May 1998

Blindness

An old blues song proclaims, "No one's blinder than he who just won't see." That is especially true regarding God and His word. The person who fails to believe in scripture, though he may think his vision is perfect, will discover, hopefully before it is too late, that he has been blind and in need of healing. more...

Morality

It is one of the most common (and most tired) phrases in political rhetoric. "You can't legislate morality." more...

Early Church History

John Dominic Crossan is at it again. The author of The Historical Jesus and founder of the Jesus Seminar has authored a new book which purports to tell the "unknown" story of the twenty-odd years between the death of Jesus and the apostle Paul's early letters to churches, thought to be the earliest of Christian writings. The book is called The Birth of Christianity: Discovering What Happened in the Years Immediately After the Execution of Jesus, and it is the premise, that we cannot know from scripture what happened in the thirties and forties (A.D.) to form what we now know as Christianity, that is precisely what is flawed about the book. more...

Repentance

If you were asked to name the dominant doctrines of the New Testament, how long would it be before you named repentance? Many today would not mention it, but New Testament preaching is filled with teaching on repentance. Among the first sermons, preached by John the Baptist, are those which begin, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt. 3:2), and "Repent and believe in the gospel" (Mk. 1:15). more...

Fellowship: A Social Activity?

What is the church's responsibility in arranging social and recreational activities for its members? This is an important question, that becomes even more pressing as more and more churches turn to the "fun and games gospel" to raise interest and draw crowds. Diametrically opposing positions have been taken on this matter. Some affirm that a church can support, coordinate, provide for and pay for nearly any social activity because such represent an opportunity for fellowship. Others have argued that social and recreational activities have no place in the work of the New Testament church. What is right? What does the Bible say? more...

The Preacher's Pen

Recently I saw a list of questions to ask before you complain to church leaders (Cathy Miller, May-June 1998, DiscipleshipJournal). With a little adaptation of her original ideas I present you with seven questions to think about: more...