Category: The Christian Spirit

Reflections on living as a disciple of Christ.

Principle: Unity & Union (Part II)

  

Building on the concept that unions must be voluntary and that there must be internal unity before an external union can be successful, we can look at examples in certain nations. Remember the old Soviet Union? The official name was the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics—one of the most dishonest names imaginable. First, it wasn’t a true republic—that would have required representation and the protection of inalienable rights, ideas foreign to its government. Neither was it a true union as understood by this… Read more »

Principle: Unity & Union (Part I)

  

In politics, we are always hearing appeals for “bipartisanship.” That’s great in theory, but overlooks a basic reality. A Biblical prinicple that I call “unity and union” helps explain. Those two words—unity and union—are not the same. Unity is an internal voluntary agreement; union is the external joining of two or more things into one. External unions should be built on internal unity. They really need to be voluntary unions for them to succeed. Forced unions that lack unity will ultimately… Read more »

Who Holds To a Biblical Worldview?

  

Being a Christian is more than having good feelings about Jesus. A real Christian maintains a set of beliefs that are foundational. If any of those basic beliefs are missing, that person either is not a genuine Christian or is teetering on the edge of losing the faith. The Barna group defines a Biblical worldview as believing the following basics: that absolute moral truth exists; the Bible is completely accurate in all of the principles it teaches; Satan is considered… Read more »

The Ultimate Provider

  

As we listen to all the economic news, and see people who are devastated by the losses they have suffered, we might be tempted to forget some big truths. Some of those big truths can be found in the pen of the Apostle Paul, who suffered in many ways as he labored to spread the Good News. While in prison, he wrote, Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am…. Read more »

Change of Heart

  

This political cartoon leads me to say something that I have only hinted at, but need to emphasize. I have been highly critical of the views of our new president, and will remain so. Yet, as a Christian, I believe that even the worst of sinners can change. The apostle Paul started as Saul, the persecutor of Christians. John Newton was a slave trader who was converted and became the writer of “Amazing Grace.” Can Obama change his views? Yes…. Read more »

Just What Exactly Did Those Angels Say?

  

We all know the words, as recorded in the King James Bible and placed in a number of Christmas carols: “peace on earth, goodwill toward men.” But that was the King James version, and I’ve always questioned its accuracy. It seems rather indiscriminate, this goodwill to men, almost like sentimental humanism. It’s always best to check other translations: For instance, the New American Standard says, “peace on earth among men with whom He is pleased.” Now that is different. It… Read more »

Principle: Property–Christian Communism? (Part II)

  

Some Biblical interpreters note a particular incident in the early church that, they say, indicates God is in favor of communism. They refer to the Ananias and Sapphira story. As believers were voluntarily selling property and giving the proceeds to the apostles to help the needy (see the previous post for a fuller explanation of this), one couple, Ananias and Sapphira, came up with a little scheme. They sold some property and brought part of the profit to the Apostle Peter,… Read more »