While poking around on the internet I ended up briefly at the website of The Gospel Coalition and saw an article titled "The Hypocrisy of Phariseephobia." As anyone who reads this blog could tell you, hypocrisy and Pharisees are two words that I've recently given a lot of thought. So I curiously clicked and read … Continue reading Somebody gets it
sin
On getting close to the gospel
Jesus once told a man that he was pretty close to the kingdom of God. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question. Mark 12:34 That man had just demonstrated an understood … Continue reading On getting close to the gospel
Explaining the concept of secular phariseeism
I long held pretty standard views of Jesus' confrontation of the Pharisees. My view has shifted slightly, or rather has expanded to allow room for identifying all self-righteous individuals and points of view as having a close relationship to the Pharisees of Jesus day. We remember that Jesus warned his disciples “beware of the leaven … Continue reading Explaining the concept of secular phariseeism
God disciplines individuals and nations
In Psalm 38, the writer acknowledges his sin and the fact that he is being disciplined by God. He asks God not to rebuke him, or perhaps to finish rebuking him, since there is no doubt in the writer's mind that he is suffering God's righteous discipline. The psalmist also says that, although his punishment … Continue reading God disciplines individuals and nations
We need to talk about Charlottesville
We need to talk about Charlottesville. The national conversation following the violence in Charlottesville is appalling. I was working so much when it happened and the days following that it has taken me some time to get up to speed on what actually happened. One of my disappointments is that everyone seemed to want to … Continue reading We need to talk about Charlottesville
The lost art of being light
Maybe this title is overly dramatic, but maybe not. The followers of Christ are called to be light in the world. This is both the example and the instruction he has left us. It is confirmed by the apostles, and unfortunately, contradicted by some common notions in the American church today. Jesus answered, Are there … Continue reading The lost art of being light
Reclaiming… Justice
Reclaiming the Biblical Doctrine of Sin There is a need today for the Christian church to return to a clear affirmation of the bible's teaching about sin. It simply won't do to be vague and unclear about these things. The truth about sin is - No, wait, hold on. There are lots of important things … Continue reading Reclaiming… Justice
Using the wrong tools
Working in the building trades as I do, I occasionally have the experience of needing a particular tool, but not having it on hand. Often enough some temporary solution can be improvised, it just takes a little creativity. There can even be some satisfaction in finding a way to get the job done without the … Continue reading Using the wrong tools
Are we forgetting something?
Here's a brief thought based on the first chapter of 2 Peter. In this chapter the apostle Peter expresses a desire for grace and peace to be abundant in the lives of the believers. After making reference to the tremendous promises God has given, us Peter tells us how we should respond to these things. … Continue reading Are we forgetting something?
Two witnesses
Warning labels are so common in modern life. We see them all over the place. Sometimes I make fun of them. Other times I reason that if there's no warning label, it must be safe. That's a dangerous line of thinking. Consider the instruction that Ezekiel received from God: And it came to pass at … Continue reading Two witnesses
Seen a Great Light 