“Where are you from?” To many, that question is an innocent inquiry of your past. People want to learn more about where you lived so they can get to know you. And as soon as you respond with a city, state, or country, they'll learn a lot more than the answer you give. A simple location gives presumptions of your social … [Read more...]
How to Read the Bible and Understand It: A Beginner Guide
“You need to read your Bible.” That statement is one of the most frustrating remarks in the Church today. No, not because reading the Bible is a bad thing, but because we neglect the skills needed for beginners to do so. From my experience, people’s willingness to read the Bible isn’t the problem. The biggest issue they … [Read more...]
Why Did Jesus Die on the Cross? Understanding Salvation’s Requirement
"Why did Jesus die on the cross?" Whole books have been written on that question. My goal here though is to answer it in about 5 minutes. I pray the excerpt below gives you the understanding you need, but if you have more questions, feel free to ask away. Why Did Jesus Die? Understanding Salvation To know why … [Read more...]
Biblical Election and Predestination Explained (Or, How You Really Become a Christian)
Destiny. That is the world’s most mysterious concept. Does destiny really exist? Is it possible for us to know it? And do our actions even matter at all? Numerous books, movies, and songs have explored those questions. People like having control of their lives, so the idea of a predetermined fate is met with anger … [Read more...]
Marathon Mentality 5: A Race Ran Faithfully
…For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1 Tim 4:8 ESV) I’ve focused most of this series on the general endurance needed to run the races of life, but now, we’ll look at the Christian perspective. The Bible makes … [Read more...]
How to Spot False Teachers: 4 Bible-Based Tests
Alright, let’s face it... Christians today are pretty gullible. Most of us will believe anyone who’s fluent in Christianese. Of course, it doesn’t help that most believers simply don’t read the Bible. And many pastors are too busy "inspiring" others instead of actually teaching it. But that’s why I wrote this … [Read more...]
6 Biblical Signs of a Good Pastor or Bible Teacher
Choosing a pastor is one of the most important things every Christian will do. Few people have as much spiritual influence as our pastor, so choosing wisely is a must. You wouldn’t trust a failing med student to perform your surgery. And you wouldn’t want a blind dentist to mess with your teeth. So why not hold the same … [Read more...]
5 Things Jesus Did That the Church Must Improve At
Fully divine and fully human. That combination makes Jesus Christ the most significant Person in history (John 1:14). Jesus’ work on the cross and subsequent resurrection proved He was much more than a moral teacher. He not only gave the perfect example of how God wants us to live, but He also accomplished what we could … [Read more...]
“All Christians are Hypocrites”, and Why I’m Not Religious Anymore
Religion and the internet. Name a more controversial duo. I was browsing one of my favorite subreddits yesterday when I was reminded of that troublesome pairing. There was a post describing a young man’s difficult choice and how his religion led him to make it. He was a fellow Christian whose stance I agreed with, but I … [Read more...]
5 Observations of an Undercover Bible Teacher That Will Improve Your Approach to Evangelism
Picture James Bond without the British ties, the intricate gadgets, and the promiscuous lifestyle. Instead of a license to kill, he has qualifications to teach. And rather than stopping the complex schemes of eccentric madmen with tactical flair, verbal sparring, and obvious plot armor, his mission is to spread a simple … [Read more...]
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