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 →

Being Holy in an Unholy World

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Holiness has become a dying discipline among God’s people.  This is a tragedy and one which should be remedied.  Holiness is the primary theme in the book of Leviticus to the people of Israel and a common theme in the Bible as a whole.  In short, God tells us in His Word, “Be different!  Do not act like everyone else.  You are special to Me.  Be like Me.” Continue reading →

But I Don’t Feel Like It

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“But I don’t feel like it!”  This is a common excuse I hear from my children on a regular basis when I ask them to do something.  However, it is an excuse that adults often use as well.  In the Christian life there are a number of practices we might call “Christian disciplines”.  These include prayer, Bible study, worship, and witnessing.  Too often we neglect these disciplines for no better reason than we just don’t feel like practicing them.  Continue reading →