You’re not good enough. These words stir immediate emotion when we hear them. Imagine yourself at a practice hearing the coach yell these words. You experience a flood of emotion. First, you feel the deep discouragement of the young athlete and then driving disdain toward the coach for such a calloused approach. It’s hard to envision a time when these words would ever be appropriate. They’re certainly unacceptable coming from spouses, management, parents, or teachers. The only person we may excuse for this would be Simon Cowell. Could there be, however, a time when these words are gracious? Read the rest of this entry »
Who do you think I am? Jesus asked this question of His disciples in Matthew 16. After addressing the perspective of others, Peter declares, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’ (v16). Since that discussion, people of every generation have wrestled with this eternally significant question. Critics have worked to undermine the message of Christ. Proponents have worked to proclaim it. In the midst of these voices, however, it’s important to ask the question, Read the rest of this entry »
Did the early Christians force a foreign concept of Messiah into their religious context? Did Jesus answer John the Baptist’s question positively or not? These questions have created controversy within the broader context of biblical studies. Many liberal scholars believed that Jesus could not have viewed Himself to be the Messiah because the concept of Messiah was one that developed later in the early years of Christianity. When Jesus responded to John the Baptist’s question, He did not claim to be the Messiah. So they said. Today, in light of the DSS, those assertions are considered untenable. Read the rest of this entry »
Q. I hear a lot about faith and faith-based organizations; what is faith, really?
A. Depending on the context, faith has two primary meanings in Scripture. First, faith can be described as trust in God. This ‘faith’ is what is commonly misunderstood and misrepresented. Second, faith can be described as the beliefs a person or church hold to be true. Many churches today still have what is called a Confession of Faith. This document outlines the doctrinal positions of the congregation and is (should be) based upon the Bible. Due to the confusion regarding the first description of faith, let’s take a closer look at it. Read the rest of this entry »
Q. Does God cause illness as a punishment for sin? It appears that He does in Deuteronomy 28:22.
A. Yes and No. You are correct that the passage in Deuteronomy reveals a way in which God punishes sin. The passage states, “The Lord will smite you with consumption and fever and with inflammation and with fiery heat . . .” Before entering the Promised Land, Moses reminded the children of Israel of the consequences disobedience would bring. They knew that if they were disobedient, God would discipline and purge.
Similar warnings are given all throughout the Old Testament and even appear in the New Testament. Read the rest of this entry »