Author: Patrick Swayne

Assembling Together: A Closer Look at What Hebrews 10:25 Tells Us Not to Forsake

November 13, 2021

The New King James and New American Standard versions of the Bible uphold the language of older translations and have the Hebrews writer encouraging us not to forsake “assembling… together” (Hebrews 10:25 NKJV). Even though newer terminology exists (the ESV/NIV have “meet together”/“meeting together”), I think it was a good call by them. I like … More Assembling Together: A Closer Look at What Hebrews 10:25 Tells Us Not to Forsake

Encountering Apollos: What Today’s Christians Need to Learn from Aquila and Priscilla

August 30, 2021

The Bible contains the stories of many amazing people of faith. When the Holy Spirit wanted to introduce us to one such believer, He piled on the positives through the inspired pen of Luke. This man was: Eloquent in speech Mighty in the Scriptures Instructed in the way of the Lord Fervent in spirit A … More Encountering Apollos: What Today’s Christians Need to Learn from Aquila and Priscilla

A Stone by the Sea: Understanding Sin and God’s Forgiveness

April 25, 2021

The earth was created on the very first day of time (Genesis 1:1). When it was created, its entire surface was covered by water (1:2). This water was divided, first by the creation of the sky on day two (1:6-8), then by the formation of land and seas on day three (1:9-10). Imagine that you … More A Stone by the Sea: Understanding Sin and God’s Forgiveness

Praying Before Meals: Sanctifying a God-Given Tradition

April 15, 2021

On more than one occasion while enjoying a meal with fellow Christians I’ve observed the following: a Christian shows up late, asks if the food has already been blessed, and, upon finding that it has been, proceeds to eat without a moment’s hesitation. In fact, sometimes when a guest has arrived late, I’ve seen a … More Praying Before Meals: Sanctifying a God-Given Tradition

Gloom, Doom, and the Empty Tomb: How the Resurrection of Jesus Should Affect Our Lives and Our Vision of the Future

February 20, 2021

Over 15 years ago I remember hearing a sermon that was entitled something along the lines of, “Can God Continue to Bless America?” The answer the speaker offered, after having outlined the many sins of the American people at large was, “No.” The suggestion given to the audience was to prepare for trials both from … More Gloom, Doom, and the Empty Tomb: How the Resurrection of Jesus Should Affect Our Lives and Our Vision of the Future

Preparing for November 4: How Christians Should Behave Regardless of the Outcome of the Elections

October 29, 2020

By and large, this year’s elections have been characterized by vicious vitriol, sensational sectarianism, and fierce fearmongering. Politicians and pundits of both sides herald sad tidings if the future is held by those across the aisle: the end of liberty; the end of democracy; the end of America. As a Christian, I have to accept … More Preparing for November 4: How Christians Should Behave Regardless of the Outcome of the Elections

Counting the Cost Ancient Christians Paid: Why Properly Evaluating Ancient Trials Is Incredibly Important for Those Facing Modern Ones

October 21, 2020

Teaching someone the Gospel should always involve an exercise I call “counting the cost.” Counting the cost is where you help someone to understand that, though the burden of Jesus is comparatively light to the weight of living without Him (Matthew 11:28-30), there is a burden to be borne and at times a high price … More Counting the Cost Ancient Christians Paid: Why Properly Evaluating Ancient Trials Is Incredibly Important for Those Facing Modern Ones

Engaging Extra-Biblical History: Eleven Suggestions for Becoming a Better Student of History So That You Can Become a Better Student of the Bible

October 15, 2020

When Luke put pen to parchment to tell the story of the first century church, he told a story of conversions, of people who were turning from the way of the world to the Way that is in Christ. If someone were to do the same (minus the parchment no doubt) for the twenty-first century … More Engaging Extra-Biblical History: Eleven Suggestions for Becoming a Better Student of History So That You Can Become a Better Student of the Bible

Navigating the Death of a “Notorious” Public Figure

September 23, 2020

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away on September 18, 2020. She was an incredibly polarizing public figure. Her followers branded her, “The Notorious RBG,” in praise; her opponents would have applied the word notorious to her in a more traditional sense. Since her passing, I’ve seen two very different and very vocal responses … More Navigating the Death of a “Notorious” Public Figure

The Choice Facing Christians After Minneapolis

May 30, 2020

Satan delights whenever man determines to disobey God, especially when that disobedience is directed towards Gods’ command for each man to love his neighbor as himself. I can only image Satan’s joy over the events of the past week. Satan was thrilled when a police officer chose to apply undue brutality without mercy and a … More The Choice Facing Christians After Minneapolis