Category: The Christian Spirit

Reflections on living as a disciple of Christ.

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 »

Principle: Property–The Intangibles

  

Mention property, and nearly everyone will focus on material possessions. We naturally think in terms of money, land, homes, etc., as being the essence of property. Yet those are merely the external forms of property–the things we can see or touch. There are other properties that are more significant, and which form the basis for the external properties. God has given us internal properties: a mind with which to think; emotions with which we can interact with the world and… Read more »

An Appeal to My African-American Brothers & Sisters

  

I am of the opinion that, Biblically, there is only one race, and that it is called “human.” Man is the one who has invented the idea of different races. In fact, we are all beings made in the image of God. Externals such as skin color are not that important. Yet we make them important to our detriment. If we are Christians, that is our primary identity. Everything else is secondary to that. The real division in the world… Read more »

Burdens, Anger, Sorrow, and Prayer

  

As I sit down and write in this blog today, I’m not really sure where my thoughts are going to end up. All I know is that I am terribly burdened for the future of this nation. Christians sometimes talk about feeling a burden for a specific person or problem; well, that’s where I am today. Where is the line between anger and sorrow? I reach a point where I don’t want to hear the same old lies over and… Read more »

Prophet or Priest?

  

As a Christian, what am I supposed to be when commenting on politics? Am I to be the prophetic voice, warning against the dangers of voting wrongly and following wrong policies? Am I to be the compassionate voice that draws people to God by staying away from controversy? Is it possible to be so prophetic in one’s approach that people are turned away from the truth? Likewise, is it possible to be so open and compassionate toward those with differing… Read more »

A Truly Christian Discussion

  

I had a great experience last evening. As part of Constitution and Citizenship Day at Southeastern University, I moderated a panel discussion on politics. First, I presented, without comment, planks from both the Democratic and Republican platforms on such issues as: national defense and terrorism; government reform; energy policy; education; environmentalism; abortion; and marriage, among others. After I finished, I turned the program over to a panel of four Southeastern faculty members, who made comments on items in the platforms,… Read more »