Abandon Ship!

Over the years, I’ve read things by people who have left the church but continue to identify as Christians. There are a variety of things that lead to such a decision. Some have had bad experiences in the church and are connecting with God elsewhere. Others are reacting to a navel-gazing form of Christianity that…

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The Descending and Ascending One

“Jared was 162 years old when he fathered Enoch” (Gen. 5:18). Jared means “descend, go or come down.” Scripture says, “Enoch walked with God; then he was not because God took him” (Gen. 5:24). It is traditionally understood that Enoch was taken up to heavenly realms. Jared and Enoch picture Christ. Jared shows Christ who…

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Love not Law

“Christ has liberated us to be free.  Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Gal. 5:1) Most Christians know that Christ has freed them somehow.  What does freedom in Christ mean?  In one sense, freedom is defined by what we are freed from.  Galatians 5 helps us see the borders of…

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Despising the Lamb

Painting by Johnny Mays The following is excerpted from my booklet, “Despising the Lamb: Contempt for Christ in First Samuel“ Hophni and Phineas: Priests of Pleasure When Hannah gave her only son to the Lord, Hophni and Phineas were priests (1 Sam. 1:3).  Scripture says Hophni and Phineas were wicked men (1 Sam. 2:12). They…

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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…

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The Divine Plethora

Painting by Van Gough Jesus died and rose again.  The entire Christian faith is comprehended in those few words.  Easy to say but to know, to bow the soul without reserve before Reality…that is another matter. The Holy Spirit is gradually bringing our experience in line with Reality Himself.  Scripture describes this as renewing the…

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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…

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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…

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Prayers to Santa

Our local paper publishes letters to Santa written by children in the community.  Here is one of the more hilarious examples: To Santu, Mii krismislist I wont usiinsset end a ulabkot u snacset.  I wont to sekrokuoil huntr u skoodr bag. (No, your font isn’t scrambled.  I typed it exactly as written).  The letters cover…

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The Manger and the Cross

“It was not so much that His birth cast a shadow on His life, and thus led to His death; it was rather that the Cross was there from the beginning, and it cast its shadow backward to His birth.”          —Fulton Sheen, Life of Christ