The Great Commission » God versus religion

Do Christians want power?

Do Christians want power? What kind of question is that? Look around. Of course Christians want power. Check out the Republican Party. Witness the strange almost worship-like adoration of Donald Trump by so many Evangelical Christians. They want power. So why does Scot McKnight say Christians don’t want power? And why is he right? How, in the face of all we see, can McKnight possibly be correct when he says Christians don’t want power?

Actually, both statements are correct – Christians do want power. But also don’t want power. It’s not really a question of whether or not Christians want power. It’s a question of what do we mean by power.

Do Christians want power? More

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman – a different view

Bible Study, Reflective Bible Study

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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Truth + Half-Truth = Half-Lie = Lie

Politics, government, religion and God

Truth + Half-Truth = Half-Lie = Lie. It’s a progression. We start with the truth. Add in something that’s not quite true. Now it’s a half-truth. But it’s really half-lie. And the conclusion we reach with that half-lie is almost certainly an outright lie. The big question is, are we willing to acknowledge that? Maybe even, are we capable of acknowledging that? Or are we so conditioned to even the half-lie that we think even something with the tiniest piece of truth must really be true?

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love without caring - heart shaped bowls

The problem of love without caring

The problem of ...

We use the word love so much these days that it often doesn’t seem to mean much. There’s lots of love, but without caring. For instance, I love sushi, especially ikura and uni. Add a quail egg, and there’s even more to love. But does that love include caring? No. It’s just food, there’s no

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

Application Bible Study, Bible Study

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

Blessed are those who mourn

The Beatitudes

Blessed are those who mourn. Oh yeah. That’s a message we all want to hear. Especially when it’s translated as “happy are those who are unhappy”. But remember, this is Jesus. Everything’s either upside down or backwards. After all, Jesus is the one who said, Mt 20:16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” So what else should we expect?

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The Great Omission from The Great Commission

Grown-again Christian

If we are going to do something about the Great Disparity between Christianity as promised in the Bible versus Christianity as experienced in life today, we really must perform The Great Commission, not The Great Omission.

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A trip to Hell – on the way to Heaven

Grown-again Christian

Think about this as part of our trip to Hell. Not after we’re dead – not while we’re on the way to Heaven – because that’s too late. I say, think about it right now. Well, how about after you finish reading this.

While we’re “visiting” in Hell, we’ll see all of our friends and loved ones who’ve died, and didn’t make ti to Heaven. Now, think about how many of those friends we reached out to while they were alive. How many of them did we share the Gospel with? How many of them did we try to steer away from Hell, but instead put them on their way to Heaven?

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Can I trust what I think I know?

A look at ourselves

Is what I know real knowledge or just knowledge? Well, that depends. Knowledge has a dictionary definition. But there’s also a social component related to what can be known and therefore can be considered knowledge. And then there’s our own brains that also get involved in what we consider knowledge, as opposed to something less than knowledge.

Can I trust what I think I know? More

Grown-again Christian

Have you ever heard of a Grown-again Christian? Me neither. But the Apostle Paul did. “But for right now, friends, I’m completely frustrated by your unspiritual dealings with each other and with God. You’re acting like infants in relation to Christ, capable of nothing much more than nursing at the breast.” The Message

Grown-again Christian More