Grace and wisdom of the ages from 66 books, by 40 authors, over 2200 years, in 3 languages, on 3 continents, with 1 divinely-inspired theme of love and redemption for every tribe and language and people and nation on earth
There are over 3000 people named in the Bible and it’s easy to think these people are more important to God and more loved by God than the rest of the people in the world. But this goes against the scriptural teachings on the universality of God’s image, sin, and redemption and also misses the inclusive mission of the church Continue reading What about people who are not mentioned in the Bible?
Does 1 John 2:19 mean people that leave us are not saved? The interpretation of 1 John 2:19 has sparked debate among Christian groups, with some using the verse to label those who leave their local fellowship as unsaved and dangerous. This has led to the prohibition of fellowship, prayer, or even sharing meals with such individuals. However, it is Continue reading They left us because they were not of us (1 John 2:19)
The Bible contains many superlative inflection points but Acts 13 is the most important for the church. Before Acts 13, most of the great commission happened in Jerusalem and Samaria, but it had not spread very far in a global sense. But at this great inflection point, in Acts 13, the gospel starts to spread throughout the world. And it Continue reading Acts 13 the most important inflection in the great commission
When the Apostle Paul wrote to a defiled, divided, and proud-of-it church in Corinth, he first rebuked their sins, and then he encouraged them to become a mature, loving, working church. Right in the middle of this encouragement, he told them, “Make love your highest priority!” Most churches need this same rebuke and encouragement today. A new commandment I give Continue reading Pursue a life of love as your highest priority
How can unity be a sin? Isn’t unity the holy grail of Christianity. Ah yes! But the kind of unity is very important. Because the coin of division has two sides. One is the sin of sectarianism. The other is the sin of unity. They are both division and they are both wrong. It is not always right to be Continue reading The sin of unity