There are so many different ways that you can interpret the Scriptures. In fact you can easily make a case for differing positions in hundreds of issues. But, w can basically bring it all down to two primary rails on which to run. There is the “interpretation of varied texts“, and then there are the broader “theological themes”. Another way to say that is there’s a micro approach (verses) and then there’s the macro approach (major themes). It’s not an either-or, but an And -Also. However common to both is to read and interpret the Bible by reading “Jesus into it all“. He IS the WORD you know- unless John (Chapter 1) didn’t know what he was saying. Continue reading ‘Reading With Jesus’
Monthly Archive for December, 2006
Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahamdinejad told a gathering of people two weeks ago that in Iran democracy is practiced! Last week, students who spoke out against him are being hunted down and killed. So much for the right to disagree. Christians in America have rightly challenged the lack of freedom in Iran and the statements that the US, Britain, and Israel will soon no longer exist. Why? Because we’re not following Allah! But how different have we who call ourselves Christian been? Continue reading ‘The Crime Of Disagreement!’
As children of God, knowing that He is love and that love casts out FEAR, why do we yet still fear? Worst of all, why do we get so bent out of shape over what someone else believes as long as they’re not trying to put their beliefs on us? Could it be that what they believe is exposing a lie or a doctrine that we’re embracing and find hard to defend, or even believe ourselves? Let me explain. Continue reading ‘Why Are We Afraid?’
You can look it up by clicking here; however, the short version is when we (mankind) put human qualities on God, that we should not, it’s a violation of who He is. Oh, how good we are at blaming Satan for stuff he doesn’t do (unless you’re using Lucifer as a metaphor for your own bad self- ego). Not that Satan, Lucifer aren’t real now! 
I first came across the above term when it was used by David Lowes Watson, I believe. My memory is not working well today. Is that what they call a “sneior series of moments?” Can you imagine an Oxford educated theologian using such a term? Anyway, back to my point, which is this. Continue reading ‘Anthropomorphic Rape Of God?’
Two days ago, I mentioned the word “franchise” as a modern-day metaphor. Well, today I want to use the patent (maybe a copyright?) as my my analogy-metaphor. I grew up thinking (because I was taught such) that God had granted to the Christian community patent rights to salvation offering salvation to whomsoever would respond to the offering. It sounded so logical. I mean WE, I, carry His last name “Christian“. Then I discovered that Jesus wasn’t the son of Joseph and Mary Christian! His last name was not Christ- He WAS the CHRIST! So what in the world am I saying, some are asking. Glad you asked. Here’s the deal. Continue reading ‘A Salvation Patent?’
Have you ever had one of those days when there are a dozen things on your desk and as you transition from one thing to another, you get interrupted- by God. At least I think it’s God In the middle of writing down what I had to do tomorrow and picking up a book to read, I stopped. I was looking at nothing in particular, nothing had caught my attention, but these are the thoughts that went through my head. Continue reading ‘Thinking About My God!’
As I begin to write this commentary, I’m hearing two phrases. The first is that Jesus died that we might be ONE, but we live that we might be MANY! The second is that Jesus came preaching the Kingdom and what He got was the church! It’s the second point that I want to expound on a little.
In Exodus 34:14 Jesus says that God is a jealous God and that in fact His NAME is JEALOUS! Why we even have a banner that says that! So, what’s up here you ask? Continue reading ‘Who Is The Jealous One?’
We will never make any progress if we don’t question things, anything, everything! What is faith if it is not tested? Surely not faith! A question is not a denial or a negation of what we’re questioning. But I have learned all too well that there are certain questions you cannot even ask without being looked upon as a heathen at best, and a forsaker of your faith at worst. So, here I go anyway. Here’s my question. Continue reading ‘Salvation For Who?’
I Cor. 15:46 tells us “first the natural and then the spiritual”. So, let just do it. It seems to me as though there’s a lot of spiritual tremors being felt. When a shaking occurs (due to an earthquake), one of three events is taking place among the tectonic plates (doctrinal foundations?). In the natural they are called extensional, compressional, and transform. Guess which one The San Andreas fault in California is an example of the latter which slide past each other laterally. Why? Continue reading ‘A Shift Is Underway!’
Constantine, Augustine, & Justinian!
There’s the HOLY trinity (Father, Son, & Holy Spirit) and then there’s the UNHOLY trintiy. On this first ever Friday Night Service as we at LRC move further and further away from man-made traditions, I’d like to do a brief review of how we “got here“.
First comes Constantine (272-337)who told the church when to meet- Sunday. The comes St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430) who totally perverted the Word of God and caused us to believe in a God who planned to burn 95% of His creation in agony and torment for eternity. Talk about sadistic! Finally, we have Justinian 1 (483-565). Ready to find out some tough stuff? Continue reading ‘Constantine, Augustine, & Justinian!’