The Bible has numerous critical statements about “works,” particularly “works of the law.” Paul repeatedly emphasizes that we are justified through faith in Christ, not by performing works of the law. Salvation “is not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph. 2:8, NKJV). However, “good works” are a different story. According to my search in…
Some people reading the title of this article might be puzzled as to why anyone would even pose such a question. “Of course you can! How else can you spread the gospel?” they might think. For Christians who believe in general atonement, the idea that Christ died for every individual in the same manner, this…
At first sight, the conversation between Abraham and God in Genesis 18 might seem like one of the most peculiar stories in the Bible. Abraham bargaining with God over the destruction of Sodom, and God negotiating the terms of judgment with a mere mortal? It’s a narrative that I wouldn’t have dared to fabricate.Upon further…
I recently delivered a sermon on Jesus’s most revolutionary ethical principle: “love your enemies” (Matt. 5:44). This teaching is like Mount Everest among ethical instructions, earning respect from both Christians and non – Christians alike. However, due to our modern understanding of love, it’s easy to misinterpret what Jesus really meant. So, what did Jesus…
One of my favorite songs is “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears. Beyond being a great example of 80s music, it touches on a profound truth. Think about something like the human desire to climb mountains, essentially “dominating” parts of the natural world. Over the past six decades, thousands of people…
Often, it’s the little things in life that bring the most pleasure. For instance, after playing soccer in the driving rain and cold, taking a hot shower is a simple yet delightful experience. When I get home, covered in mud, I peel off my stiffening soccer gear and watch as the warm, soapy water rinses…
On January 21, 1525, as snow blanketed the narrow streets of Zurich, a group of young Swiss reformers gathered secretly inside Felix Manz’s home, which was in the shadow of the Grossmünster cathedral. The frigid air outside contrasted sharply with the passionate prayers and intense discussions filling the room. This gathering was illegal; Zurich’s city…
When we think about “Gospel narratives,” our minds typically turn to the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These are, after all, the primary accounts we have of Jesus’s life. For an in – depth exploration of Jesus and his ministry, the four Gospels are unparalleled. However, there’s one book that comes surprisingly close:…