God - God versus religion

Messed up American Theology: Is The Trinity One Christian God?

The Trinity: Is there one Christian God? In other words, do you agree with the following statement? There is one true God in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Would you believe, only 56% of Americans strongly agreed with that statement? As of 2019, about 65% of the population of the U.S. claims to be Christian. That means at least 9% of them don’t agree that there is one Christian God, made up of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Oops.

Truth is, that number could be over 9%. There are likely quite a few non-Christians that would know Christianity teaches about the Trinity: one God in three Persons. Even Muslims know about the Trinity in Christianity, even though they teach it’s not correct. Oops again.

Messed up American Theology: Is The Trinity One Christian God? More

Blessed are those who are persecuted

The Beatitudes

Blessed are those who are persecuted. Huh? Persecuted for what? And why? Why is it a blessing to be persecuted? And what is the blessing that’s received? If you don’t know what this is about, it probably sounds like someone’s really into being dumped on. But then, if you’re a regular here, you know what this is about. It’s the conclusion to our series on the Beatitudes.

Blessed are those who are persecuted More

Do we know what the Apocalypse will be like? (It’s not COVID-19)

A look at ourselves, Book of Revelation

Do we know what the apocalypse will be like? According to something I just read, apparently we don’t have a clue. For all the disaster, end-of-the-world, apocalyptic movies that are out there, we just don’t know. Not even close. And there’s a reason for that. Hang in there – I’ll tell you shortly.

But for now, here’s what brought up the question today. There was this article on msn.com titled These States May Face ‘Apocalyptic’ COVID-19, Says Virologist. Sure, they put Apocalyptic in quotes. It’s not really the end of the world. Yet. As far as we know. Or as far as what we can gather from the Bible. The preconditions for it just haven’t been met.

Do we know what the Apocalypse will be like? (It’s not COVID-19) More

The problem of hating people of color

Barriers to Belief, The problem of ...

Do you know what’s the problem of hating people of color? Well, one of many, actually. So, so many. But if you’re a regular here, you should know what’s going on with that question. In “the problem of …” articles, I often write about things that might keep someone who claims to be Christian from entering Heaven. On this site, that generally means things we love so much here on earth that we’d rather try to hang on to them than go to Heaven. But this one’s the other way around.

The problem of hating people of color More

The problem when too much freedom means little freedom

The problem of ...

The problem of too much freedom – how to compromise.

Let’s take just two issues and see what happens with compromising when there’s too much freedom. When I say “too much freedom”, I mean when we pretty much start from scratch, which is what’s going on in this Seattle autonomous zone. And probably in most situations like it. Well, except for the reality that we never really start from scratch.

The problem when too much freedom means little freedom More

Blessed are the peacemakers

The Beatitudes

Blessed are the peacemakers. But who / what are peacemakers? Some of you will think of a Colt handgun. Or a strategic bomber. Or maybe even an MX Missile. If you’re Christian, or think you’re Christian, hopefully those aren’t the first things that come to mind. Why not? Because Blessed are the peacemakers is something Jesus said. It’s one of the Beatitudes, from the Sermon on the Mount.

Blessed are the peacemakers More

What a tangled web we weave when we try to deceive God – Part 1

A deeper look at familiar Bible passages, What a tangled web we weave

What a tangled web we weave when we’re double-hearted. It happens a lot. We want one thing. We know we should want another thing. It’s like those old commercials where there’s an angel on someone’s shoulder. And a devil on the other shoulder. Both tell us what to do. We’d like to get the angel to tell us that what the devil said is OK.

And in the commercial – that can happen. Like with chocolate milk. Unfortunately, in real life – as in a good versus evil scenario – that’s just not going to happen. Why not? Because those aren’t the real life choices.

What a tangled web we weave when we try to deceive God – Part 1 More

Is Covid-19 a modern-day Exile?

A look at ourselves

Is Covid-19 a modern-day exile scenario?

We look at the virus as a bad thing, maybe from God. However, those who have read the Bible know that sometimes God allows bad things in order to bring about better things. Or to wake up His people.

So, what if this is God’s way of showing us that we need to wake up? We’re supposed to be living in this world as if we’re in exile – right here, wherever we are. In exile from our Heavenly home. But we’re too busy turning this into a false “heaven on earth” kind of thing.

And we’re falling in love with it. And by doing that, we’re at risk of losing our real Heavenly home that God created for us.

Is Covid-19 a modern-day Exile? More

Does God punish us today, like when He didn't allow Moses to enter the Promised Land?

Will God punish us today, like when He didn’t allow Moses to enter the Promised Land?

Bible Study, Reflective Bible Study, The Beatitudes

Does God punish us today, like when He didn’t allow Moses to enter the Promised Land? That’s a question that came up when we were studying one of the Beatitudes – Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. You can maybe see how the question might arise. And how it seems important. After all Moses did to lead God’s people in the Exodus, he didn’t live long enough to set foot in the Promised Land. So what chance do we have?

Will God punish us today, like when He didn’t allow Moses to enter the Promised Land? More

The first amendment versus the Greatest Commandment

A look at ourselves

Which is more important to Christians? The first amendment versus the Greatest Commandment? Let me rephrase that. Which should be more important? It’s the Greatest Commandment, isn’t it? Or did I miss something?

I’m asking because of something that’s happening now. Just one example is in a recent CBS News headline:

Pastor holds services despite virus ban, citing 1st Amendment

It’s shocking. As a Christian, it’s also very disappointing. I get it – churches want to meet. But what happened to the Greatest Commandment?

The first amendment versus the Greatest Commandment More