This question comes up frequently in my ministry. There’s something about the story of a worldwide flood and a man beating it out in a boat with all of the animals of the world that makes us wonder: did that really happen? Let me first point out that there are a number of stories in […]
Christian Theology
My thoughts on theology
Why I Believe Atheism Fails
Let me begin by pointing out that some of my friends are atheists. I admire them, and respect their right to believe differently than me. Therefore, anything that I may hold contrary to atheism should not be seen as an indictment against people who are atheists. This article is about a system, not a people. […]
How Do You Explain This?
Just outside of the city of Jerusalem there is an empty grave. What makes this empty grave so unique is that it was not always empty. According to reliable records, an itinerant preacher by the name of Jesus of Nazareth was laid to rest in it just before the Jewish Passover during the early part […]
What Exactly is “Faith?”
For many people, religion is a very peculiar system. To them, it falls into the same class as fairy tales, unicorns, and mythology. It may be a nice story for old women and the uneducated, but for the thinking person it’s not a rational thing. One of the reasons that many think this way is […]
My Citizenship
(This blog was originally posted as a Facebook note on Nov 8, 2012.) Because I was born in this country, the United States considers me its citizen. However, I have a greater, and far more important citizenship. My citizenship is in the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God recognizes no natural or man-made boundaries. […]
Maybe All Religions Are Equally True?
Why should I believe that one religion is better than another? Aren’t they all just systems of faith? How can one person’s faith be more true than another’s? These types of questions are commonly asked very sincerely. In most instances, the questions probably arise from a desire to find peace among differing religious organizations. They […]
Did Paul Hijack Christianity?
Did Christianity take an unexpected turn when Saul of Tarsus rose to a leadership position in the early first century? Did Saul of Tarsus, or Paul, as he became known, hijack Christianity with his own religious influence? Did Paul change the face of Christianity into something that would be unrecognizable to Jesus? Critics of Christianity […]
If Baptized as an Infant, Should I Be Baptized Again?
Not long ago I was asked this very good question. The person asking had been baptized in a ceremony as an infant, but had recently come to faith as an adult. He wanted to know if he needed to be baptized again. Although not everyone baptized as an infant questions this, it is still often asked. As many come […]
Are Tattoos and Body Piercings Sinful?
This question comes up frequently. I think this is because of the rise in popularity of tattoos and body piercings. When I was a small boy, it seemed only gangsters and servicemen had tattoos. Today, grandmothers, choir members, and even preachers are getting them. Many, who would never have considered getting “inked,” are changing their […]
Should Women be Pastors?
This question comes up frequently, but is a little difficult to answer. Not due to a lack of Biblical data, but because I don’t believe the modern church is operating in the same way as the early church. When you’re “comparing apples to oranges” it is hard to talk about how that fruit is used. I also […]