In Fyodor Dostoevsky’s masterpiece The Brothers Karamazov, we find a remarkable statement: “In the realist, faith is not born from miracles, but miracles from faith.” I have been puzzled for years over the miracle stories of Jesus. He healed all kinds of people with all kinds of diseases. He calmed… Continue reading
“Grace and peace to you from the God who is, who was, and who is coming.” John begins his letter to the churches of Asia Minor with this powerful and meaning-packed greeting. And he has chosen his words very carefully, for John, more than any other writer of the New… Continue reading
Do not follow where the path may lead. Follow God, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail. I came across this quote many years ago. I have no idea who is responsible for the pithy manner in which this wisdom has been expressed, but it struck me… Continue reading
I love Clarence Jordan’s translation of this verse from Hebrews: “Faith is the activation of our aspirations, the life based on unseen realities. It is conviction translated into deeds. In short, it is the word become flesh.” Today, as we look at the concept of faith, we need to begin… Continue reading
(16 minutes) An impressive television preacher equates faith with positive thinking and promises happiness, success, wealth, and health to those who live by his formula. A faith healer explains to a family which has just lost a mother that if she had just had enough faith, she would have lived…. Continue reading
In 1 Corinthians 13 Paul says that three abide: faith, hope, and love. Perhaps few words are as precious to us as followers of Jesus as these three terms. But what do they mean? Even these wonderful words have been distorted in our culture and unfortunately by some Christians over… Continue reading
I believe Etty Hillesum was one of those rare people whose epitaph could read “In the worst of times she did the best of things.” The cruel, depraved, hate-filled world of Nazi Europe was the time and space in which she had to live. And in spite of all the inhumanity she witnessed and suffered, Etty Hillesum reached out in love and compassion to her fellow humans, forgave those who dealt cruelly with her and her people, and found in the Living God more power, truth, and love than I can ever imagine possible. Continue reading
