I have been thinking about Apollos. Yes, In the book of Acts he was just a blip within a greater narrative. However, what was written in that book is a highly condensed and we can grow much from his story. “And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in […]
Thou Shalt Be Strange
Are Christians supposed to be “peculiar people?” At first blush this might seem true, and it is in some ways (1). However, it is false if one means that we have to be “strange”, “weird”, or “peculiar.” Biblical exegesis seems to be the issue here, the Bible passages are being confused on who is doing […]
Vulnerability And The Christian
God’s wisdom. God has greater wisdom than us, when he commands we should follow even if it goes against what we feel would be wise. Being a Christian is a vulnerable position. It is not a “bed of roses.” There may be persecution and hardship. Can we expect less if Christ and the Apostles went […]
Post Reverberations From Ham vs. Nye
I once talked to one who had a graduate degree in geology. He told me that one can’t be a scientist without believing in evolution. While I already posted some of my thoughts concerning Ham’s and Nye’s debate, I want to take up this specific issue. After listening to Nye and many others in the […]
Words, Actions and Enjoyments of Some Professing Christians
It confuses and concerns me to see a professing Christian use profanity and blasphemy with no remorse (1). Also, it is disconcerting when professing followers of Christ do actions that the Scriptures teach as evil. Some openly enjoy sin, immorality and evil with no remorse or desire to flee these worldly and sinful things that we […]
Uniformity Versus Biblical Unity
Uniformity does not constitute unity. When Christian fellowship is dependent upon extra-biblical uniformity, the source of division does not lay at the feet of those who do not abide by these demands, but rather the demanders. On the other hand, when scriptural directives are pronounced as unnecessary or even wrong, the transcendence of biblical directives […]
Reason or Faith…Is Reason at War With Faith?
As if these are antithesis of each other, many, both Christian and atheist, feel reason and faith are incompatible. Even Mark Twain said “Faith is believing something you know ain’t true.” Tim Minchin, a well known performer said “Science adjusts its views based on what’s observed. Faith is the denial of observation so that belief can be preserved.” […]
STOP: Drop Your Mind Off Before Entering Church
For some Christians, I think they view that a “simple faith” or “blind faith” is a building block of Christianity. However, I am not even sure what that means by those who use it. Does it mean we should have no knowledge or reason, or in other words we should be “anti-intellectual“? If so, it […]
The “Man’s Reasoning” Fallacy
I have heard it said by those who are trying to be Christianly pious, in the best sense of the word, that we should not be using “man’s reasoning.” I assume this is said to sway another from a supposed anti-biblical view. Are they against “man’s reasoning”? I think not. It seems that it is […]
Santa Claus Christianity
“The most wonderful time of the year” projects many kid’s imaginations into the realm of fantasy with Santa and the elves. Unfortunately, many Christian adults also have the same view of the Bible, it is fantasy. Now they would never say that, but their “reasoning” affirms this view. Some of my past students believe the […]