Category: Bible Study

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

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

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

Exegeting Easter’s Origins: Neither Biblical nor Pagan (but Important to Consider)

April 5, 2020

Normally around this time of year, if someone who is not a member of the church of Christ finds out I’m a minister, they’ll say something about Easter. More than once someone has said, “This must be a busy time of year for you.” This gives me the opportunity to point out that, “Actually, we … More Exegeting Easter’s Origins: Neither Biblical nor Pagan (but Important to Consider)

When Exegesis Emigrated; or, When Eisegesis Immigrated; or, When a Preacher’s Perspective on Politics Prevailed Over Reason

February 26, 2018

Don’t let politics, peer pressure, or personal biases lead you to try to put in the Bible what simply doesn’t belong.   … More When Exegesis Emigrated; or, When Eisegesis Immigrated; or, When a Preacher’s Perspective on Politics Prevailed Over Reason