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...
And the Spirit was hovering over the waters… (Gen 1:2b) I’ve always been intrigued by the Spirit of God hovering over the watery chaos just before God speaks order into the vast and formless deep. On the one hand we have the watery...
I’ve always been a bit confused by the fact that the disciples weren’t expecting Jesus to come back to life after his brutal death on the cross. At the same time, it’s no surprise because the disciples quite consistent don’t...
The Old Testament is constantly battling to dethrone the myth that power is manifest in human might and strength. The book of Isaiah in particular takes up a polemic against this wrong conceptualization of power. We find this in one of the most...