Article
History Shapes Us
by Doy Moyer When we accept Scripture as God’s communication to humanity, we are necessarily accepting the reality that history shapes us. Our understanding of who God is, what sin is, and how God brought about salvation is built on a historical understanding. The death and resurrection of Jesus are historical events. For the children…
Read MoreBe Careful
by Dee Bowman “You be careful!” “Watch out!” “Look where you’re going!” We’ve all heard these or similar warnings for most of our lives. Actually, there is no area of life where the proper use of care is not necessary. We exercise care regarding education, employment, families, and our health. And well we should–caution is…
Read MoreYou Have Brought Trouble
by Zeke Flores In Genesis 34:30, Jacob says to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me.” This chapter is messy, painful, and morally complex. But it highlights a crucial truth: human anger, even when justified, cannot produce God’s righteousness. Simeon and Levi respond to Dinah’s violation with vengeance. Their outrage is understandable, but…
Read MoreOur Rest
by Hugh DeLong Rest? Interesting that God has given the concept of rest in so many different ways. He rested from His labor of creating. He gave Israel the seventh-day rest, then the seventh-year rest, then even the fiftieth-year rest. Joshua brought them into the land (Joshua 1:13; 21:44). Yet, that was not their rest, for…
Read MoreOur Desire to Avoid Blame
by Gary Henry “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what…
Read MoreFaith: A Gift Not Given?
by Gary Henry via WordPoints.com “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). One of the most wonderful things about the gospel is its openness. The promise of salvation is open to “whoever believes,” no matter…
Read MoreCan God Be Charged with Murder?
by Terry Wane Benton with the help of Copilot The biblical answer is “No,” and Scripture gives multiple reasons why. The Bible consistently teaches that God cannot be guilty of murder, because murder is the unlawful taking of life, and God, as the Creator and Judge of all life, has the absolute right to give…
Read MoreThe Advantages of Preventing Sin
by David Gibson As wonderful as forgiveness is, isn’t it far better not to sin in the first place? Preventing sin helps us avoid being hardened by sin (Ephesians 4:19; I Timothy 4:2; Hebrews 3:13). Habitual sin desensitizes. A hardened sinner is a sad spectacle indeed! Preventing sin helps keep our influence positive. If others…
Read MoreSwearing Not at All — Understanding Jesus’ Prohibition in Light of the Whole Counsel of God
by Becky René Few biblical subjects appear, at first glance, as straightforward as the prohibition against swearing found in the words of Jesus and James. “Swear not at all” seems plain, uncompromising, and universal. For this reason, some conclude that any oath-taking in any circumstance—including legal oaths required by civil authorities—is forbidden to the Christian.…
Read MoreWhich Doctrines to Never Mention in Church?
by Terry Wane Benton In order to make the church more appealing to lost sinners in the community, we could avoid talking about drunkenness, fornication, adultery, homosexuality, etc., but then our goal becomes seeking to please men (the creature) over the Creator (Romans 1:18ff). God put verses in the epistles to be read and studied…
Read MoreDon’t Be Overcome
by Edwin Crozier As we continue our walk through II Peter, we will do something a little out of the ordinary. We will begin by commenting on the end of the chapter. We do this because we need to know where Peter is going and what is at stake in all he writes. In II…
Read MoreDoes the Bible Teach Degrees of Misery in the Afterlife for the Unfaithful?
by Terry Wane Benton Several passages strongly imply that judgment varies based on knowledge, responsibility, and the severity of one’s actions. Perhaps it will torture all, in various degrees, to realize how close to salvation they had opportunities, but did not pursue or take advantage of. It would torture me more to remember how close…
Read MoreI Will Be with You
by Zeke Flores “Yahweh said to Jacob, ‘Return to the land of your fathers … and I will be with you'” (Genesis 31:3). This is more than travel instructions; it’s a doctrinal and directional anchor: God’s presence is the foundation for obedience, but His presence doesn’t come without obedience. Jacob isn’t returning because the circumstances…
Read MoreNew Is Better
by Hugh DeLong “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world” (Hebrews 1:1-2). The Bible is God’s word. God,…
Read MoreThe Questionnaire Creed: Its History and Its Future
by Floyd Chappalear via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 20 No. 3, September 1994 “If these people go up to offer sacrifices at the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem, they will again give their allegiance to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah. They will kill me and return to King Rehoboam. After seeking advice, the king made…
Read MoreWhat I Love to See
by David Gibson Powerful Effect I love to see a well-used Bible—worn cover, key passages marked, and with lots of hand-written notes in the margins. Even more, I love seeing believers whose lives are shaped by the Scriptures. They not only know the Bible but, far more importantly, live it. This is exactly what God…
Read MoreGetting to Know God
by Jason Hardin “Who are you?” and “What do you do?” They are the most frequently asked questions when people are getting to know each other. They establish context. They create common ground. “Who are you?” and “What do you do?” Psalms 119:68 is a pillar of context for the entire Bible. That’s a sweeping…
Read MoreThose “Sorry” Young Preachers
by Bill Hall via Biblical Insights, Vol. 14 No. 8, August 2014 We hear criticism all along of the young preachers among us: “They don’t preach like the older preachers,” they say. That’s funny! It sounds like what people said of us older preachers when we were young. The truth is, we know of many young…
Read MoreThe Will to Be Wise
by Dee Bowman via Biblical Insights, Vol. 14 No. 8, August 2014 In the introduction to the Proverbs, Solomon uses several words with similar connotations, each related to wisdom. Listen to them: “To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding. To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity. To give to…
Read MoreOur Sights Are Set on Heaven
