This post contains some references to sexual assault and some might find it disturbing. Recently, I have been thinking about the story the Roman historian Plutarch tells that the night before he crossed the Rubicon Julius Caesar had a dream in which his mother "submitted" to his sexual penetration. To us this sounds like a... Continue Reading →
Text for the Week: No More
Scripture: Galatians 3:21-29 21 Is the law then opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could make alive, then righteousness would indeed come through the law. 22 But the scripture has imprisoned all things under the power of sin, so that what was promised through the faith of... Continue Reading →
Text for the Week: The Cost of Greed
Scripture: Luke 16:19-31 19 “There was a certain rich man who clothed himself in purple and fine linen, and who feasted luxuriously every day. 20 At his gate lay a certain poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. 21 Lazarus longed to eat the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Instead, dogs would come... Continue Reading →
Text for the Week: The Gift of Encouragement
Scripture: Acts 4:32-37 32 The community of believers was one in heart and mind. None of them would say, “This is mine!” about any of their possessions, but held everything in common. 33 The apostles continued to bear powerful witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and an abundance of grace was at work among them... Continue Reading →
Text for the Week: Impacting Your Circle
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 From Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy. To the Thessalonians’ church that is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace and peace to all of you. 2 We always thank God for all of you when we mention you constantly in our prayers. 3 This is because we remember your work that... Continue Reading →
Did Jesus Use Unleavened Bread?
I was asked this week whether or not the bread that Jesus used at the Last Supper was leavened or not. And while we understand that Jesus' death coincided with the Feast of Passover (or Unleavened Bread) the answer to this question is not straightforward. The reason is that in the four explicit descriptions of... Continue Reading →
Text for the Week: Words Lead to Life
Scripture: Matthew 8:1-13 Now when Jesus had come down from the mountain, large crowds followed him. 2 A man with a skin disease came, kneeled before him, and said, “Lord, if you want, you can make me clean.” 3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched him, saying, “I do want to. Become clean.” Instantly his skin... Continue Reading →
Matthew 1:25- What does it say?
I was asked today if Matthew 1:25 impacts the Roman Catholic claim of Mary's perpetual virginity. And when I'm asked these types of questions I like to answer them here because I figure if one person is willing to ask me this there are probably others who are thinking about it. If you simply want... Continue Reading →
Text for the Week: The Proper Foundation
Scripture: Matthew 7:21-29 21 “Not everybody who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will get into the kingdom of heaven. Only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 On the Judgment Day, many people will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name and expel demons in... Continue Reading →
Text for the week: Finding the Right Path
Scripture: Matthew 7:13-20 13 “Go in through the narrow gate. The gate that leads to destruction is broad and the road wide, so many people enter through it. 14 But the gate that leads to life is narrow and the road difficult, so few people find it. 15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you dressed... Continue Reading →
Squinting in the Light 