Tag: Scriptures

By micoots
03/02/2017 0

When Bible Translations Disappoint

There are no perfect translations. What we ought to seek is a good, consistent execution of a sound philosophy of translation. There is debate, of course, among Bible translators as to what that is but the ESV was adopted by many Reformed and evangelical folk because it promised to follow an “essentially literal” translation. In the latest revisions, however, it does not seem to be following that philosophy consistently.

Late modern Americans face a plethora of choices in English-language Bible..

By micoots
03/02/2017 0

Ministry to the Whole Person – Matthew 4:23

Key PassageJesus went everywhere in the country of Galilee. Jesus taught in the synagogues and told the Good News about the kingdom of heaven. And Jesus healed all the people's diseases and sicknesses.
— Matthew 4:23 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key ThoughtPreaching, teaching and healing. Three key elements of authentic ministry are (1) proclaiming the good news of God's Kingdom, (2) teaching people how to live obediently to the will of God, and (3) ministering to their brokenness with the gra..

By micoots
02/02/2017 0

Defending Ruth Tucker

From Arise, used with permissionBy Maureen Farrell GarciaOn January 25, 2017If you haven’t yet read Ruth Tucker’s book, Black and White Bible, Black and Blue Wife, you should. Full disclosure: I have been reading her work for a few decades. It challenged me to reconsider what it meant to be created in God’s image as a female.
While I do not agree with all that Tucker writes in her newest book, her methodology and her argument are important to consider. Further, her personal story is invaluable i..

By micoots
02/02/2017 0

Following and Family – Matthew 4:21-22

Key PassageJesus continued walking by Lake Galilee. He saw two other brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee. They were preparing their nets to catch fish. Jesus told the brothers to come with him. So the brothers left the boat and their father, and they followed Jesus.
— Matthew 4:21-22 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key ThoughtMost of the time, when a person comes to Christ, that person is more loved and more greatly appreciated by his or her family. ..

By micoots
01/02/2017 0

Humbling Hezekiahs

Leaders should reflect that for all their preaching, pastoring, discipling, decisions and actions there is a ‘law of unintended consequences’ to be considered. Hezekiah no doubt was relieved, in some sense, that while in the end future generations would be exiled, in his life time there would be security and peace. Doubtless it was a blessing that God would delay judgment while he was still alive. Personally it was happy that God would spare the godly king sorrow upon sorrow. In one sense, of co..

By micoots
01/02/2017 0

The Kingdom Calls – Matthew 4:17-20

Key PassageFrom that time Jesus began to tell people what God wanted. This is what he said: “Change your hearts and lives, because the kingdom of heaven is coming soon.” Jesus was walking by Lake Galilee. He saw two brothers, Simon (called Peter) and Simon's brother Andrew. The two brothers were fishermen and they were fishing in the lake with a net. Jesus said, “Come follow me. I will make you a different kind of fishermen. You will work to gather people, not fish.” Simon and Andrew left t..

By micoots
31/01/2017 0

Why You Shouldn’t See The Shack – but Why so Many Will

Mainline, Western Christianity has long had a problematic understanding of the doctrine of the Trinity. This has played out in various ways, whether it is through the various cults like Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witnesses, or simply due to biblical illiteracy and a painful lack of historical teaching on this doctrine. However, it must be stated: this is certainly not due to a lack of proper teaching on the matter, even when books/movies like The Shack are available. We live in an age where there i..

By micoots
31/01/2017 0

Science is Incidental (RJS)

Chapter 5 of Denis Lamoureux’s new book Evolution: Scripture and Nature Say Yes looks at the way that “science” is presented in Scripture. Science is a modern concept, but Scripture certainly speaks about the nature of the cosmos and uses language that assumes a view of astronomy, geography, and biology. But the Bible is not a science book. It doesn’t teach new science, rather it reflects the typical views concerning astronomy, geography, and biology commonly held in the ancient Near East. These..

By micoots
31/01/2017 0

When They Walk Away

“This man had approached Jesus asking how he might obtain eternal life. When Jesus pressed the demands of God’s Law on this man, in order to show him his sinfulness and need for redemption, the man went away sorrowful because he was unwilling to part with his possessions. Jesus didn’t run after him.”

I recently had a friend tell me how distraught she was over the fact that someone she had been discipling wanted to be left alone. My friend was expressing the pain that she felt over this experien..