Part Two of this series entitled “You Can’t Go Home Again” ended with the suggestion that Christians should best be envisioned as pilgrims rather than wanderers. Pilgrims are on the move toward a goal. They are not homesteaders, but they do have a destination. If our primary calling is to… Continue reading
In part one of this series, we looked at the universal experience of how difficult it is for us to return to our original “homes” after having been absent for some time. We have changed and so have the people of our hometown, but too often we have not changed… Continue reading
In Thomas Wolfe’s novel You Can’t Go Home Again, author George Webber experiences the painful truth that it’s impossible to return to his hometown and feel “at home.” He has changed, but for the most part, his family and childhood friends are virtually the same. Many of us have experienced… Continue reading
I am shamelessly a fan of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. Although I enjoyed Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” three films, I much prefer the books. Tolkien’s writings were very popular when I was in college. His clever and insightful critique of war, materialism, arrogance, and contempt for… Continue reading
In several places on this blog, I point out that our word “evangelism” comes from the Greek word used in the New Testament for “good news.” The church did not invent the word euaggelion. Roman propaganda used the term to refer to the “good news” brought by the emperor as… Continue reading
I have never enjoyed playing board games or cards. And I have never had much interest in watching competitive sports. The competition involved with such endeavors simply doesn’t interest or inspire me. I am aware that competition can be “friendly” and fun. My grandsons have had very positive experiences in… Continue reading
Throughout this blog I have referred to “the unconditional, indiscriminate, self-giving, and everlasting love of God.” Years ago, when I mentioned this kind of love, a church member asked, “Does God have to love? Can God choose not to love? And what happens if God chooses no longer to love… Continue reading
I am often asked if I believe in the Second Coming. My response is, “l believe in the parousia which is what the New Testament teaches.” Now that is not just a smart-alecky answer. As we shall see, what the New Testament teaches about the parousia (what most call “the… Continue reading
(Parousia is the Greek word used in the New Testament which is commonly understood as the Second Coming. Parousia simply means “presence” or “appearing.” It is one of the metaphors used in the Bible and theology to refer to the fulfillment of God’s purpose for creation. Like all metaphors, it… Continue reading
Read the scripture. Our passage is called a “floating pericope” by New Testament scholars. A pericope is a self-contained passage of Scripture. This familiar story of a woman caught in adultery is not found in most ancient manuscripts. In other manuscripts it’s located in John 7:53-8:11, at the end of… Continue reading
