A deeper look at familiar Bible passages

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman – a different view

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman. It’s part of John’s gospel that is often talked about. However, here’s a different view of it. Sure, it’s important to show that the “living water” that Jesus offered was for everyone. What if we look at it from the point of view of the Great Commission? Not just as we’re to spread the word to all nations. But as an example or template of how to go about spreading the gospel?

Notice the word on the chalkboard. “Feedback”. It seems like when we spread the gospel, we tend to want to talk. Just keep saying the nice “churchy” words, and people will get the message. They’ll say the so-called sinners prayer – which doesn’t exist – and be saved. Not.

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Which god provides salvation for us?

A deeper look at familiar Bible passages, Featured Posts

Which god provides salvation for us? Different people have different “gods” or deities. Even those who claim to have no “god” have one – maybe they view themselves as “the deity” of their own world. From there, we should recognize that outside of people who believe this life is “all there is” – we want something from our deity. One of those things we want from our “god” is “salvation” – we want that “god” to save us from something.

Which god provides salvation for us? More

Do Christians really know what “Christian Hope” is?

A deeper look at familiar Bible passages

Do Christians really know what “Christian Hope” is? In a word – no.

“Most of we Christians are blind to the truth of who we really are, and so are afraid to enter the valley of the shadow of death to find the light beyond it. Our hope is that we’ll find it in the next life and so remain powerless in this life, yes?”

from “Waking Up: To Who You Really Are (If You Dare)” by Ted Dekker

I really like reading Ted Dekker.

Although – sometimes it’s just so hard realizing that what he says is just a bit too true.

Do Christians really know what “Christian Hope” is? More

Are we supposed to Believe God, Believe in God or Follow God?

A deeper look at familiar Bible passages

Are we supposed to believe God – believe in God – or follow God? Are those three sets of words all different? Or do they all mean the same thing? Well, it depends. When were you born? What culture do you live in / come from? Most important, are you willing to learn what they meant when they were said? In some cases, that’s almost two thousand years ago. In others, several thousand years ago. We need to look at what they meant when they were said, in order to understand what they mean today.

Are we supposed to Believe God, Believe in God or Follow God? More

The Sermon On The Mount – Introduction

A deeper look at familiar Bible passages

I doubt that a huge number of people today would refer to Christianity as counter-cultural. In fact, being in what’s called a post-Christian era, more people are likely to view Christianity as the old way – much like young people don’t use email, Facebook, and countless other “old” technologies.

The question is – why not? Christianity should be very much a counter-culture. The fact that it isn’t, I believe, is more related to how Christianity is practiced than it is to what Christianity is really about. I’m talking about the Christianity of Jesus – not the Christianity of man. Not the European model, where people are more into following The Force, as in Star Wars, or being a “none”. And not the Christianity of America, where the so-called prosperity Gospel seems to have more followers than anything close to what Jesus actually spoke about.

So as you read this, think about Jesus’ words in that counter-culture way. Maybe it’s not what you’re used to hearing. But they are, after all, His words. They aren’t the watered down or misinformed words that are spoken or written about by people who don’t even follow Jesus’ teaching themselves. Think the “yeast of the Pharisees” here.

The Sermon On The Mount – Introduction More

What does religion have to do with Wall Street pay?

A deeper look at familiar Bible passages

Think about things like that when you can. Remember that the corporations are made up of people. At the top. And at the bottom. And really, the church is also made up of people. So when it comes to the question of religion and Wall Street pay – the simple truth is that we – people – are on both sides of that question.

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If we quit …

A deeper look at familiar Bible passages

If we quit, all we do is prove those who said we couldn’t do it were right.
If we try something, we may or may not succeed.
But if we quit, failure is guaranteed.

Some may not like what I just said – for lot’s of different reasons.

Maybe you don’t believe in God. Sorry – I’m not going to address that issue here. There’s plenty of other articles you can check out though.
Maybe you don’t believe in the devil. Same answer.
Maybe you’re a Christian and remember verses like this one –
Jn 14:14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Yet again – sorry, although for a different reason.

If we quit … More

Let the dead bury the dead

A deeper look at familiar Bible passages

Let the dead bury the dead. What does that even mean? How can one dead person bury another one? Actually, the more common translation is “let the dead bury their own dead”. But still – we’re not talking a horror movie here. This is a quote from the Bible. From Jesus. I don’t remember ever reading about this verse in a book. Don’t remember hearing it in a sermon either. I only remember reading it in the Bible. Right now though, I feel like I’m living it.

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Real Christianity isn't easy. You do not want to leave too, do you?

Being a real Christian isn’t easy. You do not want to leave too, do you?

A deeper look at familiar Bible passages

Becoming a Christian is easy. You know – say the sinner’s prayer and voila, you’re a Christian. Or so we’re often told. But, saying “I’m a Christian”, or being told, “You’re a Christian” – does that really make someone a “real” Christian? No, it doesn’t. Being a real Christian isn’t that easy. It takes a lot more than just some words. Many who start off on the path to becoming believers end up leaving that path. At one point, Jesus even asked His closest followers, You do not want to leave too, do you?

Being a real Christian isn’t easy. You do not want to leave too, do you? More

The Lord gives and The Lord takes away

A deeper look at familiar Bible passages

The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. It’s a pretty common saying. It’s most likely to be used when something bad happens. Like it’s supposed to make people feel better. And it might actually accomplish that goal – if it was told correctly. It’s like the old thing about the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So here’s the truth about the Lord gives and the Lord takes away. It’s true. However, it’s not the whole truth. Therefore, it isn’t actually “nothing but the truth”.

The Lord gives and The Lord takes away More