Author Archives: sorris

Dead to the Law: Studies in Galatians – Lesson 8 (2:17-21)

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Galatians 2:17-21

17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. 18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.  19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.  20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.  21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Continue reading →

Who Is the Messiah?

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Isaiah 9:6 gives us great insight into the person and work of the promised Messiah.  The person of Jesus Christ is the only One who fills the qualifications mentioned in this verse.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

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How God Sometimes Speaks

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Eli was a priest who had been entrusted with the raising of young Samuel.  The Bible provides some interesting insight into how God sometimes communicates with individuals through Samuel and Eli’s experiences.  First, sometimes God speaks at an unexpected time.

And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision. And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; (1 Samuel 3:1-3) Continue reading →

An Example of Bad Pop Theology

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An Example of Bad Pop Theology

A seminary professor once told me that everyone is a theologian.  What he meant is that everyone has an opinion of who God is and what He is like.   When a considerable number of the general population accepts a concept about God, it can be called “pop theology”, meaning that a particular belief about God has become popular (regardless of whether it is true or not).

One belief of pop theology, even among some professing Christians, is that if something bad happens to you, then it can be traced back to sin in your life.  Continue reading →

What a Pagan King Teaches Us about God

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Nebuchadnezzar is one of the most infamous kings of the Old Testament.  He conquered Jerusalem, destroyed the First Temple, and sent the Jews into exile or captivity.  In Daniel chapter 4, however, the king is humbled by God.  After Nebuchadnezzar boasts of his achievements, God gives him an odd mental disease (know in modern times as lycanthropy or porphyria) where he is forced to live as an animal for seven years. Continue reading →