Why did God let Pharaoh think that he was in control? This is one of those parts of the Exodus account that intrigues me. Certainly God could have freed Israel in one fell swoop. Are all those plagues really necessary? If it was the death of the...
God meets our needs to prepare us for greater things. Often times we make the mistake of thinking that God meets our needs for our purposes. He certainly meets our needs because he love us, but his meeting of human needs is never the end game...
The powers of the world are relentless. This comes out in the story of the Exodus. It’s a story we all know so well. One of the more memorable parts of the story is at the end where the walls of water come crashing down on Pharaoh’s army...
The Old Testament prophets always seem to be so angry with God’s people. One time I was leading a BIble study when someone said, “I don’t read the prophetic literature because it’s so full of anger, judgment and wrath. I...
The start of a year is the time to reflect on history. We remember the highlights of the previous year. The good things, the bad things, and perhaps even the mundane things. Each year we look forward, in light of our past, with new goals in mind...
Luke 2:1–21 (ESV) 2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And...
Even while living in Haiti, I’m all too aware of the evangelical frustration with the commercialization of Christmas. “It’s not about presents, it’s about Jesus!”. Even this, you see, God has redeemed. It’s hard to admit that secular and capitalist...
Isaiah 40–55 is one of the most fascinating texts found in the Scriptures. In this section of Isaiah God both describes and promises redemption for his people. Upon doing so, he launches into a polemic against false gods created by man. Something...
I wanted to share this post by Ben Witherington III
For leisure I’m currently reading on ancient Chinese religion and philosophy that developed during the Warring States period (roughly the just a few centuries leading up to the birth of Christ). This is the period in which Confucianism an...