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 The New Testament makes clear that this commandment, according to its terms, is no longer applicable in the Kingdom of God.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”?”
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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”
Culture and Counterculture
Christianity and the Church used to be very much part of our nation’s culture. I don’t mean to say that most Americans were Christians. They weren’t really Christians, but they were culturally Christians. Seventy-five years ago Most people were connected to a church, even if only nominally. In fact, almost half attended worship services fairlyContinue reading “Culture and Counterculture”
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”
Is There Anything Wrong with Green Hair?
I suppose the first question to address is why anybody would want to dye their hair green in the first place. The short answer is, they want to express themselves, that is, their unique, inner self, and they want other people to notice (and hopefully appreciate) their uniqueness. They want to stand out, and greenContinue reading “Is There Anything Wrong with Green Hair?”
On the Way
To the one who is lost and sunk in the practical—or real—atheism of our present culture, to you I say: Without God, you have nothing, because without God there is nothing. Without Him you will never have anything. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. If you want to get anywhere, start there.Continue reading “On the Way”
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”
Enemy Within the Gates: Our Culture and Our Church
I wrote last week about radical individualism and promised a follow up. Here is the follow up: Since the end of the Second World War, there has been a profound shift in the thinking of our culture, a shift away from an objective, God-centered understanding of reality and of the individual’s place within it (aContinue reading “Enemy Within the Gates: Our Culture and Our Church”
Theology, Political Theory and the Virtue of Authenticity
I have had a number of fairly intense debates / discussions of late, mostly, but not entirely, with young Christians, regarding abortion, homosexuality, and LGBT lifestyle issues. I have been struck by the intensity of their feelings and by their sincerity. What have I heard? Dissatisfaction with a perceived lack of compassion among traditionally-minded ChristiansContinue reading “Theology, Political Theory and the Virtue of Authenticity”
First Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod) 