Ministering to the poor and homeless is not the gospel. Speaking in tongues, prophesying, and moving in other gifts is not the gospel. Pro-Christian political activism is not the gospel. Intercessory prayer is not the gospel. Healings and miracles are not the gospel. Tradition is not the gospel. Creation care is not the gospel. Evangelizing…
Category: The Gospel
One from Your Own Body
In Genesis 15, Abram laments that he has no son, and that a household servant will be his heir. But the Lord said, “This one will not be your heir; instead, one who comes from your own body will be your heir” (Gen. 15:4). Isaac was the immediate fulfillment of the Lord’s promise to Abram….
Brothers and Covenants
Genesis chapter four discusses Cain and Abel, Adam and Eve’s first sons. Cain means, “Acquired,” as Eve says, “With the LORD’s help I have acquired a male” (Gen. 4:1). Abel is derived from a word meaning, “Son.” Cain “worked the ground” and offered the Lord produce (Gen. 4:2-3). Abel offered firstborn animals (especially their fat…
Sheep, Children, and Bumblebees
Scripture says we are sheep and need to be like children (John 10:14; Matt. 18:1-2). Neither of these are flattering images. Sheep must be led. I’ve heard sheep can’t care for themselves or find food and water without help. If this isn’t entirely true of sheep it’s definitely true of children. Kids are loved but…
New-Years-Resolution Christianity
January 1st marks the beginning of the new year in many countries. Some observe this holiday by making a new year’s resolution. A new year’s resolution is a promise to change something about your life (usually for the better). People resolve any number of things: to exercise more, to have better boundaries, to spend…
I’m Gettin’ Nuttin’ for Christmas
Last December, I had to discipline my four year old son. (I can’t even remember why). I could not have guessed what happened next. He teared up and asked if he would still get Christmas presents. I was shocked. My wife and I *never* leveraged Christmas gifts to get our kids to behave. Why…
Our Favorite Whipping Boy
But when I saw that they were deviating from the truth of the gospel, I told Cephas in front of everyone, “If you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel Gentiles to live like Jews?” (Gal. 2:14). Peter (AKA Cephas)…. It’s always Peter, right? All…
The Voice of One 