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Bible versus Other Religious Writings
by Terry Wane Benton There are two ways to test the validity of a book’s claims about itself. There is the external test, which considers the historical accuracy and archeological evidence in its favor. Then there is the internal test, which considers prophetic accuracy, unity, harmony, and unusual marks of foreknowledge or super-human knowledge. When these…
Read MoreCongregational Divorces
by Perry Hall Divorces can get ugly. Husbands and wives can get cutthroat, trying to financially and emotionally consume the other. Anything that is personally untoward to the attorneys can be used as a fair game to play a court game unfairly. Too many divorces can be over trivial issues, which leads to such ugliness.…
Read MoreChrist versus Culture
by Ed Harrell via Christianity Magazine, June 1988, p. 11 Reinhold Neibuhr, along with others, argued that all religion tends to be captured by its culture. Rather than standing in judgment of the world around them, most religious people find ways to give divine sanction to their society. I have no difficulty in seeing that…
Read MoreRemembering
by Ed Harrell via “Remembering,” Christianity Magazine 2:1, January 1985, p. 32 Cluttered with a record of every trivial encounter of our experience, our minds have a very limited capacity to call most of that memory to the conscious surface. Most of us remember very little about our past…None of us could reconstruct with any…
Read MoreGod’s Job is Perfection; Our Job is Pressing On
by Edwin Crozier What a statement Paul made in Philippians 3:12. He had not already obtained the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Neither was he already perfect. Don’t forget Paul’s circumstance in writing. He was in prison. For all he knew, he was going to receive a death sentence. He…
Read MoreLook to Exemplary Disciples
by Edwin Crozier I’m sometimes surprised by how Christians talk about the selfishly ambitious teachers in Philippians 1:15-17. The way I hear some people talk about these men is as if Paul were unconcerned about their envy and rivalry. Oh, sure, they should probably do better than that, and they probably need to grow some…
Read MoreLearning the Story of God and His People
by Hugh DeLong As a preacher, I have converted many people, most of whom knew very little about the actual bible story. Then it took time to ground them in this story of God and His work. This was particularly true of our preaching efforts in China. How were they to learn this story? In…
Read MoreGuard What Was Entrusted
by Terry Wane Benton Paul was passionate about defending the original apostolic teaching that was given by the Holy Spirit. He wept about men corrupting that original teaching and passionately appealed to the elders at Ephesus to be on guard for themselves and that of others who would creep into the flock (Acts 20:28f). Paul’s…
Read MoreHow Has God Revealed Himself?
by Terry Wane Benton Skeptics argue that God should reveal Himself more personally than He did in Jesus, claiming that the claim of incarnation is not sufficient to their way of thinking. They demand a personal encounter to force away their doubts. Yet, God has revealed Himself in prophets, in words, in miracles, in creation,…
Read MoreWoke?
