Tom Carson said, “A text without a context is a pretext for a proof text.” While many have misunderstood and subsequently misapplied this quote, coming from a Gospel minister the meaning is clear, when one wishes to they can make the Bible say anything they want it to say. It has been several years ago that a columnist, Mark Woods, writing for the Florida Times-Union wrote an article titled “Context is everything with the Bible.” He was making an argument in support of homosexuality based on the context of what is written in Leviticus. He wrote,“Yes, it says right there that a man should … [Continue reading]
Doomsday or Day of the Lord
With the advent of the nuclear age some scientists got together and invented a metaphor for the end of civilization as we know it, the Doomsday Clock. It first appeared in 1947 and was set 17 minutes to midnight for the curtain to fall on humanity. … [Continue reading]
The Slippery Slope of Compromise
This past Wednesday, January 18, 2023, “The Church of England has announced its support for a proposal that will allow congregations to bless same-sex unions but maintain a traditional definition of marriage.” A suggested compromise between those … [Continue reading]
Is the Bible Reliable?
I recently read two articles; one was titled “10 Bible Verses That Were Changed In Translation,” and “10 Dark And Ungodly Christian Beliefs.” Both are written in a deceivingly winsome style, but the intent is not so innocent. The first leads some to … [Continue reading]
Love and Holiness
Recently, Amy Grant, Christian songwriter, and her country music star husband, Vince Gill, announced they would be hosting Amy’s niece’s wedding on their family farm. Amy said it was her family’s “first bride and bride” nuptials. Amy continued, … [Continue reading]
Reading the Bible in 2023
My wife, Joyce Ann, and I read through the Scriptures together last year and have begun reading through them again. Some may wonder why we discipline ourselves to read through the Bible each year. Here are a few of those reasons. One cannot read … [Continue reading]
Have we forgotten anyone?
Another holiday season is upon us and many are absorbed with Christmas shopping and looking for that gift that is just right for each one on our list. As one grows older the list seems to grow longer. Each year I am reminded of how the hustle and … [Continue reading]
Discriminated Against
Earlier this month a German restaurant in Richmond, Virginia, Metzger Bar and Butchery canceled a reservation made by the faith-based organization The Family Foundation. When the members of learned they had been denied service they said, “We’ve been … [Continue reading]
Does God still speak today?
In 2019 CharismaNews ran an article that reported J. D. Greear, then president of the Southern Baptist Convention, said God can still speak audibly today. What Greear said was he would not “put God in a box” saying what He can or cannot do and went … [Continue reading]
The Scriptures, Science and Race
Ever since the Roman Catholic Church excommunicated Galileo for proposing a heliocentric planetary system and disproving Ptolemy’s geocentric universe, some may believe that science and religion are always at odds. This is not the case. The Roman … [Continue reading]
What is Truth
You may have heard the term “postmodern” and wondered just what exactly was meant by the word. “Post” means “after” and when coupled with the word “modern” refers to a time and manner of thinking that comes after the modern era. It is the time … [Continue reading]
An Attitude of Gratitude
This past July I turned 70 years old. In my short life I have witnessed cultural changes that distress the righteous soul. Typically my articles address the many events occurring in our nation from a biblical perspective. But not this week, as we … [Continue reading]
Mistranslated or Misinterpreted?
There is a new documentary soon to be released titled, “1946, The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture,” and supposedly questions the introduction of the word “homosexual” in biblical translations. The documentary says the use of the word “homosexual” … [Continue reading]
Justice and Forgiveness
Nicolas Cruz, the gunman in the Marjory Stoneman High School massacre in 2018, had his life spared by the jurors who sentenced him to life in prison. In the sentencing phase of a capital case in Florida the jury most vote unanimously for a murderer … [Continue reading]
Coach Kennedy to Coach Again
I wrote about the Supreme Court case won by Coach Joseph Kennedy back in July (July 16, 2022). He is back in the news; after winning his case he is to be reinstated to his former position with the Bremerton School District by March of 2023. To … [Continue reading]
The Truth about Lies
In the June 2017 edition of National Geographic magazine there was an article titled, “Why We Lie: The Science Behind Our Deceptive Ways.” It was interesting what science had to say about the ninth commandment of the Decalogue that reads, “You shall … [Continue reading]
Understanding the Bible
In an article titled “Cherry-picking the Bible and using verses out of context isn't a practice confined to those opposed to vaccines – it has been done for centuries,” John Fea says the following; “From my perspective, the response of some … [Continue reading]
Doomsday or Day of the Lord
With the advent of the nuclear age some scientists got together and invented a metaphor for the end of civilization as we know it, the Doomsday Clock. It first appeared in 1947 and was set 17 minutes to midnight for the curtain to fall on humanity. … [Continue reading]
Christianity and Politics
Patriarch Kirill is the head of the Russian Orthodox Church. He is a supporter of Valdimiri Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and has said the soldiers who die in the war will be cleansed of all their sins. He said, “If a person dies in the performance of … [Continue reading]
Shepherds and Sheep
The Pew Research center is saying that the Christian faith is going to become a minority religion if trends continue on their current trajectory. A report released last year revealed those who claim to be Christians to be 63%, down from 75% a decade … [Continue reading]
Did God Win?
