The commandment says, “Observe the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy.” The Sabbath Day is Saturday, from sundown Friday evening to sundown Saturday evening. The New Testament makes clear that this commandment, according to its terms, is no longer applicable in the Kingdom of God. Respecting holy things is still commanded, but separating out theContinue reading “Should Christians “Keep the Lord’s Day Holy”?”
Category Archives: Theology
Many Beliefs, but Not Many Truths
(or, “Is Truth Only for Those Who Believe It?”) Christians believe that a human being is, from conception, an eternal transcendent soul enfleshed in a physical body, a special creation of God, every one of them—created by God, for God, and in the image of God. A human being is a moral agent accountable toContinue reading “Many Beliefs, but Not Many Truths”
Ten Things We are Commanded to Remember, Observe and Hold Dear
(The Ten Commandments in Positive Form) The Hebrew Scriptures do not refer to what we call the Ten Commandments as “commandments” at all. It refers to them as the “Ten Words,” or the “Ten Things.” Neither does it number them, which is why there are several different numbering schemes in use among Christians and Jews.Continue reading “Ten Things We are Commanded to Remember, Observe and Hold Dear”
Morality and Reality
Suppose technology developed to the point where human beings could be efficiently grown in artificial, easily accessible, test-tube wombs, without the need of sexual intercourse or pregnancy. There would be many advantages to this. Future generations could be carefully grown under ideal conditions, and only the healthiest test-tube humans, and only as many as needed,Continue reading “Morality and Reality”
Some Clarifying Words about Homosexuality
Occasionally in sermons or in a Bible class I will reference homosexuality. When I do so, I think I’m generally pretty clear that homosexuality is sinful and is to be avoided by Christians. Nevertheless, most of us probably know homosexuals, and many have relatives or even close friends who are homosexual. Not only that, butContinue reading “Some Clarifying Words about Homosexuality”
The One Thing Needful and its Enemies
Our life with God is the work of God’s Spirit, which comes to us in His Word. Life in Christ is planted in us through the Word, and it is sustained in us by the Word, and only by the Word. (1 Pet 1:23-25) The Word is our connection to Christ. Without the Word weContinue reading “The One Thing Needful and its Enemies”
Human Sexuality, Chastity and Christian Witness
Christian teaching regarding sex and sexuality is as straightforward to understand as it is often challenging to practice. Put simply, it requires all sexual activity to occur within a monogamous, lifelong, heterosexual marriage relationship. Sexually, anything beyond this comes of evil. This is not just a quirky, arbitrary religious rule about sex — although itContinue reading “Human Sexuality, Chastity and Christian Witness”
In Defense of Denominations
Why Denominations, especially Confessional Denominations, are Good for Us Almost every major denomination in America is and has been losing membership for some time, including the Missouri Synod, and the trend is likely to continue. The primary beneficiaries of all these losses are so-called “non-denominational” churches. Many Christians in America are simply switching to non-denominationContinue reading “In Defense of Denominations”
Sicknesses and Demons
Cleaning an old shed, or a garage, which hasn’t been cleaned in a long, long, time, is not only a dirty business, but sometimes comes with surprises. Dirt on the floor, dust everywhere, boxes stacked on boxes, some broken open, some fallen over. Junk. Lots of junk. Pick through it, one item at a time,Continue reading “Sicknesses and Demons”
After 49 years of Roe v. Wade, Life is Still Sacred
For a Christian, a human person is a sacred thing, the pinnacle of God’s creative work. God Himself became a human being. He didn’t become an angel, but a human person. All creation is designed by God to support human life, and human beings themselves are specifically commanded by God to support it. The mostContinue reading “After 49 years of Roe v. Wade, Life is Still Sacred”