Algebra 201 (Mark 9:9)
It has been a long time since I studied algebra in college. One thing I remember, though, is that you learn algebra in steps. When I see a long, complicated algebraic problem with all its x’s and y’s, I remember that you had to go through those steps in order to solve it. The teacher […]
Comfort One Another with the Rapture and Resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4:18)
Have you ever noticed that when people panic, they stop thinking clearly? I remember making a short film with some high school friends. We were shooting in a dry field at the edge of a forest. As the director set up his camera, I got bored and started a teeny tiny fire with a handful […]
33 Is Better Than 1 (Ephesians 1:3)
Many years ago, in a seminary class, we were required to read Lewis S. Chafer’s Systematic Theology. In one part, he said that when a person believes in Jesus Christ, he receives 33 blessings from God. When we believe, we receive more than eternal life! As a general observation, this point is one that often […]
Three Biblical Proofs that the Holy Spirit Is a Person Not a Thing
What is the Holy Spirit? Is the Spirit an impersonal force like electricity or gravity, or is He a person? Traditionally, the early Christians concluded the Holy Spirit was a person. But is there any Biblical evidence to support that conclusion? I think there is. Of course, it depends on how you define the word […]
Are Good Works Needed to Prove You Are a True Believer?
A reader named CM sent in this interesting email. There is an implicit question at the end regarding faith and works. Repenting is turning away from sin by turning to Christ. Jesus said, “either you are with Me, or you or against Me”. Faith is a decision to respond to the gospel; acknowledging that our […]
Covid Proved More Difficult Than I Had Expected
On May 17 I tested positive for Covid-19. I had come down with chills and a headache a few days before that. The five days or so were not too bad. But then I began to experience strong fatigue, and I lost my interest in eating. Sharon tested positive last week. She has been nearly […]
Stir Up Love and Good Works in One Another (Hebrews 10:24)
Normal church life is active. Christians should not be passively inhabiting the pews. We live for Christ 24/7, serving Him in all that we do. And that means the churches ought to be actively loving and serving and doing good, often in the face of enormous challenges. But with any activity, people often need encouragement […]
Can You Choose Not to Believe?
Question I’ve gotten a little confused regarding faith not being a choice. Say, for example, someone believes Jesus is the Christ, believes that He gives eternal life to everyone who believes in Him for it, but refuses to believe in Him for it. Wouldn’t that be a choice? Because that person understands and believes that […]
Do Infants Go with Their Believing Parents in the Rapture?
Philip asks: My wife and I have a toddler, and my wife is pregnant with number two. Such a blessing! Currently neither of our children is capable of understanding the gospel, and therefore have not believed. What would happen to their souls if the Rapture were to happen tomorrow? I have read some people on […]
Does God Answer Your Prayer About Suffering with Silence?
Q. To follow up your blog on Proverbs and the days of evil, why do you think God answers our prayers with silence? Why would He do that, especially when we’re suffering and so desperate for answers? A. Thanks for letting me clarify. I disagree with the premise that God answers those prayers with silence. […]