Many an atheist contends that the invisible God is nothing more than a figment of the imagination. How could any intelligent person believe in something that presents no proof that it exists? Imagine. Laying aside the naturalistic naïveté of this limited kind of thinking, let’s humor the atheist for a moment. Imagine if the invisible God did, in fact, choose to be silent rather than to disclose Himself. Imagine if Hebrews 1.1-2 were not true—that this invisible, infinite-personal, sovereign ... Read More
Let the Word Dwell in You: Why It Matters
When asked by Roman Christians how God could allow a Christian empire to fall, Augustine wisely responded that Rome had not become a Christian empire under Constantine, nor did Rome fall because—as some had alleged—she turned away from her protective pagan deities. Augustine argued that, if anything, Rome fell because her turn to the God of truth was too late. So, what does the implosion of fifth century Rome have to do with our twenty-first century society? Well, as the writer of ... Read More
Choose Life: Let the Word Dwell in You.
Jesus taught that what’s in you will come out. Actually, he put it this way, A good man produces good out of the good storeroom of his heart. An evil man produces evil out of the evil storeroom, for his mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. Luke 6.45 This inescapable fact is what prompted Nicodemus to ask Jesus, “How can anyone be born when he is old?” (John 3.4) Nicodemus was keenly aware that no one could be something he is not simply by willing it. Jesus’ reply communicates ... Read More
God Still Speaks to Us.
Look anywhere around you and you’ll see the declaration of the glory of God. That’s because the God who created the heavens and the earth also created human beings to cover the earth with His image as the waters cover the sea (Gen 1.26-28; Isa 11.9; Hab 2.14). God’s image bearers image Him by shaping the world He created for the express purpose of displaying His own many-splendored glory. Communication from this Almighty God is obviously important—regardless of how many of His image bearers ... Read More
Does Context Matter? #1
The apostle Paul instructed Timothy to be diligent in properly handling God’s self-revelation (2 Tim 2.15). One can hope for a legitimate interpretation of any communication only when that message is understood in its context. Here are a few examples of passages that are commonly misinterpreted as a result of removing them from their biblical contexts. Stay tuned; we’ll look at others in the future. Genesis 31.49 “. . . May the Lord watch between you and me when we are out of each other's ... Read More