The Role of Jesus’ Resurrection in Our Sanctification
Introduction The NT has much to say about the importance of Jesus’ resurrection in our sanctification. We are to live daily at the entrance to the empty tomb. Let’s look at four key NT texts on the role of Jesus’ resurrection in our sanctification. Philippians 3:10-11 Paul aimed to know Christ “and the power of […]
Trusting God’s Provision (Exodus 16:4)
When Israel followed Moses through the wilderness, God provided manna for them to eat. There God had said, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction” (Exod 16:4, emphasis […]
By Believing You Have Life in His Name (John 20:30-31)
“And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” The following is a chapter in my upcoming […]
Evidence for the Resurrection: James, the Brother of Jesus
Christians around the world celebrated the day when Jesus rose from the dead. Truthfully, we do that every Sunday, but, by tradition and convention, it’s especially celebrated once a year—Easter Sunday. Why do I believe that Jesus was resurrected? Admittedly, the resurrection is an extraordinary claim. Yes, there are many documented cases of people dying […]
Freedom of Religion and the Coronavirus
Until now, I’ve avoided talking about the American and worldwide response to Covid-19. But when Christians are not free to worship together on Resurrection Sunday, I feel it is time to say something. This is not a party issue. Independents, Libertarians, Democrats, and Republicans all support shelter at home orders. This is not an American […]
Major Ian Thomas on Commitment Confusion
We all have commitments—to family, school, work, church, neighbors, social clubs, and so on. And we’re living at a time when our regular commitments have been widely interrupted. For example, you’re committed to your church, and yet most of us—perhaps all of us—just celebrated Easter at home, because we’re all under quarantine. As a result, […]
Sarcasm, Irony, and Blindness All Rolled Up in One
During the week of Easter, there are many events in the life of the Lord in which Biblical scholars often say the Gospel writers used literary devices. These devices include sarcasm and irony. Many of these scholars do not believe these events actually took place, and the Gospel accounts are to be read simply as […]
“A Single Act of Faith”?
Q. In your blog on Five Differences Between Perseverance of the Saints and Eternal Security, you said that salvation takes a “single act of faith.” Can you address“single act of faith”? I am trying to help people understand that faith is not a decision, and I am probably too pedantic about how we are describing […]
Star Trek Generations, Eschatology, and the Meaning of Life
I recently re-watched Star Trek Generations, the movie that had both Captain Kirk and Captain Picard. I had not seen it since it came out in 1994. It turns out the film is a debate about the meaning of life after death. It’s about eschatology. The plot of Generations centers around an extra-dimensional reality called […]
KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid)
When I was in the military, there was a phrase that we used time and time again. If we were explaining a concept to another person, especially if that person was new to the military, we would say we needed to “keep it simple, stupid.” We called it the KISS principle. The point was that […]