God's eyes.
Jesus says to Pilate referring to Caiaphas, "You have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he [Caiaphas] who delivered Me to You has the greater sin." (John 19:11)
As High Priest, Caiaphas should have known better than to deliver his Messiah over to death. It's as Jesus says, "[the] slave who knew his master's will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes..." (Luke 12:47) As compared to the few lashes received by the ignorant slave.
I think this false principle stems from a misunderstanding of the doctrine of sin. All sin separates us from God. (see Romans 3:23) This is very true! But that doesn't necessarily mean that all sin is the same. We can see this just by looking at the various consequences of our sin. The unfortunate reality is that some sins have greater consequences than others. So also some sins are greater than others in God's eyes. God doesn't see a murderer and a thief the same even though both sins separate them from God for eternity.
And yet we must preach that God doesn't play favorites. Our good works done in unrighteousness are filthy rags to God. If one wants to encourage those who are broken from their sins that God is full of grace towards all people no matter the magnitude of their sin, then I recommend taking them to Ephesians 2 where Paul says, "It is by Grace you are saved;" or 1 Timothy 1 where Paul admits that God shown him mercy so that the "worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience."
What do you think?
The Roman Catholic Church developed a list of vices to educate humanity on the various temptations that may overtake us. I found this list helpful in classifying the root of my sins. Until recently, I never knew that the Roman Catholic Church also recognizes Seven Holy Virtues which correspond to each of the Seven Deadly Sins.
Vice Virtue
Lust (excessive sexual appetites) Chastity (purity of soul)
Gluttony (over-indulgence) Temperance (self-restraint)
Greed (avarice) Charity (giving)
Sloth (idleness) Diligence (zeal/integrity)
Wrath (anger) Forgiveness (composure)
Envy (jealousy) Kindness (admiration)
Pride (vanity) Humility (humbleness)
My friend Nate has posted a blog that is worthy of being reposted here. Is that the "French Fork" I see!
Feel free to guess which beard he's sporting.
In an article found in the Journal of Biblical Counseling, Alfred Poirer points out that the cross is our greatest critic; so let's be slower to anger when someone criticizes us.
"In light of God's judgment and justification of the sinner in the cross of Christ, we can begin to discover how to deal with any and all criticism. By agreeing with God's criticism of me in Christ's cross, I can face any criticism man may lay against me. In other words, no one can criticize me more than the cross has. And the most devastating criticism turns out to be the finest mercy. If you thus know yourself as having been crucified with Christ, then you can respond to any criticism, even mistaken or hostile criticism, without bitterness, defensiveness, or blame-shifting."
I'm beginning to hear more and more Christian pastors using four-letter words. I'm not sure what to make of this. Part of me sees this as an issue of conscience. I think, "If it doesn't offend anybody, then it's helpful in contextualizing the gospel in such a way that others can feel its relevancy." Basically, it removes the barriers that seem to keep "sinners" from church.
But I don't use this language. Why? I believe our culture still views these words as filthy language, inappropriate for a saint. Wayne Grudem wrote an email to John Piper about this very issue. Apparently, Piper used an "inappropriate" word in an breakout session at Passion07. (Piper later posted a message on his website explaining why he regrets using such a word.) Grudem's argument is similar to my gut instinct. Our language reflects the God we represent. How would our immediate audience view this word?
John MacArthur wrote an article on this topic too!
What do you think? Is it appropriate to use "foul" language? If so, which words are appropriate? Also, when is it appropriate to use this language?
I was reading Ruth a couple of nights ago and came across something interesting.
One day Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, should I not try to find a home for you, where you will be well provided for? Is not Boaz, with whose servant girls you have been, a kinsman of ours? Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. Wash and perfume yourself, and put on your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor...
When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile. Ruth APPROACHED quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down. In the middle of the night something startled the man, and he turned and discovered a woman lying at his feet. "Who are you?" he asked. "I am your servant Ruth," she said. "Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer."
"The Lord bless you my daughter," he replied. "This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: YOU HAVE NOT RUN AFTER YOUNGER MEN, whether rich or poor. And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do for you ALL YOU ASK..." (Ruth 3)
We're baptizing believers this Sunday at somanorth. I thought it would be useful for some of you to understand the significance and reason for baptizing followers of Christ.
