Some time ago I watched a Q & A session between pastors. One question centered on leaving a particular church over doctrinal error. I thought the advice was very good. Yet I was surprised no one suggested praying for their pastors. I'm sure they thought it was a given. Praying for pastors and churches ought to … [Read more...]
The Danger of Bitterness
We all experience bitterness once in a while, but the danger of bitterness is that it can become ingrained in a person. It can, and will, adversely affect one’s relationship to others. Trust me, I know. Years ago I went through a brief period of bitterness which fostered resentment, and finally a deep-rooted anger. … [Read more...]
God’s Promises to Israel
Were God’s promises to Israel too wonderful to comprehend in plain language? Some think so—hence, God allegedly revealed them using earthly categories. Why would someone conclude this? One example I have unabashedly pinched the following example from a Daily Devotional (which I happen to recommend, BTW). The … [Read more...]
Can the Lord return this year?
Can the Lord return this year? I love believing that He might. But not everyone sees it the same way. In fact some stridently oppose the idea. Yeas ago, I joined an online premillennial, pretribulational rapture group. At the time I leaned towards the posttribulational view. I was there mainly for the fellowship. … [Read more...]
A Blessed Christ-Centered Christmas
I can't recall having written a column about Christmas before. So I'm feeling somewhat jittery. During this time, people tend to get into heated arguments and debates about Christmas. Regardless of anything I say there will be someone somewhere who disagrees. Be kind. It's Advent. This is the season for those … [Read more...]
Charles Spurgeon on Expecting Christ’s Second Coming
Charles Spurgeon gave Christians advice on expecting Christ's Second Coming. He wrote that we should live as if it would happen today. Do we live it? The two quotes below come from Spurgeon's Twelve Sermons on the Second Coming of Christ. Spurgeon's Advice Oh, Beloved, let us try, every morning, to get up as if … [Read more...]
Israel in the Olivet Discourse
Yes, Israel is in the Olivet Discourse. I say, “Yes,” because many try to Christianize the dialogue away from ethnic Israel. I often read devotionals and prayers from times past where Israel and Zion are conflated as the church.In the book, Forsaking Israel, Larry Pettegrew observed that, soon after the Apostle John … [Read more...]
Paul Washer’s Thought Experiment
Have you heard of Paul Washer’s thought experiment? Well, I don’t know if he first came up with it, but it’s terrifying. Many folk assume that they’re basically good. But this is by outward and worldly standards. See this Living Waters Video. I’ve been jokingly told more than once that some (rare) good deed I’d done … [Read more...]
Why do we wrestle in Prayer?
Why do we wrestle in Prayer? There are two aspects to this question: 1) why should we wrestle in prayer, and 2) why is it so difficult? Why should we pray? This is a profound and complex question. Why even pray when God knows everything and He is sovereign? Perhaps the simplest summary to this question can be … [Read more...]
Dispensational Hermeneutics by Michael Vlach
Review of the book Dispensational Hermeneutics by Michael Vlach. It is published by Theological Studies Press (Paperback and Kindle, 111 pages). The subtitle of the book is “Interpretation Principles that Guide Dispensationalism’s Understanding of the Bible’s Storyline.” Contents Introduction 1) Key … [Read more...]