The Supreme Court decision handed down in the case now known as “Dobbs,” ruled that there is no language in the United States Constitution that confers the right to an abortion. The ruling effectively overturned the landmark abortion decision of Roe … [Continue reading]
A Proper Perspective of Prophecy
Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine at Vladimir Putin’s behest was unprovoked and has threatened to end global peace and plunge the planet into World War III. When Jesus was asked by his disciples what would be the sign of His return and the end of … [Continue reading]
Discrimination and Same-sex Marriage
Joshua Payne-Elliott taught world language and social studies at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, a Catholic school. He was fired from his job he had held for thirteen years in 2019. The archdiocese mandated “that all Catholic schools under its … [Continue reading]
Change
Franklin Graham recently returned from England having completed his God Loves You Tour in the United Kingdom. While there the show host Piers Morgan invited Graham to appear on his program “Uncensored.” According to Graham, Piers Morgan … [Continue reading]
United No Longer
I recently reconnected with a childhood friend on Facebook. Our conversation eventually turned to spiritual matters. He told me he was a member of a United Methodist Church and he was concerned the denomination would splinter over LGBTQ issues. I … [Continue reading]
Probably
This is a reprint of an old article from February 2019 that shows how scientists, in this case archeologists, interpret archeological data based on their presopposed biases. A past article entitled Domesticated Camels Came to Israel in 930 B.C., … [Continue reading]
Providential Preservation
The trustworthiness of the Bible is under constant attack from its critics. Christians like myself believe the Bible to be a reliable guide for what we believe and how we should live, but those who hate our faith viciously malign it. A criticism … [Continue reading]
Forgiveness and Justice
This past Thursday, July 28, 2022, at 9:27 pm, Joe Nathan James, Jr., an Alabama inmate was pronounced dead from a lethal injection at a south Alabama prison. James had been convicted in 1994 of stalking and killing a former girlfriend, Faith … [Continue reading]
Interpreting the Bible
I have been a committed and passionate student of the Scriptures since 1973, almost fifty years. My commitment and passion has been fueled by the sure belief that the Bible was inspired and has been preserved by Father God as a reliable guide to His … [Continue reading]
Coach Kennedy and School Prayer
Joseph Kennedy coached a high school football team in the Bremerton School District. He “lost his job as a high school football coach in the Bremerton School District after he knelt at midfield after games to offer a quiet personal prayer.” Some … [Continue reading]
The Roe v. Wade Divide
“Like a trampled spring and a polluted well, is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked,” Proverbs 25:26. This verse means when those who are righteous allow wicked influences to rule, the righteous become defiled by those rules. This is … [Continue reading]
The Decision Overturning Roe v. Wade
“The first to plead his case seems right, until another comes and examines him,” Proverbs 18:17. Friday, June 24, 2022, the United States Supreme Court declared abortion made legal with the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973 to be unconstitutional. In … [Continue reading]
Conversion Therapy
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature, the old things passed away, behold, new things have come,” 2 Corinthians 5:17. President Biden recently signed an executive order directing his administration to protect the LGBTQ community … [Continue reading]
An Argument From Silence
“The first to plead his case seems right, until another comes and examines him,” Proverbs 18:17. A recent article appeared in Yahoo news titled, “Rep. Ted Lieu Silently Schools GOP On Jesus Christ's Comments About Homosexuality.” Representative … [Continue reading]
Pride, One of the Seven Deadly Sins
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling,” Proverbs 16:18. Historically speaking the Seven Deadly Sins are “pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony and sloth.” Some have said these sins are not mentioned in the … [Continue reading]
Sex Abuse and the SBC
Referring to his adultery with Bathsheba the prophet Nathan says to David, “However, because by this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born to you shall surely die,” 2 Samuel 12:14. For … [Continue reading]
The Greatest Apologetic
It has been said, “The first casualty of war is the truth.” This is because the opposing countries in an impending conflict need the support of their respective citizens, and each will do what is necessary to get that support even if they have to lie … [Continue reading]
Mental Illness and Suicide
“The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9. I agree with Dr. Jay Adams, barring an injury to the brain or some disease process that interferes with brain function there is no such … [Continue reading]
The Abortion Status Quo
“For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in … [Continue reading]
Historicity and Regeneration
A recent article published on the Christian News Headlines website shared a discovery that lends support to the historical authenticity of the Bible. The Associates for Biblical Research revealed a leaden amulet with a curse written on it. The … [Continue reading]
Disney Plus
“Like a trampled spring and a polluted well, is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked,” Proverbs 25:26. This verse in Proverbs is an explanation of what happens when righteous people give in to policies and practices advocated and … [Continue reading]
The Resurrection
During the Easter season our thoughts turn to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most pivotal event in human history. Christianity is founded upon it and human history is divided by it. Indeed, Christianity … [Continue reading]
Creation v. Evolution
It is an old story. In the Bible it goes all the way back to the beginning. Theoretical physicists say it goes all the way back to the Big Bang, about 13.81 billion years ago. A recent article in Christianity Today titled “Evangelicals Have Four … [Continue reading]
What is a word?
