We who are in the church, especially pastors and denominational executives, have a vested interest in maintaining the church as it currently exists. Of course we’d like our church and/or denomination to grow, but what we mean is that we would like more of what it already is, more of the same kind of people, more resources, etc. What we really want is a better status quo, churches like the ones we have, but bigger. But is that what God wants or what God is doing at this time in history? It doesn’t seem to be. The church plural is in crisis. I don’t have a magic solution for this problem, but it is worth discussing, worth facing up to some harsh realities, and taking stock. Which is better: harsh realities or false hope? …
Category: Christianity
Issues and opinions about Christianity
Baking For Jesus
The Error The thing that God doesn’t like is the failure to acknowledge His holiness, His wholeness. The failure to see the wholeness of a thing is the failure to see its essential character because it is its wholeness that…
Racism
“The real divisions in humanity are moral and cultural, not genetic or racial. This is not just true in the contemporary age, it has always been true from the day that Cain slew Abel. So, why did Cain slay Abel?…
Seed
Again, Paul made much ado about σπέρμα (sperma), which is a plural noun used in the singular. Understanding how Paul used this term and what he meant by it is essential to understanding Paul’s message to the Galatians. The law…
Now On Kindle
Arsy Varsy–Reclaiming the Gospel in First Corinthians — $4.99 Varsy Arsy–Proclaiming the Gospel in Second Corinthians — $4.99 You can also download the introduction and first chapters here: Arsy Varsy–Reclaiming the Gospel in First Corinthians (PDF) Varsy Arsy–Proclaiming the Gospel…
Moral Freedom
The following is a response to: The Real Issue (that no one wants to talk about) To argue that the real issue for homosexual detractors is personal revulsion is an important concern, but it is not the real issue for…
Wickedness
Christians are also called to stand against what the Authorized Version calls spiritual wickedness (πονηρία), and the English Standard Version calls spiritual forces of evil. Again, note that we are not called to oppose people, flesh and blood, but wrong…
Rhema–Tongues
How this washing takes place is significant. It happens “by the washing of water with the word” (ῥῆμα, Eph. 5:26). This phrase by itself is odd at best. Paul used the analogy of marriage to talk about the church, which…
Eucharist
“giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” —Ephesians 5:20 When Paul directed Christians to give thanks always and for everything, he used the word Eucharist (εὐχαριστέω). The word is…
Leadership Vision
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. –Ephesians 5:11 Paul’s solution to the sin problem is exposure to the light of Christ. The Authorized Version translated it as reprove (ἐλέγχω, v. 11), and elsewhere…