What would you think is the most righteous sacrifice a person could offer to God—to sacrifice our life? Sacrificing one's life for another is the greatest LOVE according to Jesus (John 15:13). The NKJV translation of Psalm 4:5 says, "Offer the sacrifices of righteousness and put your trust in the Lord." This translation makes it … Continue reading The most righteous thing?
Category: Bible Study
Lesson Summary–21st Sunday after Pentecost
The readings are from Amos 5:6-7, 10-15; Hebrews 3:12-19; and Mark 10:17-22. Amos reports that powerful people abuse the poor but God’s justice will prevail. God warns and inspires people toward goodness and away from evil. In Hebrews Paul warns against letting our old, evil, unbelieving heart remain in us, and urges us to urge … Continue reading Lesson Summary–21st Sunday after Pentecost
Lesson Summary–20th Sunday after Pentecost
The lessons for the 20th Sunday after Pentecost are from Genesis 2, Hebrews 2, and Mark 10. In Genesis God says it is not good for man to be alone. God will make a helper to remain before him. In Hebrews Paul warns us to pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we … Continue reading Lesson Summary–20th Sunday after Pentecost
Podcast: Parables as sequential, not repetitive
In the final episode of this mini-series on my new book, The Parabolic Universe, we consider some parables of Jesus that are often considered repetitive. Are they, really? Or are they sequential, providing more wisdom with each successive story? We take a close look at the text of Matthew 13 (treasure in the field, pearl of … Continue reading Podcast: Parables as sequential, not repetitive
Podcast: Parables explained
In part 3 of the mini-series about the parabolic universe, we're taking a look at some parables of Jesus, going from the simple to those that are seemingly impossible to understand. These include the parable of the sower, the wise and foolish virgins, and the unfaithful steward. What are we to make of these? This … Continue reading Podcast: Parables explained
Podcast: The Parabolic Universe, pt. 2
As we continue this mini-series on the parabolic universe, this episode looks specifically at hermeneutics--the study of what the source intends the reader to understand (including translation and explanation). How do we rightly understand parables and how to apply them? We look into two ancient schools of thought, and consider Jesus' talk of bread in … Continue reading Podcast: The Parabolic Universe, pt. 2
Podcast: The Parabolic Universe
This episode is an introduction to my new book, The Parabolic Universe, a consideration of how God reveals Himself in nature. In the past few hundred years, the church has abandoned nature as bearing witness to God. Why is that? Think about Bible passages such as Psalm 19 and Romans 1. Where in nature can we … Continue reading Podcast: The Parabolic Universe
Podcast: Is salvation relational?
In the latest episode of the "How Salvation Works" series, let's consider salvation as a result of connectedness/inseparability. Is salvation a result of what we are connected to? Think about marriage as an example, or the relationship of a mother and child. There are excellent passages in the book of John that demonstrate this truth … Continue reading Podcast: Is salvation relational?
Rest Well
The readings for this past Sunday were from the One Year Lectionary for the First Sunday after Trinity (Sunday). The Old Testament was Genesis 15:1-6 where God, again, tells Abraham that he will have a son by Sarah who will be his heir. The Gospel lesson was Luke 16:19-31, which is about Lazarus and the … Continue reading Rest Well
Podcast: Does God change His mind?
There are some passages in the Bible--Exodus 32 and Numbers 14:20 are two such instances--that seem to indicate that God repents, or changes His mind. A student inquires about this. We consider the original Hebrew word, and discuss what to do when we encounter words in the Bible with uncertain meaning. A follow-up question we … Continue reading Podcast: Does God change His mind?