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.
Who hated Jesus? More than just the Pharisees
Ever hear people say things like we need to be more like Jesus so that more people will like us, because only the Pharisees hated Him? That’s not what we see in Scripture, including the words of Jesus Himself.
How Jesus reacted to an oppressive, godless regime
Imagine your most hated enemies slaughtering your countrymen. Would you want to fight? That happened in Jesus’ time, and His reaction was, you’re no better.
The Biblical case for God’s sovereignty over man’s will
Here are hundreds of examples in Scripture of God exercising control or influence of men’s will and/or actions. It’s an overwhelming case for God’s sovereign power over whatever, and whomever, He pleases.
We don’t grasp how amazing Peter’s story is
Do we really get the magnitude of Peter's denial? Do we grasp how amazing the Lord’s grace and mercy toward him was? This may make you see Peter’s story like you haven't before.
Christ the Divider: How Jesus breaks the unity of humanity
For many people, including some Christians, unity is the highest virtue, and division is the worst offense. But that’s not what we see in the Bible, especially in the words of Jesus.
The absolute, universal, inevitable corruption of power
The axiom "power corrupts" has been fulfilled throughout Scripture and history, even in God’s people. Why, then, do Christians still crave the world's power, when we have an infinitely and eternally superior power working through us?
‘On earth as it is in heaven’ does not mean healing now
Some Christians believe that “on earth as it is in heaven” means we should be healed now, since there’s no sickness in heaven. What the Bible says about our bodies on earth obliterates that idea.
Why Jesus went to the cross, according to the Bible
People give various reasons for why Jesus died on the cross, reflecting many different theologies and worldviews. But the Bible tells us many times over why He was crucified.
Christian, you don’t need more faith to be healed
Have you been praying for a healing only to be told you need more faith? Here’s a comprehensive Biblical case proving that’s not true. Jesus doesn’t need anything to heal us.
Many of us don’t get the way that Jesus gets us
Yes, Jesus gets us, as the ad campaign says. But does it get the way He gets us? If we think that means He affirms us, then we don’t get Him.
Do we come to Jesus as we are, or do we repent? Yes
It’s true that we can’t clean ourselves up before we come to Jesus, but some say salvation necessitates no change at all. A look at what repentance means.
Which Jesus do you believe in? Take this quiz
Any Christian would say they believe in Jesus. But here's a quiz that could determine whether it's really Jesus you believe in. How many things can people get wrong about you before it's not you anymore?
How one church seeks seekers: ‘You’re just right for Jesus!’
A seeker-friendly church reaches out with the affirming message that you’re "just right for Jesus." That's true, but in a way that may be just the opposite of how people hear it.
Fire in the Bible: Not what we think it means
How often have you heard the word "fire" in church and Christian culture? The way the charismatic movement uses that word is almost the opposite of how the Bible uses it.