Did Paul Tell Women to ‘Shut Up’ in Church?
I have been somewhat taken aback by the volume of material posted over the last four or five months regarding the oppression of women in the body of Christ. To my shame, I did not recognize this was as widespread an issue as it seems to be. The pervasiveness of the issue is clearly evinced…
Read MoreHe Emptied Himself
There are times when I believe western society could not be further removed from what Jesus calls us to be. The call, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ”1 rings hollow and cliché. We strive, rather, for advancement, comfort, status, making a name for ourselves. This is not the way of Christ. For you know the grace…
Read MoreHindered Prayers
“Text out of context is pretext,” our instructor said with resounding forcefulness. He was right, of course, and much misinterpretation of scripture has resulted from passages being ripped from their context and twisted to mean something wholly other than what was originally intended. Take prayer as an example. The Bible speaks extensively of prayer, how…
Read MoreOvercomers
I was once asked if I believed in the power of prayer. “No,” I answered. “I do not. But I believe unswervingly in the power of the one to whom I pray.” Similarly, I do not believe in “the Bible’s promises,” but I believe unswervingly in the one who made those promises that are recorded…
Read MoreBe Holy
Where scripture is concerned, saying it one time is sufficient, but when we are instructed repeatedly1 to engage the same behavior, we can safely reference that as a biblical mandate. “Be holy, for I am holy.” But what does that even mean? In truth, “holy” is such a simple term, but is has been so misused,…
Read MoreIf I Perish, I Perish
I’m not afraid of dying. I fear pain, but not death. Indeed, the older I grow, the more I understand the apostle Paul’s statement that he’s torn between dying and being at home with the Lord, and staying here for the sake of those left behind. Go, gather all the Jews to be found in…
Read MoreTwo Key Descriptors of a Christ-Follower
One of the more profound texts in the New Testament is found in 1 Corinthians 6:11 – “And such were some of you…” Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves,…
Read MoreWhat Is God’s Will for Me?
I cannot count the times I have been told something along the lines of, “I just want to know God’s will for my life.” The sentiment is expressed in a variety of ways, and at times I have articulated that same desire. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your…
Read MoreRemembering
Do you reread books? If so, is it because the book was so good you needed to read it again? Or, perhaps it is because the book contained excellent, useful material that you wanted to solidify in your learning? I have reread several books for a variety of reasons, including those above. Some books are…
Read MoreFellowship – It’s More Than Just a Meal
As I write this, I’m working on a manuscript chapter on being devoted to the fellowship, one of four basic devotions we read about in Acts 2:42. In that context, the disciples were devoted to one another, and part of that devotion involved something called fellowship. Fellowship, κοινωνία (koinonia), goes well beyond “hanging out” together…
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