What is a word? Here are a couple of dictionary answers: a) a unit of language … that functions as a principal carrier of meaning, b) a single distinct meaningful element of speech or writing, c) a speech sound or series of speech sounds that … … [Continue reading]
The Senate Judiciary Hearings
On January 27, 2022, in a White House press conference Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen Breyer announced his retirement. At that time President Biden said, regarding Breyer’s successor, “Our process is going to be … [Continue reading]
Gender Confusion
USA Today has published its list of “Women of the Year.” Some of those “honored” on this list are, vice-president Kamala Harris, Olympian Simone Biles, and trans-identified, Biden appointee, assistant secretary of health at the U. S. Department of … [Continue reading]
Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Bill
The Florida Parental Rights in Education bill has been mischaracterized by its opponents as the “don’t say gay” legislation. The bill, when signed into law by Governor DeSantis, “prohibits classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender … [Continue reading]
Wars and Rumors of Wars
Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine dominates the news headlines, as it should. Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked invasion of the Ukraine is reminiscent of Hitler’s unprovoked invasion of Poland that eventually kicked off World War II. … [Continue reading]
The Dangers of Modern Mysticism
In a pluralistic society such as ours, with its constitutional protections of religious liberty, it is inevitable that there will be various religions actively competing in the marketplace of ideas for adherents and their financial … [Continue reading]
The State of Antisemitism
The Holocaust serves as a stark historical example of where antisemitism can lead. Today, there are those who would extinguish the Jewish state of Israel if they could. There have been reports that antisemitism has grown during the COVID … [Continue reading]
More Inconvenient Truths
The Doomsday Clock was created in 1947 by those scientists who created the Atomic Bomb and is published by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. They realized mankind was now capable of destroying itself and were concerned over the nuclear arms race … [Continue reading]
Suicide and Cheslie Kryst
Sadly, on January 30, 2022, around 7:00 am, Cheslie Kryst, an attorney and former Miss USA 2019, jumped to her death from the 29th floor of the Orion Building in New York City. Suicide always presents us with a disturbing mystery, Why do some take … [Continue reading]
A long, long time ago…
“A long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…” No, this is not the introduction to another Star Wars saga. It is an introduction to the theory of Directed Panspermia that was once espoused by Dr. Francis Crick, the English molecular biologist, … [Continue reading]
The Truth is in Jeopardy
Recently The New York Times ran a story titled, “Amy Schneider Becomes First Woman to Surpass $1 Million on Jeopardy.” The headline is absurd because Amy Schneider is not a woman. He is a self-identified transgender woman which means Amy is a man who … [Continue reading]
Christian Belief and Behavior
I was reading various online articles which I do in the course of research about the many issues I address in my column. A perennial issue raised by critics of Christianity is that those who claim to believe the Scriptures do not always behave … [Continue reading]
Religious Freedom and the Law
It has been reported that, “More than 12,000 military service members refusing the COVID-19 vaccine are seeking religious exemptions, and so far they are having zero success.” This quote is from an article titled, “Troops find religious exemptions … [Continue reading]
Reading the Bible in 2022
My wife, Joyce Ann, and I read through the Scriptures together last year and have begun reading through them again. Some may wonder why we discipline ourselves to read through the Bible each year. Here are a few of those … [Continue reading]
Have we forgotten anyone?