In the new book Believer's Baptism: Sign of the New Covenant in Christ (ed. Thomas R. Schreiner and Shawn D. Wright; Nashville: B & H, 2007), Andreas Kostenberger's Chapter argues that the Gospels teach us that baptism:
1) is designed for believers who have repented of their sin and have put their faith in God and in his Christ,
2) is an essential part of Christian discipleship,
3) is always shown to be full immersion,
4) and presupposes spiritual regeneration.
It sounds like a good read. You can buy it here.
Presently, we're moving through the Letter of James at somanorth. Since much of James' writing has been taken from the Sermon on the Mount, I thought it would be useful to post John DelHousaye's notes on the Sermon on the Mount. John is Assistant Professor of New Testament at Phoenix Seminary. Enjoy!
Covenant Theological Seminaryis offering free courses via podcast. I've been through half of "Christ-Centered Preaching" and it has been extremely insightful. Here's a list of the free courses offered by Covenant. I've noticed that it has expanded greatly since its inception.
* Ancient & Medieval Church History
* Apologetics & Outreach
* Biblical Theology
* Calvin's Institutes
* Christ-Centered Preaching: Preparation and Delivery of Sermons
* Christian Ethics
* Christian Worship
* Francis A. Schaeffer: The Early Years
* Francis A. Schaeffer: The Later Years
* God & His Word
* God's World Mission
* Hebrews to Revelation
* Humanity, Christ & Redemption
* Life & Letters of Paul
* Life & Teachings of Jesus
* New Testament History
* Old Testament History
* Psalms & Wisdom Books
* Reformation & Modern Church History
* Spirit, Church, & Last Things
* Youth Ministry
I've been asked to post a mix with songs representing the various moods of my life.
1. "silly and loud" she don't use jelly by Flaming Lips
2. "macho" testosterone by Bush
3. "Jesus is Life" In Christ Alone / Nothing But the Blood by Rita Springer
4. "i got you in my sights" The Root by D'Angelo
5. "Jesus Returns as a Warrior to Kill Sin, Persecutors, Cancer, Starvation, The Devil, and All That Is Evil" Paranoid Android by Radiohead
smooth curves begging the eyes
shiny hair, american thighs
balanced perfection
flawless complexion
cunning girl to our demise
This poem stems from Proverbs 31:30. It reads, "Charm is deceitful and BEAUTY IS VAIN." Proverbs has many such warnings about the deceitfulness of beauty and passion (See Proverbs 5). I felt that our society is enslaved to the idea that beauty is all that counts. So I wrote a poem to demonstrate the error in this thinking. Judging by beauty ALONE can be very dangerous.
It's interesting to note that all the proverbs were originally written as a guidebook from a father to a son. (See Proverbs 1:8) Hence, I was originally going to entitle this "To My Son." But that sounded silly since I don't have any kids.
What do you think?
"Blessed are those who expect nothing from God, for they shall not be disappointed."
I'm finding this to be the beatitude of this generation. Where has hope gone?
The voice of God reminds me of fresh snowfall. The land is plain; all is familiar and gray. Then they come down, hundreds and thousands of weightless perfection. One would hardly notice them landing on your head. Unlike rain, they carry with them no sound to interrupt important thoughts. Then, when one returns to inspect the land, all is transformed.
Perhaps I should spend more time watching it snow.
Alvin Pantinga, arguably the greatest modern philosopher, critiques Dawkin's most recent book, The God Delusion, in this months Christianity Today. Here's a brief excerpt:
Richard Dawkins is not pleased with God:
The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all of fiction. Jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic-cleanser; a misogynistic homophobic racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal….
Well, no need to finish the quotation; you get the idea. Dawkins seems to have chosen God as his sworn enemy. (Let's hope for Dawkins' sake God doesn't return the compliment.)
Glenn Beck confesses his faith in Christ while talking about the Jesus Tomb.
Thanks Gary!
black coffee served hot and thick
folks chat, no bridle or bit
jazz playing
heart praying
Bible convicts to the quick
Asbury Scholar, Ben Witherington, refutes the Jesus Tomb in his blog. Witherington is best known for his work on the ossuary of James discovered just a few years ago. Here's a brief list of his refutation of the validity of the tomb being that of Christ's.
1) The names inscribed on the tomb are written in three difference languages - one is written in Aramaic, another in Hebrew, and another in Greek. This suggests a multi-generational tomb.
2) None of the brothers of Jesus listed in the NT are named Matthew. What makes us believe that this tomb is more reliable than the NT?
3) Mary Magdalene is called 'Maria' in the 1st century. She is never referred to as Mariamene as the tomb suggests.
