We experience time in a linear fashion—a line which moves from past to present and toward an unknown future. The past is gone and can never be visited. The future does not yet exist and therefore cannot be experienced. However, the transcendent God “experiences” all of time simultaneously. Continue reading
In the end of all things is their beginning, and only from the perspective of the end can one know what they are, why they have been made, and who the God is who has called them from nothingness. From the perspective of eternity, the end comes first and the… Continue reading
Almost fifty years ago a friend of ours recommended a book for Christmas entitled “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” Many of you may be familiar with the book. It’s the story of the six Herdman kids, the most God-awful children in the world. Among their many crimes were burning down… Continue reading
The third Sunday of Advent is associated with joy. The angel at Jesus’ birth told the shepherds that he was bringing them “good news of great joy which will come to all people.” The last night of Jesus’ life on earth, as he spoke to his disciples about abiding in… Continue reading
Micah 5:1-4a; Luke 1:39-55 The Second Sunday in Advent is known as Peace Sunday. It is a time for churches to consider the peace Christ brings to our world in the Christmas season. In the Nativity stories the angels speak of “peace on earth.” Mary sings in her Magnificat about… Continue reading
We usually think of Advent as a time preparing us for the birth of Jesus—for that coming of Jesus as a newborn babe some 2000 years ago. But traditionally within the church Advent has had a deeper and broader meaning than just Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. In fact, we could… Continue reading
We’ve all seen the bumper sticker which reads, “The Bible says it; I believe it; and that settles it!” And many of us have been “blessed” by Christians who constantly remind us, “The Bible says. . .” This article addresses both claims. A more truthful and humble way of rewording… Continue reading
The following is a prayer I wrote several years ago which we have used at our family Thanksgiving meals. I share it with the hope that some readers may find it meaningful during this Thanksgiving season. Gracious God, we come to this table to give you thanks—thanks for the gift… Continue reading
Imagine what it would be like if a congregation prayed with everyone’s head raised and eyes open seeing, not just looking but actually seeing, each other through the lens of wondrous love. Continue reading
(17 minutes) If we are enslaved by sin, how can we become free? How does God “save” us through the Christ Event (Jesus’ incarnation, life, teachings, deeds, death, resurrection, and ascension). In the previous article, I rejected the dominant theory of atonement in Western Christianity known as Penal Substitutionary Atonement… Continue reading