Another holiday season is upon us and many are absorbed with Christmas shopping and looking for that gift that is just right for each one on our list. As one grows older the list seems to grow longer. Each year I am … [Continue reading]
Leaving the Church
November 23, 2021, an article titled, “Former Christians, Tell Us What The Turning Point Was That Made You Leave The Religion,” was published by “Yahoo! Life.” A follow up article was published by “Yahoo! Life” on December 4, 2021, titled, “Former … [Continue reading]
Nascent Human Life
This past December 1st the United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case involving a Mississippi law banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy that challenges Roe v. Wade. The issue in Roe v. Wade was when does human life become a … [Continue reading]
The Focus of Thanksgiving
I read with some interest an article titled “Why some Americans don’t celebrate Thanksgiving,” by Chelsea Ritschel. She writes, “For many Americans, Thanksgiving is a special beloved holiday for eating turkey and spending time with family and … [Continue reading]
They Can’t Steal Christmas
The night before I wrote this article, our church utilized our mid-week service to fill shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Operation Christmas Child is an effort of Samaritan’s Purse to send a shoe box of “toys, gifts, school supplies, … [Continue reading]
PETA’s problem with ‘bullpens’
Every time I think I have heard it all, I come across a story that highlights the devolution of human thought and common sense. PETA is an acronym that stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. The president … [Continue reading]
Atheism, Theism and Science
A recent article titled, “Many scientists are atheists, but that doesn’t mean they are anti-religious,” by Elaine Howard Ecklund and David R. Johnson share their findings based on their research into atheism and science from the book they … [Continue reading]
The Importance of Church Attendance
It is not an overstatement to say the COVID pandemic has significantly disrupted the daily routines of Americans and not only ours but of those around the world. Businesses have closed, possibly permanently, and work habits have changed and some of … [Continue reading]
In Loco Parentis
In a recent gubernatorial debate the two candidates for governor of Virginia addressed their perspective of public education. The Republican nominee, Glenn Youngkin, made the point that parents should have a role in the education of their children … [Continue reading]
The State of Marriage
The findings in a recent poll conducted by the American Family Survey suggested “the numbers continue to see a slight erosion in the public’s evaluation of marriage as an institution.” The American Family Survey first began tracking data related to … [Continue reading]
The Sensibility of Mandates
The city of Los Angeles had recently considered mandating Covid vaccines for everyone in the city. This ongoing emphasis on mandating vaccinations continues to be prominent in the news. I am glad I live in Florida, the state that is mandate … [Continue reading]
The Nature of Faith
Recently, House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a statement on how her faith informs her position on abortion. It was a response to the claim by San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone made regarding the passage of a House Bill … [Continue reading]
When does life begin?
The abortion statutes of Texas were constitutionally challenges in the case of Roe v. Wade. The recent refusal of the Supreme Court of the United States to hear a ban on abortion in that state has brought our nation back full circle to the original … [Continue reading]
Trust and Mandates
I read where White Evangelicals are the one group that is most resistant to being vaccinated. White Evangelicals may be the predominant demographic resisting vaccination, but they are not the only citizens resisting. Why is there resistance to … [Continue reading]
Suicide and the Pandemic
The COVID pandemic has also spawned what has been termed a “pandemic of despair.” One article says, “Suicide rates are higher today than at any other time since the Great Depression.” Could the loss of social interaction brought on by quarantines and … [Continue reading]
Saying and Believing
The late Dr. D. James Kennedy related an account of sharing the Gospel with a woman telling her if she believed in the atonement of Christ she would be saved. She replied, “If I say I believe I can be saved.” Dr. Kennedy corrected her, “No, if you … [Continue reading]
The Only Way
There was an article published at ChristianHeadlines.com titled “60 percent of U. S. Born-Again Christians under 40 Say Salvation Can Be Received through Jesus, Buddha or Muhammad.” That statement came from the results of a … [Continue reading]
The COVID Vaccines
I am going to share my personal thoughts regarding the COVID vaccines. At the outset I want to make it clear that I am not making an argument for or against being vaccinated. I think each person should make whatever decisions they deem necessary … [Continue reading]
Postmortem Conversions?
The magazine Christianity Today published an article titled, “Will My Lost Neighbor Have Another Chance to Receive Jesus After Death?” The article is a book review of James Beilby’s book, “Postmortem Opportunity: A Biblical and Theological Assessment … [Continue reading]
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