“For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.”
—2 Corinthians 2:17—
We Are Not Peddling The Word Of God: Embracing Authentic Faith
Isaiah’s Use of the Spiritual Hydrological Cycle
Hydrogeology is the science of water distribution through the earth. Consider a simple description of the hydrological cycle:
- Rain falls to the ground, nourishing plants, supplying drinking water, etc..
- Water seeps into the ground or runs off into creeks and rivers if the ground is saturated.
- Creeks, rivers and groundwater flow into large bodies of water (lakes, seas, oceans).
- Water returns to the sky from these large bodies through the process of evaporation.
The Bible is Not Open To Our Private Interpretation
IS THAT REALLY WHAT IT MEANS?
Many potentially enlightening Bible discussions have been avoided by fluffing off differences as merely a matter of opinion. “You believe it your way, I believe it my way” is a sad but all too common Bible conversation closer. I recall one discussion when I had simply read a passage of Scripture, and before I could say anything about it, a hostile accusation was levied, “That’s your interpretation!” The person was not really interested in what the Bible said, let alone what I might have to say about it.
Continue reading “The Bible is Not Open To Our Private Interpretation”Understand the Bible Better: The Power of Words and Context
IS THAT REALLY WHAT IT MEANS?
“Inconceivable!” If you have seen the movie The Princess Bride, you recognize this as the word used repeatedly by Vizzini, a witty Sicilian criminal mastermind. After hearing his boss use it several times, the hired swordsman, Inigo Montoya declared, “You keep using that word. I don’t think it means what you think it means.” There have been times I’ve had the same thought about how folks use the Bible— “…I don’t think that verse means what you think it means.”
Continue reading “Understand the Bible Better: The Power of Words and Context”The Laodicean Letter, Third Century
The document below is believed to have been written near the end of the third century and therefore could not be written by Paul to the Laodiceans.Continue reading “The Laodicean Letter, Third Century”
Faith in the LORD and His Word: Do You Believe?
The 2010 Olympics will begin in Vancouver BC. Several television networks from around the world will be broadcasting the Games. CTV provides coverage in Canda. Canadian Olympians want to quickly lose the stigma of seldom winning gold on home soil. Over the past year, CTV ran an ad campaign entitled, “Do You Believe,” focusing on Canada’s athletes, their training and their Olympic dreams. It has been an interesting campaign and has certainly captured my interest. I applaud CTV.
Continue reading “Faith in the LORD and His Word: Do You Believe?”Sincere Skepticism: Critical Thinking And Analysis For Better Bible Interpretation
For several years in the early 2000s, we featured two articles each week in our bulletin. The first addresses a variety of topics, and the second is a response to supposed Bible contradictions. Some promote skepticism about the Bible, which I am ok with, so long as it is sincere skepticism. The Skeptic’s Annotated Bible website has been a major source of these alleged errors.
Continue reading “Sincere Skepticism: Critical Thinking And Analysis For Better Bible Interpretation”Spirit and Soul: A look into the Hebrew
The Bible uses both the word spirit and soul when speaking about man. What do these words refer to? Are they synonyms, or does each refer to something distinct?
To answer our questions, there are four words, two Hebrew and two Greek, which are translated as spirit and soul into English. They are nephesh and ruach (Hebrew), psuche and pneuma (Greek). This week we will look at the Hebrew words, next week we will examine the Greek.
Continue reading “Spirit and Soul: A look into the Hebrew”Is The Bible Really Full of Errors? Answering The Atheist
If someone has firmly decided that the Bible is untrue and full of errors and discrepancies, convincing them otherwise becomes exceptionally difficult. There is little we can do to help them. Even if we adequately respond to a few supposed contradictions, opponents of the Bible have amassed a seemingly endless supply of apparent discrepancies. What is most unsettling to this writer is that Satan may gain victory over a child of God overwhelmed with a myriad of assumed inconsistencies. Thus, I have determined to begin this additional section in our weekly bulletin – Answering The Atheist.
Continue reading “Is The Bible Really Full of Errors? Answering The Atheist”Is Church Membership Important? The Truth May Surprise You
Does it make any difference what church we are a member of? Is one just as good as the next? Newspapers today tell us to “Join the Church of your choice.” The selection is amazing! There are large groups, small groups, charismatic groups, not so charismatic groups. Groups who use creed books and groups who don’t. Groups who use the Old and New Testament and groups who use only one or the other. The question we need to ask about church membership is not which group I want to assemble with, but rather, which group would God have me assemble with?
Continue reading “Is Church Membership Important? The Truth May Surprise You”