Gary Shogren's Blog
There is a subset of Bible teachers who are certain they have all the answers. “The Bible is God’s Truth!" they say. “I preach the Bible!” they say. “Therefore, I have all the answers!” they say. They do not say “I do not know what the Bible says” or "The Bible doesn't speak to this... Continue Reading →
If you have Spanish-speaking friends in the Chester, Pennsylvania area, we have an evangelistic/discipleship Bible study every other Tuesday night at 6pm, at North Chester Baptist. We are told that Chester alone has over 9 thousand Hispanic residents. Plus, we have people driving in from other areas, including Delaware. We are currently studying the Gospel... Continue Reading →
He was fully human, not a newly created zygote (despite the ancient/revived error that he was not genetically related to Mary). [1] Literal, genetic son of Mary – she was not a "surrogate mother" or a borrowed womb, but the true mother. Son of Mary, thus, Son of David. Thus, Son of Judah. Thus, Son... Continue Reading →
James 1:19 applies to laypeople. It also applies to pastors, although some disbelieve it. Or rather, it should apply to pastors even more notably, to give an EXAMPLE to laypeople! Christian counselors? The same. The following is a bit gossipy, but I think justifiable. I was at a diner a couple of months ago. Two... Continue Reading →
I grew up with that gospel chorus (by James M. Gray, president of Moody Bible Institute) and I think I know where he was coming from. But let’s carefully unpack its repeated motif: I 'm only a sinner saved by grace or we could say - I am [present tense] only [no more than] a... Continue Reading →
A speech I gave in January 2023, to celebrate Seminario ESEPA's 40 anniversary; several of the former rectors spoke during the week. Graduation speeches are a mixed bag at best. But I did hear a fine one at my high school in 1977; one of his counsels for the graduates was: “Extend your education, both... Continue Reading →
A presentation given at an ESEPA conference in April 2021. The original Spanish version is found on my other blog under the title “La Lectura Oral de las Escrituras en la Iglesia Primitiva y en la Actualidad.” And you may download it as a pdf file: oral-reading-of-scripture-in-the-early-church-and-todayDownload Summary: In the early church, extensive oral scripture... Continue Reading →
Every week I spend perhaps an hour, responding to spiritual or theological questions that people send me by Messenger or email or through my blogs. Some weeks there are many questions. And believe me, I am pleased that people would ask. I am guided in this by my three "Patron Saints of Answering Questions." Bruce... Continue Reading →
In another place I have written about two churches I have visited that gave a broad weekly invitation for all members to participate in leading worship. I have also written on the related theme of the Priesthood of all Believers. As we hear so often, “The church is not the building, but the congregation.” That... Continue Reading →
Scenario #1. At the Jersey shore in July, 2020, people ran in and saved a drowning man. They were at a beach wedding and saw the situation; they hauled him out and one man performed CPR and revived him. I saw it on the Philly news, and asked myself: Would I have taken that risk... Continue Reading →
Open Our Eyes, Lord! 