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...]
For His Name’s Sake
"For his name's sake" He restores my soul and leads me in the paths of righteousness... Of course this phrase is found in verse 3 of Psalm 23. We can pass through it quickly without meditating on its importance. Psalm 23:1-6 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.He makes me lie down in green pastures. He … [Read more...]
What is Doxology?
What is Doxology? I'd read the term often. It frequently comes up in theological literature and blog articles. I recall looking the term up and then promptly forgetting its meaning a day later. That says something about me, I guess. What is Doxology? According to GotQuestions: The dictionary defines doxology as … [Read more...]
