Christmas
Jesus, Why Are You Here?
Yesterday, we celebrated something unprecedented – God took on flesh and pitched his tent among humanity.1 It is unprecedented because it had never happened before, and no other faith throughout history even purports that such a thing could, would, or did happen. Not only do other faiths and cultures not speak of Immanuel (God with us), many find…
Read MoreWho Am I That Christ Should Love Me?
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” or so says Andy Williams in his 1963 hit from The Andy Williams Christmas Album. This year desperately needs a “wonderful time.” I have witnessed a broad spectrum of reactions to the holiday season in 2020. Some are working harder than usual to enjoy Christmas this year. Others…
Read MoreThe Frustration of a Secularized Christmas
I recently lamented how it has been difficult to find much in the way of truly Christmas-oriented literature and entertainment. For example, just last week I was trying to find a Christmas concert to attend with Alean, and was unable to do so. I found ugly sweater contests, Christmas Bounce-Offs at the local trampoline gym,…
Read MoreThe Advent of Forgiveness and Reconciliation (Part 3)
This week is our final look at the advent of Jesus and how he ushered in an era of forgiveness. Today, we will look at the idea of mandating bilateral activity for forgiveness to occur. There is a concept which holds that for person A to forgive person B, person B must repent, and perhaps…
Read MoreThe Advent of Forgiveness and Reconciliation (Part 2)
Last week, we looked at the incarnation, the birth of Jesus, as a bold move on God’s part to spread forgiveness to humanity, and to reconcile the human race to himself. Last week’s assertion was that in our striving to be conformed to the image of Christ, forgiveness and reconciliation is integral to that striving.…
Read MoreThe Advent of Forgiveness and Reconciliation
This week, we entered a time for Christ-followers that is traditionally referred to as “Advent,” a celebration of the arrival of Jesus, Immanuel, God with us. As with many holidays, this one has been commercialized and all but stripped of its meaning. Much of the populace has no idea that Christmas has anything at all…
Read MoreThe Three Signs of Christmas
One of the better known verses in the New Testament is John 20:31. In this verse, John explains precisely why he chose to include the specific signs of Jesus that he chose, telling us he included them so we might believe Jesus is the Son of God, and that by believing, we might have life in his name.…
Read MoreWhy Jesus is the Most Disturbing Baby Ever Born
I recently addressed a gathering of believers, explaining to them Paul’s use of the terms, “spiritual,” “carnal,” and “natural” when discussing the human condition. In this address, I touched on the danger of religious arrogance and, in that context, said that it has been my observation that there are two arenas in which people of…
Read MorePrince of Peace, Not as the World Gives
I have almost completed reading a book that is mildly getting under my skin. It is well written, and the author does argue his case with diligence and skill. The challenge I have with the book is that the author’s arguments, though passionate, are invalid! An argument based on a fallacious foundation is an argument…
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