This post appeared in the religion column of our local paper. It was adapted from a post of the same title which I wrote in 2013. It is also available as a podcast here: https://anchor.fm/teague-mckamey/episodes/A-Dragon-in-Lambs-Clothing-e1oos7k *** The Pharisees…. What was eating those guys? Rewind to the period between the Old and New Testaments—Alexander the Great brought many…
Category: Church History
Direct Experience of God? (Part 2)
Please read part one first. This post and the previous post are also available as a podcast: https://anchor.fm/teague-mckamey/episodes/Direct-Experience-of-God-e1ncnna *** In my last post, I gave some history about what has contributed to current beliefs about whether God can be experienced directly. I mentioned I have had direct experiences of God but don’t talk about it…
Direct Experience of God? (Part 1)
Whether or not we can experience God directly is something Christians have discussed and debated since…I don’t know when. I can’t say from biblical times because it is impossible to read the Bible without seeing that the authors expected to experience God directly and did. But somewhere between now and then, this basic expectation changed….
Excommunicated
This post is also available as a podcast: https://anchor.fm/teague-mckamey/episodes/Excommunciated-e1mh1nb “Excommunicate” is a word meaning “exclude from communion.” Ideally, excommunication would be used to eject harmful people from the church as a protective measure. Historically, it has been used for this and for other, less savory reasons. For example: let’s say you’re a powerful church leader…
Abandonment to Divine Providence
Last year, I read, Abandonment to Divine Providence by Jean-Pierre de Caussade, a Jesuit priest (1675-1751 AD). In Abandonment, Caussade explores complete submission to the will of God (“divine providence” being another term for God’s will). Caussade explains, “In this state they give up to God all their rights over themselves, over their words, actions, thoughts, and proceedings;…
A History of Heresy
Recently, I finished a book called A History of Heresy by David Christie-Murray, published in 1976. Christie-Murray has an interesting background: after 27 years of being ordained in the Anglican Church, he resigned orders to join the Society of Friends or Quakers. The book left me unsure whether he is a Christian Quaker or one…
Cyprian and Plague
For a number of years, I have subscribed to Christian History magazine. If you enjoy church history and are not acquainted with Christian History magazine, I highly recommend it. Every issue is beautiful and informative. It is one of many ways I connect with Jesus through His people. I have been reading a special issue…
Jack-o’-lanterns for Jesus
This is a post from years ago that has been on my mind since Hallowe’en is approaching *** Hallowe’en is a contraction derived from “All hallows even,” and marks the beginning of All Saints Day on November 1st. All Saints is a time of commemorating those who have died in the faith. Martin Luther chose…
New Page—Recommended Reading
Many visitors to The Voice of One know this blog site has multiple pages. Most of these contain links to booklets I’ve written about the Lord and scripture. One page is a place where readers can make suggestions, ask questions, or otherwise communicate with me. I wanted to let everyone know I published a new…
Before Your Throne I Now Appear
”Before Your Throne I Now Appear” is a chorale written by Johann Sebastian Bach. It is known as his deathbed chorale because some said he wrote it just before he died. This isn’t far from the truth. It seems an earlier form of the chorale existed. But having suffered a stroke that left him blind,…
The Voice of One 