by Roger D. Campbell On a recent trip to Malaysia, I saw a familiar sight that once again reminded me of one particular practice of the Muslims. In a hotel room where Donna and I spent a couple of nights, there was an arrow on the ceiling pointing toward Mecca. Why is there such an…
Read MoreThe Charge that the Bible Promotes Misogyny
by Terry Wane Benton based on output from Copilot How do Bible-believing educators answer the charge that the Bible is misogynistic? Here’s a clear, thoughtful way Bible‑believing educators typically answer the charge that “the Bible is misogynistic.” Start with Definitions and Expectations Before answering, educators clarify what people mean by “misogynistic.” Most critics mean one…
Read MoreThe Testimony of the Three Witnesses
by Kenny Chumbley via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 20 No. 3, September 1994 “This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood, And it is the Spirit that beareth witness… there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and…
Read MoreHow God Could End Religious Confusion
by Dennis Allan I recently met a man on a bus, and our conversation quickly came around to spiritual questions. He spoke of his experiences in studying various religions. He had participated in several “Christian” denominations, had studied Buddhism, Islam, etc. We readily agreed on some fundamental facts, including God’s existence and the sad reality…
Read MoreCommunication: Fuel to the Fires of Evangelism
by Jim Deason via Biblical Insights, Vol. 14 No. 8, August 2014 “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:16). It is called the Great Commission, and so it is. First given to the apostles, the work of Christians everywhere is to take the gospel to the lost. The church…
Read MoreHarvesting the Fruit of His Spirit
by Randall Caselman When Jesus genuinely, truly comes into our lives, things change. Opening our hearts to His presence means we’ll never be the same. Go with me to a well outside the city of Sychar. Jesus, tired from the journey, sat down by the well. A Samaritan woman came. She and Jesus struck up…
Read MoreThen God Remembered
by Zeke Flores Genesis 30:22 says, “Then God remembered Rachel.” That doesn’t mean He forgot her; it means He acted on her behalf at the right time. Rachel had watched her sister have child after child while she waited, prayed, cried, and probably wondered if God cared. Waiting can feel like abandonment, especially when you…
Read MoreSlaves of Corruption
by Edwin Crozier Jesus told a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:39-40 ESV). Peter’s warnings about false teachers in II Peter 2 build…
Read MoreWilling to Wait
by Zeke Flores Jacob works seven years for Rachel, and Genesis 29:20 says they “seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.” It’s a beautiful picture of how love reframes effort. Jacob isn’t counting the cost; he’s focused on the joy set before him. There’s a spiritual parallel here. When…
Read MoreGod’s Nation
by Doy Moyer One of the most significant promises of God to Abraham was that “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). Peter connected this promise to Jesus, raised up in fulfillment of this promise “to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness” (Acts 3:25-26).…
Read MoreThe Way of Balaam
by Edwin Crozier via Read the Bible, Make Disciples Peter’s descriptions of the false teachers in II Peter 2 are as creative as they are intense. We could spend pages and pages walking through each description. However, I want to home in on one allusion. This reference highlights the slippery slope even we in Christ…
Read MoreHow We Know Plato Was a Real Historical Person
by Terry Wane Benton Multiple ancient writers refer to Plato as a real person Plato is mentioned by numerous ancient authors—some who knew him personally, others who lived shortly after him. These include: Aristotle, his student, who repeatedly and critically refers to Plato in his own works. Xenophon, a contemporary of Socrates, whose writings align…
Read MoreThe Lord Knows How to Rescue the Godly
by Edwin Crozier via Read the Bible, Make Disciples Let’s admit it. II Peter 2 is pretty dark. A surface reading makes the prospect look dim. If we are not careful, we can read these two chapters as saying we are all in danger of falling away from God’s grace. In fact, we will likely…
Read MoreThe Spirit of the Sword
by Steve Dewhirst via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 20 No. 3, September 1994 When Alexander Campbell first issued the Millennial Harbinger in 1830, he had a clear – if incorrect- vision of the future. Campbell, like many others in the early days of the Restoration, believed that the book of Revelation foretold a glorious day in which…
Read MoreMen Spoke from God
by Edwin Crozier Text: II Peter 1:12-21 Peter explains why he so strongly wants to pass on the path to partake in the divine nature and participate in God’s glory and excellence. He witnessed it with his own eyes. Calling to mind the Mount of Transfiguration (see Mark 9:2-8), Peter explains he witnessed the majesty…
Read MoreDo All in the Name of the Lord
by Terry Wane Benton “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through…
Read MoreWhat Holiness Should Mean to the Christian
by Gary Henry via WordsPoint.com “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy’” (I Peter 1:15-16). Perhaps we who are Christians today do not often think about our holiness. But we should think about it. If it does…
Read MoreGod Is Closer Than We May Realize
by Zeke Flores In Genesis 28:16-17, Jacob wakes up from his dream of the ladder and says, “Surely Yahweh is in this place, and I did not know it.” He wasn’t praying. He wasn’t worshiping. He wasn’t even in a good spiritual place. He was running from the consequences of his own deception. Yet God…
Read MoreFalse Teachers
by Edwin Crozier In II Peter, we learn what is at stake. If we do not take Peter’s instruction to heart, we will drift back into corruption. When we return to the beginning of II Peter 2, we discover that the situation is even more precarious. We are not growing in neutral territory. The fear…
Read MorePretense
by Zeke Flores In Genesis 27, Jacob approaches Isaac, pretending to be Esau, and Isaac says, “The voice is Jacob’s, but the hands are Esau’s.” It’s such a striking line because it captures the tension of a divided identity: one thing on the outside, another on the inside. Jacob is trying to secure God’s blessing…
Read MoreNot Saved by Saying Alone
by Gary Henry via WordsPoint.com “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do” (Matthew 23:2-3). Saying and doing are closely related, but they are two different things. It…
Read More