by Terry Wane Benton I think people in the “woke” movement need to truly wake up. It seems that depravity and everything unrighteous and evil are the fruit of the tree of this movement. You had all the markings of this movement in areas of Greece and Rome in the first century. At Corinth, it…
Read MoreJudah: Most Improved
by Eric Reynolds via Biblical Insights, Vol. 14 No. 8, August 2014 “Most Improved” awards are often the most special. While some have the talents or disposition to excel from the start, others stand out by improving. We celebrate these dramatic developments because they are rare, whether in sports, the classroom, or in life. When a…
Read MoreWhy I Left the Jehovah’s Witnesses Organization
by Leon Kennedy via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 21 No. 1, March 1995 I have left a human religious organization, but I have not left Jesus Christ. I am just a Christian now, a member of Christ’s church. Jesus is my Savior, who is the only Savior of mankind (Luke 2:11). I would like to sincerely say…
Read MoreDo All Without Grumbling
by Edwin Crozier Paul has told them to do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but always view others as more significant. Then he told them to always obey, following in Jesus’ footsteps. In Philippians 2:14, he wraps up this section with a surprising teaching. “Do all things without grumbling or disputing…” (Philippians 2:14 ESV).…
Read MoreI Sat and Waited
by Brandon Edwards I do that a lot, waiting. Waiting for students. Picking up food. Sitting in the car waiting for my kids. But waiting has not always been something I have enjoyed. In fact, waiting has never been my favorite thing – and in a culture that wants everything now, waiting is the thing…
Read MoreWork Because God Is Working
by Edwin Crozier Text: Philippians 2 Jesus established the example. He left the throne of heaven and lived among us as a servant. God highly exalted Him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name because He was obedient even to the point of death on the cross. “Therefore,” Paul says in…
Read MoreBorn of God: Ramifications for a Lifetime
by Steve Klein via Biblical Insights, Vol. 14 No. 8, August 2014 In John 3:1-7, Jesus told Nicodemus, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” “You must be born again.” For centuries, virtually everyone who…
Read MorePious Pretense and Treacherous Hearts
by Allen Malone via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 20 No. 4, December 1994 In the early hours of TET (the Vietnamese Lunar New Year), Buddhist pagodas, overflowing with whispered prayers and incense smoke, are the scene of pious treachery. The pagan congregant, convinced that the gods will be more inclined to listen if prayers are offered with…
Read MoreMen Wanted
by Kenneth Frazier via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 20 No. 4, December 1994 “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit ye like men, be strong” (I Corinthians 16:13). Of this verse, Thayer says the meaning is: “to make a man of or make brave. To show oneself a man, be brave.” W. E. Vine says it…
Read MoreWhen Words Are Pressed Too Far: Understanding Poetic Language In Scripture And Song
by Becky René Why Over-Literal Interpretation Can Lead to Misunderstanding From time to time, concerns are raised about the wording of certain hymns. A particular line may be singled out and questioned on the grounds that it could give the wrong impression or, if taken at face value, appear to teach something inaccurate. Such concerns…
Read MoreDiscriminating Against Biblical Marriage
by Michael R. Baggett Would you have thought 20, 30, or 40 years ago we would live to see the day when Biblical marriage would be discriminated against? Biblical marriage is treated like just one kind of relationship in our society. In some cases, it is not recognized at all. What I saw today while…
Read MoreThree Days
by Chadwick Brewer “They departed and went into the hills and remained there three days until the pursuers returned, and the pursuers searched all along the way and found nothing” (Joshua 2:22). Here, after leaving Rahab’s house in Jericho, the spies spent three days hiding in the hills waiting to see if the searchers would…
Read MoreWearing Yourself Out
by Zeke Flores “You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone” (Exodus 18:18). Jethro gives Moses a reality check. Moses is trying to handle everything himself. Every problem. Every dispute. Every responsibility. And Jethro basically says,…
Read MoreFrom an Unlikely Source
by Zeke Flores “Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink” (Exodus 17:6). Israel is thirsty, frustrated, and convinced God has abandoned them. Instead of rebuking them, God gives water from a…
Read MoreContradiction or Expanded Details?
by Terry Wane Benton Many are those who think they see “contradictions” everywhere in the Bible, but my experience has been that after more careful consideration, these so-called contradictions are but an expansion of details, both of which can be true. For example, one common claim is that Luke says the men who journeyed with…
Read MoreMy Needs Are Met
by Jefferson David Tant via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 20 No. 4, December 1994 Within the context of Philippians 4:10-20, are these words: “Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live…
Read MoreDo we withdraw from those who have admitted their sin?
Question: Good day Jeffery, A few months ago, in my old congregation, the preacher, a married man, was having affairs with some sisters. One became jealous and reported to the father of another sister that she was having an affair. This other sister’s father was a preacher in another congregation. He brought the matter to…
Read MoreDo we not forgive the unrepentant?
