1st century Christianity in the 21st century
My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother, for they will be a graceful ornament on your head, and chains about your neck. (Proverbs 1:8-9)
My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent … My son, do not walk in the way with them, keep your foot from their path; for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood. (Proverbs 1:10, 15-16)
Continue reading “Solomon’s Wisdom for Life: The Instruction Of A Father”
The opening chapters to the book of Genesis reveal details concerning the creation of the earth and of mankind, as well as many firsts (first man, first woman, first marriage, first command, first sin, first sacrifices, first children, first murder —you get the point). Genesis is the book of beginning after beginning. And yet within those early chapters were are some often forgotten or seldom mentioned tidbits. Let’s note some of them here.
Continue reading “Insight On The Beginning Of Sin And Sacrifice”
It is a common thing to see advertising for a variety of gambling options on TV, on billboards, and online. They have been some exceptionally witty and amusing ads put together to entice people to take a chance on the lottery. Scratch tickets and dropping numbered balls are not for everyone, so maybe a game of bingo might appeal. There are even church groups that conduct bingos. The bright lights and piercing chimes of a casino catch the fancy of some. There have even been government-operated casinos popping
up throughout Ontario with a host of games to entertain. Not interested in the lottery, bingo, or casino games? You can legally bet on the outcome of sporting events through the gaming commissions that regulate lotteries and casinos. No bookie required. If you want to gamble, but don’t want to leave the house, you can do so! You can participate in all the above via the internet.
Some folks watch the Super Bowl for the game, while others tune in for the commercials. Doritos has a history of clever and entertaining Super Bowl ads, and their spot for Super Bowl 50 did not disappoint (watch it here). That said, not everyone liked it. For instance, the folks at NARAL (National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws) spent their evening commending and condemning Super Bowl ads. Here is a screenshot of their tweet about the Doritos spot:
How sad, indeed, how completely inhuman to be angered by someone “humanizing” unborn babies. What is the fetus if it is not human? Merriam-Webster defines the word “fetus” as:
Continue reading “Abortion: The Ignored Genocide of Our Time”
In a vivid picture of the wicked, Jude states they have “gone in the way of Cain” (Jude 1:11). John tells us that he killed Abel “because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous” (1 John 3:12). Hebrews reveals that “by faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain” (Hebews 11:4) Cain walked contrary to the will of God, and sadly, many today have “gone in the way of Cain” also. Let us discuss the way of Cain in greater detail.
Continue reading “They Have Gone In The Way of Cain”
When studying any Bible book, it is important to note the key words in the book. Such words help to identify important themes and teachings in a text. For instance, the phrase “we know” stands out in John’s first epistle (1 John 2:3, 4, 5, 11, 18, 20, 21, 29; 3:1, 2, 5, 14, 15, 16, 19, 24; 4:2, 6, 8, 13; 5:2, 13, 15, 18, 19, 20). It is obvious that John wants us to focus on what we may know about a variety of topics for our good and God’s glory.
Continue reading “A Focus On What Is Good”
The form of prejudice commonly called racism has always baffled me. Bigotry based upon skin colour makes as much sense as bigotry based upon eye or hair colour. And yet, racism is likely the most common form of prejudice worldwise today, and perhaps in every generation. It is sad to see this hideous attitude in the world, but even worse to find it among our brethren.
First, I want to suggest that the word “racism” is erroneous. There are not multiple races of mankind – there is only one race. The human race has been divided “according to their families, according to their languages, in their lands, according to their nations” (Genesis 10:5, 20, 31). But nowhere in the Bible will you find the word “race” used to describe the division of mankind. We may vary according to our nationality, land, language or family, but we are a single race – human.
Continue reading “One Race in God’s Eyes: Biblical Perspective on Racism”