Which road are you on? The straightaway is a wide, smooth road with gentle curves and gradual slopes. Multitudes are travelling down this road, pedal to the metal, hellbent on getting to . . . well — hell. Where else would you expect to get to on this road? Jesus tells us that a lot of … Continue reading The strait way or the straightaway
heaven
Is it hot?
My wife and I went away for the day, leaving our four-year-old daughter with Grandma. When Grandma started to make dinner, our daughter saw the electric element on the stove glowing red hot, asked “Grandma, is it hot?” and placed the palm of her hand on the element. I guess she really never understood what … Continue reading Is it hot?
Where is Paradise?
The first paradise was the Garden of Eden. In the Septuagint “garden” in Genesis 2:8 appears as “paradise,” the paradise of Eden. The Hebrew word in the original refers to a walled garden of pleasure and delight, where sin cannot enter. It appears that all peoples of the earth have in their traditions a memory … Continue reading Where is Paradise?
The Sabbath: rest for the body or for the soul?
Philo of Alexandria, defending Jews from Roman accusations of laziness because of their strict observation of the Sabbath, wrote: “On this day we are commanded to abstain from all work, not because the law inculcates slackness. . . . Its object is rather to give man relaxation from continuous and unending toil and by refreshing … Continue reading The Sabbath: rest for the body or for the soul?
Doctrines of the humanist religion – conclusion
Almost everything that a man does is governed by his religious beliefs, even when he professes to have no religion at all! There is within each human a hunger that compels him to seek for answers about his existence. Why am I here? Where did I come from? Where am I going? He needs to … Continue reading Doctrines of the humanist religion – conclusion
The inconvenient Jesus
Jesus was the enemy of formalism and legalism, the one who castigated the religious leaders of His day for their hypocrisy. He was the friend of the poor, the oppressed, the outcasts and the sinners. We like to believe that no matter what others may think of us, Jesus is our unconditional friend. That isn’t … Continue reading The inconvenient Jesus
And the darkness comprehended it not
“And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (John 1:5). Here is a verse where the English language seems to lack a word to fully express what is meant. Darkness, and English synonyms such as obscurity, shadows, blackness, all indicate the absence of light. The word used in French in this … Continue reading And the darkness comprehended it not
All power
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Matthew 28:18 These are bold words, yet coming as they did from the mouth of one who had risen from the dead we must grant their credibility. The question then is, at what point was Jesus … Continue reading All power
Heaven and hell
Atheists consider the teaching in the Bible about a place called hell to be a conclusive argument against Christianity and its belief in a loving God. As a Christian, I consider hell to be part of the good news. I don't any vindictive feelings against other people, but if heaven is to be a good … Continue reading Heaven and hell
The second advent
In the hush of the silent midnight Shall the cry of His coming be? When the day of the Lord's appearing Shall flash over earth and sea? Shall it be at the mornings awaking, And the beams of the golden sun Grow pale and be quenched forever When his journey is just begun? We know … Continue reading The second advent