“Can you see anything?” What a question to ask! Howard Carter’s mouth and eyes opened wide when his aide asked it. He had stuck his head into a timeless tomb. Beads of perspiration popped out on the British archaeologist’s brow. For six straight years, he had been digging. Endless trenches. Tons of rubble, rocks, and […]
Read MoreCategory Archives: Bible
Charting the Course to Biblical Literacy
Christ’s church has fallen into a troubling rut. Studies show that Christians know less of the Bible than at any other time in recent history. The level of Bible knowledge has decreased even among our best and brightest. One administrator of more than 20 years at a Christian college noted, “Our assumption now is that […]
Read MoreBeing the Beatitudes
On the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee there is a hill, green and gently sloped and overlooking deep, blue waters. From this hill a panorama unfolds of the early ministry of Jesus—healing in nearby Capernaum, calling His first disciples to fish for men, and simple yet profound teaching that continues to change lives […]
Read MoreBasic Bible Study Tools
The more serious you become about personal Bible study, the more you will be aware of the importance of owning some good study tools. Numerous books are available today, some of which are listed below. You should form the habit of purchasing at least one study aid per month for your own library. 1. Bibles […]
Read MoreFamine
The word hangs like an awful omen in our heads. Mentally, we picture brutal, grotesque images. Cow’s ribs and hips protrude. Babies’ eyes are hollow. Bloated stomachs growl angrily. Skin stretches across faces tight as a trampoline. The outline of the skull slowly emerges. Joints swell. Grim, despairing stares replace smiles. Hope is gone . […]
Read MoreCool Scepticism
Nine-year-old Danny came bursting out of Sunday school like a wild stallion. His eyes were darting in every direction as he tried to locate either his mum or dad. Finally, after a quick search, he grabbed his daddy by the leg and yelled, “Man, that story of Moses and all those people crossing the Red […]
Read MoreBiblical Illiteracy
During my days serving as a pastor in New England, I heard of a teacher named Thayer S. Warshaw who quizzed a group of university-bound students on the Bible. The quiz preceded a Bible as Literature course he planned to teach at the Newton (Massachusetts) High School, generally considered a top secondary school in the […]
Read MoreBeing Knowledgeable
Slice it any way you wish; ignorance is not bliss. Dress it in whatever garb you please; ignorance is not attractive. Neither is it the mark of humility nor the path to spirituality. It certainly is not the companion of wisdom. On the contrary, ignorance is the breeding ground for fear, prejudice, and superstition . […]
Read MoreBack to the Basics in Russia
When darkness falls on Easter Saturday, the Christians at Golgotha Church in Moscow gather for a special service. We sing and, as pastor, I teach through the account of the Passion Week of Jesus, step by agonizing step. The service lasts deep into the night. As midnight approaches, we focus on Christ’s death. And when […]
Read MoreA Downward Spiral
When the book of Judges opens, the people of Israel had just come off of the experience of a great victory—they had conquered the land of Canaan and divided the land among themselves. When their leader Joshua died, however, no one stepped in to take his place. And this was the plan of God, to […]
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