Can Christians pray imprecatory psalms? Ask the Sons of Thunder
Some Christians have no problem calling for the judgment and wrath of certain psalms against our enemies. But the Lord’s Biblical teaching for the church shows that they may not know what spirit they are of.
The shocking 24 hours when Jesus’ miracles didn’t matter
A single 24-hour period saw two of Jesus’ most spectacular signs: feeding the multitude and walking on water. But it also saw most of His followers abandon Him. The miracles didn’t keep them.
Is the Holy Spirit worshiped too much?
Charismatic Christians often glorify the Holy Spirit in their worship a lot more than He glorifies Himself, we see in Scripture. He would much rather exalt Jesus.
No kings. That’s not politics, that’s the Bible
Some professing Christians want the equivalent of a king, but the entirety of Scripture teaches us that only Christ is worthy of the throne.
Why The Chosen is more blasphemous than Monty Python
Which fiction presents a more concerning misrepresentation of the Lord? The silly parody Monty Python and the Holy Grail, or the “plausible” and “authentic” series The Chosen?
The apostles didn’t preach the gospel like Christians today
Many Christians today assume that we should tell people “God loves you” or “Jesus died for you” when we evangelize, or else it’s not the gospel. Not saying we shouldn’t, but the apostles didn’t in the book of Acts.
When preaching Jesus is not a good thing
Paul the apostle once told someone to stop pointing to the way of salvation. That incident teaches us that some people should not be talking about Jesus.
The criminal who preached the gospel as he was dying
Many Christians are familiar with the penitent thief on the cross next to Jesus in Luke 23. But do we grasp the profound depth of what he said? When you examine his words, you see the gospel.
Ark of the Covenant found! So what?
The news that the CIA may have found the Biblical Ark of the Covenant is a good time to remember what it was, what it looked forward to, and why we don’t need it.
A parable of Jesus blows up beliefs about healing, miracles
Two things some Christians believe are 1. God always wants us to be healed in this life, and 2. The gospel needs miracles to be effective. One parable of Jesus destroyed both of those ideas.
Meet the first health and wealth preacher in the Bible
Some charismatic Christians think it’s our fault if we suffer. That’s what Eliphaz wrongly thought about Job. He was the first health-and-wealth preacher, and we see in that book what God thinks of such beliefs.
‘Salt and light’ is about holiness, not preservation
Some Christians interpret Jesus’ teaching on salt and light in Matthew 5 to mean preserving traditional values in society. But His own words show that He’s actually talking about His followers’ holiness.
The prodigal son teaches us how not to repent
Some take Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son as a model of Christian repentance, but it’s not. Our focus should be on the father’s unconditional love, grace, mercy and joy in unilaterally restoring his son.
Christian, you are a gift from the Father to the Son
One of the most wonderful truths of the Bible is that Christian believers are a gift from God the Father to Jesus, who treasures that gift so much that He keeps it for all eternity. Read about this astounding love in John 6.
Jesus punched right, and so should Christians
Most Christians’ political and cultural outrage is directed toward the other tribe – leftists and Democrats. But the Bible consistently teaches us that we should punch first and hardest in the other direction – ourselves.
How ‘Peace on earth’ distorts the meaning of Christmas
The ubiquitous Christmas phrase “Peace on earth” may be derived from Scripture, but it’s a difference in wording that’s significant enough to obscure the good tidings of great joy that the angels proclaimed the night Jesus was born.
Why most nativity scenes and movies are probably wrong
Was it really an “inn”? This may be nitpicking, but a study of the Scriptures shows that the birth of Christ might not have happened the way it’s depicted in most traditions, nativity sets, plays, and movies.
Why I changed my mind and celebrate Christmas
Some Christians say we shouldn’t celebrate Christmas because its origins and traditions are pagan. I used to think that way, but not anymore; here’s what changed my mind.
Fear. Hell. Hate. Division. The hard sayings of Jesus
In a four-chapter stretch in Luke, Jesus says several things that would shock the “winsome” sensibilities of those who think Christians should try not to offend anyone in order to attract as many people as possible. Was He being unwise, religious and divisive?
Are everybody’s sins already forgiven? Why people go to hell
One issue in the debate over the extent of the atonement is the question of why unbelievers go to hell. Is it the penalty for our sins, or are everybody’s sins already forgiven and we can still refuse eternal life? The Bible seems to land pretty hard on one of those options.