When I open the Bible and see things that seem too harsh or too merciful, too strict or too easy, counterintuitive or surprising or even shocking, then I dare to hope that the Spirit is about to lead me away from my truths to a deeper grasp of his Truth.
My four decades in the Bible – Part II
Please read Part I before starting Part II; click HERE Chapter Three – My Sojourn in Pentecostalism Until I turned 14, the only charismatic person I knew anything about was JFK. Since then I have been charismatic (one year, give or take); then post-charismatic; anti-charismatic; teacher of charismatics; bridge-builder with charismatics; regular spokesman against neo-Pentecostals... Continue Reading →
My four-plus decades in the Bible – Part I
In September 1972, I picked up a Bible, opened it and began to read it for myself. To be sure, I had grown up in a Bible-believing Baptist church. I went to Sunday School, memorized Bible verses, could recite the books of the Bible. I knew what Revelation was about and the basic plot of... Continue Reading →
The Lord’s Supper: one invitation you don’t want to miss [Studies in 1 Corinthians]
In the Catholic church, the celebration of mass is the high point of the week’s services, and the worship service is often simply called "the mass". Some Protestant worship services, too, focus on the sacrament, notably in Episcopalian/Anglican churches. In reacting against Rome have we evangelicals drifted away from the Bible and pushed communion into... Continue Reading →
I’m a Dad – what does God want me to do?
What exactly is a father supposed to do? Ask a dozen people and you’ll get two dozen answers. As a Christian, I believe that God wants me to walk a certain path that the rest of the world doesn’t follow, and that includes how I should live as a father (or a husband, or teacher,... Continue Reading →
‘Dad, are you my priest?’ The role of the father in the Christian home
They keep telling me that the Christian father is the priest of the family. On the other hand, I search the Scriptures and I can’t find any command for him to be a priest; any indication that the father performs the essential duties of a priest; any hint that Dad is a priest in some... Continue Reading →
Go right to the Bible! by special guest writer, Karen Shogren
I offered to teach my hairdresser how to study the Bible. Her counteroffer: every Thursday she’d close up shop and I’d teach her entire staff! “Now, we’re all from different backgrounds,” she said. “But you’re going to teach about us how to study the Bible for ourselves, not promote a specific denomination, right?” Next Stop:... Continue Reading →
The theology of the chocolate sampler [Studies in 1 Corinthians]
One day you bring me a large, beautiful box of chocolates. There are all kinds, too, every type imaginable: some with nuts or cookies or caramel; some with raisins or cherries or other fruits; some with dark or light or white chocolate or a mixture. It’s the wide variety that makes it so impressive –... Continue Reading →
How I have devotions
Part of my traditional New England upbringing was to learn to maintain boundaries between private issues, family matters, and public information. When I asked my parents what they were talking about, at times I heard, “Well, it doesn’t concern you.” Nothing gruff, like “it’s none of your business,” no “you wouldn’t understand.” Just, “if you needed to... Continue Reading →
Bible Commentaries and Dictionaries, a word of advice from Logos and myself
Kyle Anderson from Logos software just published a fine article on how to use Bible dictionaries. He warns against simply reaching for a commentary when we are studying the Bible. I heartily applaud this basic sentiment. As Christians, we are supposed to be enjoying the Bible, not reading the tale of how some other person... Continue Reading →
Open Our Eyes, Lord! 