Gary Shogrens Blog
Companion essay: "Why would a hurricane hit Texas and Florida and not, for example, Alabama?" As Hurricane Irma approached Florida in September 2017, Latin America awoke to hear a number of its anointed prophets and apostles shouting, "You, Irma, go away!" This is a manifestation of the doctrine known as the Prosperity Gospel, the Rhema... Continue Reading →
Related essay: "False Apostles are Smacked Down by Hurricane Irma!" I offer the following difficult theme with, I hope, all respect to those who suffer and with prayer God’s blessings on the residents of Texas as they pull their lives back from the flood and the Caribbean and Florida and especially Puerto Rico. And we... Continue Reading →
Let’s label this ministry as: “Hi homeless friend! Would you like some breakfast?” On Saturday, I go to the grocer and buy a kilo of local farmer’s cheese, a couple of loaves of bread, and big bottles of iced tea. Then I make up sandwiches for 25 or so people, gather paper cups, 2-3 New... Continue Reading →
Few individuals set out to be heretics. But there are those individuals who believe the devil when he says they will get money, power, cars, houses, sex, bestsellers, huge crowds, lasting fame. "Just give your doctrine a bit of a twist," he whispers, "and in exchange for a few tiny drops of falsehood you'll get a... Continue Reading →
Last week I visited Yad Vashem, the memorial to the more than 6 million Jews who were killed in the Holocaust. I invite the reader to visit their website yadvashem.org, and to study indepth the enormity of the Holocaust, which I cannot begin to describe in this short space. Our wonderful guide, Dani, told about... Continue Reading →
I try, every year, to read the scripture of some other faith. That is, read the books themselves, not just a second-hand analysis of them In 2016 it was the Koran, which I found well worth the read, if a little repetitious. It is about 4/5 the length of the New Testament. In 2017 I... Continue Reading →
No matter what you think; no matter what your favorite pundit tells you; no matter what the majority of your friends believe; no matter if you are Right, Left, Center, or Other: Any word you can tack "ism" to the end of is a potential idol. Anytime you add a hyphen to the word "Christian" (Christian-hyphen-whatever,... Continue Reading →
What does it mean when Paul (quoting Isaiah) says “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived, the things God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Cor 2:9)? Is this a parallel to, for example, 1 Cor 13:12, “For now we see only a... Continue Reading →
Last month I was waiting my turn at the barber shop, and a homeless woman stuck her head in and said she was hungry. I didn't want to lose my place, but I told the barber, "Uh...hold my spot, be right back!" I popped over to the bakery right next door and got her some food... Continue Reading →