4) Jesus is never called 'son of Joseph' by anyone in the NT. Again, why would we assume that the 'Jesus' inscribed on this tomb is the historical Jesus?
5) The ornamental design of the tomb is meant to attract attention, not exactly helpful for a sect of persecuted Jesus followers who wish to remain unseen.
Jesus says in Matthew 19:12, "[For] there are Eunuchs who made themselves Eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven."
Perhaps He was referring to Himself.
If so, those who are single and lonely for purity/kingdom sake have a high priest who can relate to their loneliness.
We will say anything to excuse our immoral behavior. Why? We do so in order to ease our conscience.
In John 12:18 Jesus prays amongst a crowd of onlookers, "Father, glorify Your name." Then a voice came out of heaven: "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." So the crowd of people who stood by and heard it were saying that it had thundered; others were saying, "An angel has spoken to Him."
They excused the voice from heaven in order justify their disbelief in Christ and His will. Hence, the power of the conscience.
O how I'm reminded of the times we have justified our immoral behavior by disregarding the clear voice and will of God. Otherwise our conscience would be burdened.
Someone may justify fornication by responding that the Bible never teaches that we shalt not have sex outside of marriage. So we show them a teaching of Paul clearly condemning fornication.
Then they will respond that Jesus never mentions fornication. So we show them Christ's words condemning fornication.
Then they will respond that the Bible could never be inspired and inerrant since modernity has proven away the miraculous. Why argue with this person any longer? Not even the voice of God could change their mind. (See passage above.)
We will say anything to excuse our behavior, thus showing the power of the conscience.
Prayer: LORD, show me where I have excused sin in my life so that my conscience would remain unburdened. Give me the power to overcome this sin. Then allow me to experience the freedom of a truly guiltless conscience.
Faith without transformation is like an oyster without a pearl. Both are of little value.
Do we have a propensity to talk more about accepting God rather than God accepting us? Has the Church spoken so much about whether or not God pleases us, that we have forgotten about whether or not we please Him?
I've had my fair share of impossible exams as an engineering student. I can't help but relate to some of these "solutions."
Thanks Brandon!
beta test, v:
To voluntarily entrust one's data, one's livelihood and one's
sanity to hardware or software intended to destroy all three.
In earlier days, virgins were often selected to beta test volcanoes.
(As a previous engineer, I couldn't help it.)
I stumbled upon this today. It's called the "stable marriage problem." Basically, it's a mathematical formula that proves that for any equal number of single men and women, it is always possible to marry everyone one off into stable marriages. Read it here.
I made two observations from this formula. 1) It is mathematically possible that everyone be married. It might very well be our sin that keeps people single. 2) It is mathematically possible that everyone be in a marriage not leading to divorce. Again, our sin is what keeps marriages from being stable.
Therefore, we, as a sinful community, are responsible for loneliness and broken marriages. Come Lord Jesus!
Tony Dungy, Head Coach of the Indianapolis Colts, shares about the spiritual lessons he has learned from his sons.
PART ONE
PART TWO
Everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. - Matthew 10:32
Thanks Paula for the link!
What does one need to know in order to be saved? Please explain your answer.
UPDATE: For instance, must one be told about the dual nature of Christ, the resurrection, the judgment of God, sin, etc. in order to be truly saved?
Debbie Maken's book, Getting Serious about Getting Married, is bound to cause a stir.
She outright condemns the current dating schema and theological approach thereof. She debunks "myths" such as "Jesus is all you need" and "being single equals knowing and serving God better." (I fully agree with the former statement. I would agree with the latter statement if it read "it is generally easier to know and serve God as a single rather than being married." See 1 Corinthians 7.)
I haven't read it yet but it serves to be a great conversation starter.
Thanks to Elizabeth for sending me the review.
Christianity is shrinking in America at an astonishing rate. Is there anyway to reverse this tide? SharperIron argues that church plants hold the solution.
Perhaps the perception that somanorth is a church plant, even though it isn't and we have no desire to make it one, accounts for the exceptional growth we have experienced since our inception.
Big thanks to Adam and Phil for showing me this clip.
UPDATE: Video clip removed from YouTube.com
Here are some recent statistics on global Christianity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Notice "30. Average Christian martyrs per year."
Your identity is not found in what you possess, but who possesses you. (See 1 Peter 2:9)
It's not all about who you know, but rather, Who knows you.
"Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’" - Matthew 7:23
Bible Maps are now merged with Google Maps. It's the best! (Yo! Double true!) Here's a link.