Question: Does Luke 17:3 imply that we are not to forgive a brother or sister until they have repented? I know God will not forgive until we have repented and asked him for forgiveness. Answer: “Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him” (Luke 17:3). Jesus states…
Read MoreThe Foundations of Radioactive Dating Methods
by John Walton via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 20 No. 4, December 1994 A recent Bible study class focused on the topic of the “age of the Earth.” Considerable discrepancy exists between the age of the Earth as determined by some scientific methods and that indicated by the Bible. The accepted age of the Earth based on…
Read MoreA Case for God from His Goodness
by Ken Marrs via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 20 No. 4, December 1994 The existence of God can be proven in a number of ways. For instance: Teleologically (the design of the universe demands a designer) Cosmologically (nothing can come from nothing, everything must have an antecedent clause) Mathematically (if being mathematically impossible to have all elements…
Read MoreIt’s Official: I’m Dying
by Terry Wane Benton The Great Physician told me that I am going to die. I don’t know how much time I have left, but it won’t be long. The official report is found in Hebrews 9:27. I’ve noticed that people tend to show greater compassion to the dying than to the healthy. I notice…
Read MoreThe Problem with Giants
by Chadwick Brewer “And they came to the Valley of Eshcol and cut down from there a branch with a single cluster of grapes, and they carried it on a pole between two of them; they also brought some pomegranates and figs” (Numbers 13:23). It had been approximately a year and a half since the…
Read MoreShe Has Done What She Could
by Jason Hardin via In God’s Image “She has done what she could.” She wasn’t the first, and she wouldn’t be the last. The Gospel of Mark is full of examples. Simon, Andrew, James, and John could leave their nets and boats behind when Jesus called them to follow him (Mark 1:16-20). Simon’s mother-in-law could…
Read MoreWhen Life Feels Overwhelming
by Zeke Flores “Yahweh will fight for you while you keep silent” (Exodus 14:14). Israel is trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s army. Panic is rising, fear is loud, and God gives them this simple instruction: Be still. Not because the situation isn’t serious, but because God is the one who will act. Sometimes…
Read MoreIrresponsibility Crucified Jesus
by Terry Wane Benton Pilate thought he could just wash his hands of any responsibility, and while we think little of Pilate for trying to pass off his responsibility, how are we better than Pilate when we do not stand up for Jesus when we should? Is Pilate really much different from us? (Matthew 27:20-24).…
Read MoreThe Path God Selects
by Zeke Flores “Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, ‘The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt'” (Exodus 3:17). God intentionally avoided the shortest route,…
Read MoreMalachi – Pointing Men to Christ
by Keith Greer Malachi contains four chapters and 55 verses. It is the 39th and final book of the Old Testament and the last Minor Prophet. Some have called it “a bridge between the Old and New covenants.” The name Malachi means “messenger of Jehovah.” The book says nothing about the man Malachi, and our…
Read MoreDishonesty Crucified Jesus
by Terry Wane Benton The fact that the chief priests were looking for anything they thought they could get to stick as a valid reason for the death sentence for Jesus (Matthew 26:59f) shows that they were corrupt and dishonest. False witnesses are liars. Those who use lies to undermine and get rid of someone…
Read MoreIgnorance Crucified Jesus
by Terry Wane Benton Ignorance is not bliss. From the cross, Jesus said, “they know not what they do” (ignorance), and later Peter told the Jews that I know that you did it by ignorance (Acts 3). Ignorance is not knowing what is vitally important. When there are things we know we should do, but…
Read MoreCovetousness Crucified Jesus
by Terry Wane Benton The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil (I Timothy 6:10). We think little of Judas for selling Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. But is Judas worse for being there at the time, while we sell Jesus in other ways? What have we sold him for?…
Read MoreThe Elephant in the Room (Harrub)
by Brad Harrub, Ph.D. Within our society, there is a tendency to measure success using a secular material yardstick. We identify one another by jobs (e.g., “Oh, he’s a pharmacist”), neighborhoods (e.g., “Oh, they live in Woodbury Estates”), bank accounts (e.g., “Oh, we just purchased a beach house in Destin”), and even looks (e.g., “Oh,…
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