Silencing Arguments
The theologians discussed hermeneutics. They found no conclusions. One man insisted every word was literal; everything written was profound truth. The next man countered that the Bible held too many contradictions; we pick one and stick with it. A third man rolled his eyes and blurted out, “We all interpret what we read; each person […]
What Is Sin?
I have heard that Satan and sin command powerful forces over people. That statement is not biblical. It is Satan’s lie. Neither Satan nor sin commands real power. Sin is simply a thought or action directed by the person sinning. Satan wants us to think he controls the world, claiming dominion through Adam’s sin. In […]
What Will It Take?
Taxes were not the most exciting thing that happened on April 15, 2015. Doug Hughes landed a gyrocopter on the US Capitol lawn. That act befuddled Secret Service. The media came out in droves and aired the clip throughout the day. In a day or two, the novelty became old news. Doug started planning this […]
Distractions From His Presence
A friend cried out, “Why can’t I stay in His presence? I’m looking straight at Jesus, and something earthly jerks me away, and I can’t get back to him. Why?” Her distress filled the room like blood in a furrow. Why are we so easily distracted? Holy men run to mountains to find focus, and […]
Unbelieving Believers
“I can’t rationally accept that those people were healed.” My friend and I discussed a church revival. The crippled walked or danced, backs no longer sent shooting pain, and fused joints moved. Most of the crowd acted happy-crazy. Dozens ended up on the ground. They laughed or sobbed. A few jerked like fish out of […]
The Purity of God
What is your basic concept of God? Do you think of Father as far away, secluded in heaven, and isolated from the evils of this corrupt world? Are your sins intolerable to his holiness? Do you wonder how he could love you? Such theology is old. It is common in many religions, including several that […]
The Natural Law of Tithing
Christian denominations teach conflicting doctrines on tithing. The extremes range from super casual to a neurotic state of oppression. Under Mosaic Law, the tithe was mandatory, a kind of tax. Each family held the responsibility to provide a livelihood to the Levite families because God did not give them a portion of the Promised Land. […]
Fear
I heard a new teaching recently. It said, “Fear is not an emotion; it is an attack from the enemy.” I disagree. Such theology burdens us with fear of fear. Too few have enough faith to fight such a demon. Everyday fears will produce guilt until a person gives up, condemned by their own theology. […]
To Blame Monsters
Sunday, a small lizard sat in the middle of the church parking lot. My thought, “Oh, little cutie, you will get squashed by a big car if you sit here!” A little nudge, and it moved a few inches. Then it stopped. I repeated my efforts. It repeated its pathetic progression. That is when I […]
The Pain of Dogma
As you might have guessed, I write on biblical theology. That simply means I spend excessive amounts of time thinking upon scripture. Questions drive this pursuit. Sometimes, things feel “not right” between what I read and the way people teach a passage. Other times I wonder why denominations believe differently. It is my nature to […]