Icon of the Apostle John When the holy Evangelist John had lived to extreme old age in Ephesus, he could be carried only with difficulty by the hands of the disciples, and as he was not able to pronounce more words, he was accustomed to say at every assembly, “Little children, love one another.” At…
Category: New Testament
Interpretive Hypocrisy
At a men’s group this morning, we discussed how to interpret the Bible. Our conversation reminded me of a booklet I wrote: “This Is What Is Written: What the Scriptures Say about Their Interpretation.” Below is the introduction: For most Christians, how to interpret the scriptures is central to their beliefs. After all, the way someone interprets…
A Demon’s Advice on Prayer
Recently, I began re-reading CS Lewis’s classic, The Screwtape Letters. For the uninitiated, Screwtape is a series of letters in which a senior demon, Screwtape, instructs a junior demon, Wormwood, on the finer points of capturing a human soul. The letters begin when Wormwood’s subject is an atheist; they end after Wormwood’s subject becomes a Christian and later…
The Bible: So Attacked It’s a Sin
Around Christmas, a Newsweek article by Kurt Eichenwald made quite a stir. It was entitled, “The Bible: So Misunderstood It’s a Sin.” It’s a 20-ish paged assault on the Bible in which the author parades a prejudiced ignorance of biblical history and translation. I pray no one is taking it seriously or is troubled by…
Crossroads
We’re familiar with the rich young ruler who approached Jesus about salvation. He went away sad because Jesus told him to sell everything he had, give it to the poor, and follow (Mark 10:17-22). This is the same call Jesus gives His disciples in Luke 9:23–“If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny…
Another Face in the Crowd
Minions from Despicable Me Most of the time, I don’t feel very spiritual. I feel average. My day is filled with mundane things like brushing my teeth, going to work, caring for kids, taking out the garbage, etc. Amidst daily responsibilities and stressors, sometimes I keep my humor, sometimes I don’t. On occasion I’m a shining…
Come!
Revelation ends with an invitation: “Both the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ Anyone who hears should say, ‘Come!’” (Rev. 22:17). I’ve often heard that the Spirit and the bride are saying “Come” to Jesus. But the next sentence says, “And the one who is thirsty should come.” John does say, “AMEN! Come Lord Jesus”…
Linus Nails It
“And there were in the same country shepherds, abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them! And they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not! For, behold, I…
O Holy Night
I am a rabid Christmas carol fan. (Is it even right to say that? LOL). The day after Thanksgiving you’ll find an (almost) unbroken stream/flood of carols coming from my home and car stereos. Thanks be to God the place I work plays carols all season long as well. I love the deluge of worship…
Ever Change from Carbon to Chlorine-Based? Me Neither…
The day after Thanksgiving, a change came over our house. A small tree decked with lights and decorations appeared in the front window. Stockings lined up on the hearth. Various nooks and crannies were surprised to find snowmen and Santas loitering in them. Carols began pouring from the family room stereo. The Christmas…
The Voice of One 