This week is one of our culture’s high feasts. We may lament that many do not know what Christmas really means, or they have bent it into some other strange meaning, but the fact remains quite a striking one—this time of year, every year, the birth of Jesus Christ is marked and celebrated. Other contenders …
The First Violence
The first act of violence in our world’s history was done to Adam by God. God placed Adam into a deep coma-like sleep, opened up his side, and removed a rib, from which He fashioned Eve (Gen. 2:21-22). This happened before the Fall, and the bloodshed involved was therefore not a consequence of sin. Having …
Accountability in Church Government
“I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who love to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us” (John the Apostle) Because the world is a fallen place, it is not surprising that what we call “accountability” is necessary. Because of the scriptural teaching about the fallen nature of man, even when such a …
And a Merry Christmas to You Too, Christopher
Christopher Hitchens is over at Slate, bah humbugging away like crazy. I know, that’s what he always does, but here he is more focused, and the subject is Christmas, which is where bah humbugs are more appropriately out of place. If you know what I mean. And the issue, of course, is not tinsel, or …
Here You Go
Here’s the next one. The documentary now has a name.
The Four-Office View
The local church is where most Christians come into contact with the government of the church, and, not surprisingly, there is considerable debate about the government of the local church. The purpose here is to sketch some the various positions that have been taken, and give a few scriptural indications of what I believe to …
A Star Out of Jacob
INTRODUCTION: One of the most familiar elements of the Christmas story is the star of Bethlehem. But at the same time, it remains one of the most unknown features of the story—because unlike the wise men, we don’t really look straight at it. THE TEXT: “I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold …
What Does the Seal Do?
Before moving on to our next topic, Green Baggins has taken a moment to respond to my statements about his views of baptismal efficacy. Before I engage with him at this point, let me say again how much I appreciate Lane’s continued endeavors in all of this. Pete Myers, a judicious commenter both here and …
Of Course, Lots of Things Make Me Happy
A dusting of snow in Malibu. Real snowfall in Las Vegas. A boatload of snow dumped on us last night. We are in for another real winter it appears, two of them back to back. Spokane, just up the road from us, had to go to DefCon5 snow removal, or whatever they call it, running …
Okay. I Give Up.
A shameless appeal of another kind . . . I have been playing around with gmail for a while, and like pretty much everthing about it. But one thing I cannot figure out how to do (and I know there must be a way to do it) is how to change the default settings for …