The sceptre had truly departed from Judah. There was once more a king in Jerusalem who ruled over Judah, but he was not of the lineage of David, nor of Judah, not even of Jacob. Herod was an Edomite, a descendant of Esau. Surely the time was ripe for the coming of Messiah. When Messiah … Continue reading The Politically Incorrect Messiah
God
The Pride of Man
Here is another excerpt from my upcoming book. The working title for the book is What was God doing? It’s just me and Jesus, right? I’m trying as hard as I can, but things just aren’t working out. What I need is a little help from Jesus, and everything will work out just fine.Have you … Continue reading The Pride of Man
They’ll know we are Christians by our love
My wife and I were married in the summer of 1970, when the Jesus People movement was at its peak. It seemed like young people all over North America, and to a lesser extent the rest of the world, had wearied of the materialism of the older generation and the protest movements of the 1960s, … Continue reading They’ll know we are Christians by our love
Lovest thou me more than these?
What was Jesus doing that day when he made a charcoal fire beside Galilee ? It appears that he wanted to talk to Peter, but what did he mean when he asked “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?” Some folks take it to mean “more than these things, or these people,” … Continue reading Lovest thou me more than these?
Fire from Heaven
At the dedication of the tabernacle, fire fell from heaven to consume the sacrifices on the altar (Leviticus 9:24). This was the fire of which Leviticus 6:13 says: “The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.” When Abram prepared a sacrifice to God, recorded in Genesis 15, a fire … Continue reading Fire from Heaven
Compel them to come in
“And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” Luke 14:23. As a Mennonite who has renounced all use of force, how can this verse apply to my attempts to share the gospel? In the 17th century Blaise … Continue reading Compel them to come in
Preparing the way
During the four centuries between the close of the Old Testament and the beginning of the new there was a dramatic transformation of that part of the world we call Bible lands. So important were these transformations that God revealed them to the prophet Daniel, centuries before they happened. The closing chapters of Daniel tell … Continue reading Preparing the way
Radical thinking from an archbishop
Liberty of thought is an impregnable fortress that no human power can force. Violence can never convince, it only makes hypocrites. When kings take it upon themselves to direct in matters of religion, instead of protecting it, they bring it into bondage. You should, therefore, grant to all a legal toleration. Not as approving everything … Continue reading Radical thinking from an archbishop
The light of the world
Image by Thomas G. from Pixabay Jesus told Christians: "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid." Let us then occupy ourselves in calling attention to the light, not the darkness. People around us are well aware of the darkness, we don't have to call attention … Continue reading The light of the world
Do they have the tools to do the job?
Matthew 28:19-20, which we Christian like to call the Great Commission, begins thus “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them . . . ” The words teach and baptize lead many Christians to believe that the Great Commission is fulfilled by making and baptizing converts. And we often wonder why these converts seem … Continue reading Do they have the tools to do the job?
