When a person knows that God is there—but he can’t touch him, can’t see him—there should be a longing for God. Unless, of course, God is not in his thoughts. Then, if God is not …
Christian Origins #28 - Corinthians
We all know that we are sinners. And we know that there is no combination of our own works, our own efforts, that can save us. But having been saved by the death and life …
Christian Origins #27 - Corinthians
Why do you suppose that Israelites, so very long ago, lived about as long as we do today with all our advances in science? The answer is pretty straightforward: Israel had a very down-to-earth law …
Christian Origins #26 - Corinthians
The Bible is a very down-to-earth book. It is written for men and women who actually have to live every day in this world—who have to deal with human needs and human nature. High and …
Christian Origins #25 - Corinthians
It has to come as a surprise to find a Christian church—a Gentile Christian church—observing the Passover. The Passover is a Jewish festival, right? Then what is a gentile church like Corinth doing observing the …
Beauty and the Power to Love
Sometimes important ideas can come from unexpected places. I came across an article in the journal, First Things, by an architect who had been provoked by a piece on church architecture by another architect. I …
Christian Origins #24 - Corinthians
If there’s one thing that is clear when you study the New Testament with an eye to the origins of the Christian church, it is that the apostles were not princes of the church. Oh, …
Christian Origins #23 - Corinthians
If a man sets out to convince an audience of the truth of his message, why would he not give it his best shot? Wouldn’t you normally think a man would pull out all the …
Christian Origins #22 - Corinthians
The last time the Christian church was perfectly joined together, of the same mind and of the same judgement was nearly 2,000 years ago on that Pentecost when the Holy Spirit fell on the church …
Christian Origins #21 - Acts
It is astonishing, when you think about it, how much hatred can be generated by religious beliefs. From the earliest times, Jews persecuted Christians; and when Christians came to power, they persecuted Jews. It is …
On Christians and Judaism #3
The Epistle to the Galatians may not be the first letter Paul ever wrote, but it is the first one we have on the record. In fact, it may be the first document written in …
Christian Origins #20 - Thessalonians
Everyone knows the end of the world is coming. The only questions left are when and how. Scientists tell us that in 3 to 4 billion years our sun will blow up and turn our …
Christian Origins #19 - Thessalonians
Is it hard to be a Christian? I suppose it depends on where you are and what you are doing. There are people in the world, right now, who are being shamefully and brutally treated …
Christian Origins #18 - Galatians
I know sometimes it is a little hard to grasp, but the conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees was a matter of power and control. When this conflict reached the churches of Galatia, it split …
Christian Origins #17 - Galatians
I know this may seem obvious, but it must be said: Christianity and Judaism are two very different religions. I think Jews know this better than Christians. We speak of things Judeo-Christian as though they …
On Christians and Judaism #2
I still have a little trouble understanding why the First Christians didn’t get it when Jesus told them what they supposed to do about the Gospel. And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All …
Christian Origins #16 - Galatians
Sometimes we answer questions too quickly, when we would be far better off saying I don’t know and waiting until we do. Nowhere is this more true than in religion. It is hard to discuss …
Christian Origins #15 - Galatians
Visualize a horizontal line. That line represents perfection in keeping the law. Everything below that line is sin. Everything above that line is righteousness. Simple, right? But wait, if the line represents perfection in keeping …
Christian Origins #14 - Galatians
It is odd, don’t you think, that man is so dissatisfied with God? Seriously, we seem to think that we can improve on what he has done. It is one thing when we do this …
Christian Origins #13 - Acts & Galatians
It is almost funny, in reading thorough the life of the apostle Paul, how often his friends had to get him out of town to save his neck. Paul was a firebrand. He was a …