It is a quirk of human nature that we don’t like to do as we are told. I have heard it said that you can surround a kid with toys, but tell him there is …
Christian Origins #31 - Corinthians
There is something truly seductive about any manifestation of the supernatural. Every human being experiences doubts once in a while. It is not so much a question of unbelief as it is a difficulty in …
Christian Origins #30 - Corinthians
One of the truly sad things in the history of religion is the hostility that persists between Jews and Christians—sometimes it even becomes hatred. It’s very old, of course. It dates from the very beginning …
Christian Origins #29 - Corinthians
Of all the ceremonies that are connected in our mind to the Christian faith, there is probably nothing more fundamental than that ceremony we call the Lord’s Supper, or Holy Communion, or the Eucharist, or …
Faith in a Box
I think I am at long last beginning to understand something that puzzles a lot of people. How was it possible to hate a man who could make the blind see, the lame walk, the …
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 …
American Prophets
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate …
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 …
Thy Will Be Done
The disciples of Jesus came to him one day with a request: Lord, teach us to pray. Jesus replied with a remarkably concise, model prayer. We call it the Lord’s Prayer and everyone knows it …
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 …
The Courageous Christian
I’m always grateful when the news media gives credit to people who have done very brave things. It is so good to see these people and to hear what they have to say about how …
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 …