Category: THEOLOGY
When God Gives Up
In an exchange, there is always something gained and something lost. On my recent trip to Israel this meant that I had to surrender my dollars to gain shekels. If I wanted to buy souvenirs and Turkish coffee, the money had to be changed. One of...
The Elderly Mr. Phipp: A Brockton Dialogue
James, the youth: Is affection necessary for true spirituality? I mean, can’t a man be Christian, yet cold as a stone emotionally? Mr. Brockton: Affection cannot be separated from true religion. James: But are we to strain to be affectionate toward God when it is not...
Justification: God’s “Not Guilty” Verdict
Imagine you are on trial for a crime you didn’t commit—a crime punishable by death. Though you are innocent, circumstantial evidence has convinced police and prosecutors that you are guilty. You have no alibi—no way of proving you were somewhere else when the crime was committed....
Knowing We’re Chosen by God
I’ve noticed both online and in person that some people regularly and vigorously defend their view of election (God choosing to save some people). When the apostle Paul mentioned the idea of election in First Thessalonians 1:4, he wasn’t arguing for his view, but simply stating...
Joining the Great Multitude in Heaven
Read contemplatively, and even picture in your mind, the following glorious scene in heaven. After this, I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb,...
Man of Sorrows
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane . . . And . . . he began to be sorrowful and troubled. (Matthew 26:36, 37) The statement in Matthew 26:36, 37 is significant. Christ has known sorrow before this, but the assertion that in...
Like Those Who Dream: An Imagination of the New Creation
When the new creation comes, it’s going to be unbelievable. Psalm 126 can help you imagine it. A Song of Ascents. 1 When the Lord brought back the captive ones of Zion, We were like those who dream. 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter And our tongue with joyful shouting; Then...
Missing the Obvious
The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. But He replied to them… “Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?” And He left...
Mother Teresa Leona: A Brockton Dialogue
James, the youth: If a person shows all the outward signs of being a Christian, should we assume the person is truly a Christian? The elderly but wiser Mr. Brockton: Not at all. The evidence for being a Christian will undoubtedly be seen in every true Christian, but the appearance...
How Forgiven Are We?
If you believe in Christ, you are as forgiven as you can possibly be. There is no other sacrifice for sins than what Christ has provided through his death on the cross. Below are select Bible passages to help you remember and appreciate the pardon believers...
