John’s Message and the Professor
Using God’s Light to Reveal our Spiritual Condition In 2 Corinthians 13:5 Paul wrote, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” Paul was concerned that Christians should not be apathetic about their spiritual condition; they…
Striking Syria
The story of Joash, Elisha, and the arrow of the LORD’s deliverance is confusing. Why would God withhold blessing from someone who obeys? This obscure story may not make sense at first, but it reveals the character of true obedience…
Egerton’s Eight Species: A Tool for Thinkers
Egerton’s eight species is a remarkable tool for thinkers. By thinkers, I don’t just mean philosophers. I include analysts, writers, leaders, speakers, and anyone else who deals with ideas and concepts. You are probably wondering what I am talking about….
Four Facts about the Apocrypha
The CIA and the Apocrypha are similar. We know that both exist, and we know that both are important. But beyond this, most people don’t know much about either. We are in the dark, ignorant of, and perhaps a little…
God’s Humility
The world is full of busy people – people who are pursuing success, and who do not have time to think about you or me. Pouring all their energy into career, goals, or pleasure, they hardly notice anyone or anything…
Stoning Your Sin in the Valley of Achor
The death of Achan is one of the more gory tales of the Bible. The harsh punishment meted out, not only on the man, but also on his whole family, may seem at least primitive, if not excessive. But as…
When America Tried Socialism
In 1620, English settlers began an experiment with one of the most attractive and bewitching economic concepts known to society: public ownership. Today we know these settlers as ‘the pilgrims’ who founded Plymouth Colony, but at the time, they were…
Book Review: The Guns of August
The Guns of August, by Barbara W. Tuchman, copyright 1962. ISBN 978-0-38623-6, 640 pages, five stars. How could a seemingly civilized and settled world suddenly erupt into a bloody, four-year-long riot of mechanized massacre called the First World War? This…
Slow Down!
Are you busy? Being busy is often a fault, and an easily overlooked one. I’m not saying this because I’ve attained equilibrium, serenely watching the rest of the world struggle with busyness. No, on the contrary, I am writing –…
Hymn of the Divine Attributes (Psalm 99)
1 Jehovah reigns, enthroned in heaven’s host, Let trembling seize the highlands and the coast. 2 In Zion’s streets his greatness is extolled, His ancient fame surpassing men of old. 3 That name, sublime in terror to address…