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In spite of the traditional claims of the Catholic Church, Mary was not a perpetual virgin. Matthew’s gospel merely stating that Joseph and Mary refrained from sex, “…until she gave birth to (Jesus).” Matthew 1:25 Luke significantly describing Jesus as their, “…firstborn son.” Luke 2:7 Matthew and Mark listing Jesus’ brothers by name; James, Joses, Simon and Jude. Both gospels likewise mentioning unnamed “sisters” as well.

Outside of the one somewhat “rebellious” incident in the temple…  ( Click for more )

Is it possible to receive God’s grace in vain? Can God’s grace or our salvation be rendered useless? I don’t know that salvation accepted through God’s grace can be absolutely lost, although Heb. 6:4-6,2 Peter 2:20,21 & 2 Peter 3:17 seem to allude to such a possibility. But we are cautioned that, “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment…” in Hebrews 10:26,27

Maybe the key to this scriptural…  ( Click for more )

In attempting to understand God’s way of interacting in our lives, we must first accept a basic truth concerning who/what God is. It’s not us, He being something “other” than us to a degree we can’t fully comprehend – at least not this side of heaven. Because of that, He doesn’t always intervene or help us in the way we prefer because he doesn’t “see” things the same way we do. Yet we can still take comfort when He encourages us with, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your…  ( Click for more )

At his ascension into heaven, Jesus assured his disciples that he would continue to be with them – at least in spirit – always (Matthew 28:20); and Paul taught that Jesus works for our good in all things regardless how they appear at the moment. (Romans 8:28 One alternative rendering of, “…in all things God works for the good of those who love him,…” being “God works together with those who love him to bring about good.”) In fact, Paul had experienced the sustaining power of God to such a degree that he claimed to have found…  ( Click for more )

Brian Jones is a successful Christian Church Minister who for years struggled with the idea of Hell. In fact, due to his aversion to coming across as holier-than-thou and reluctance to scare people into heaven – along with a heavy dose of liberal teaching in seminary – he stopped believing in and preaching the reality of Heaven’s counterpart. The really disturbing aspect of Mr. Jones’ dilemma is that it has become so common among certain segments of society today. The cure? As with so many other issues – scripture. Which is what finally convinced…  ( Click for more )

Messianic expectation was running high at the time of Jesus’ birth, scripture recording the enthusiasm John the Baptist’s ministry inspired in anticipation of the Anointed One’s unveiling. (Luke 3:15) It is remarkable then that so few people in Israel actually recognized their Messiah when he finally did appear, their eyes blinded by their own expectations of who he would be and how he should behave.

The problem was they were looking for an eloquent politician and mighty military leader, not a carpenter from a peasant family. They anticipated…  ( Click for more )

Rahab is characterized in scripture as a harlot in Joshua 2:1, a graphic representation of the pagan society she lived in; someone we might be tempted to write off as hopelessly lost. Her culture was on the brink of destruction, their descent into the abyss of moral and spiritual corruption bringing God’s judgment on them as a people. (Deuteronomy 20:17) So what made the difference for Rahab? What happened to earn her a place in the Hall of Faith recorded in Hebrews 11:31 and her incorporation into Hebrew society so thoroughly that she became an ancestor to not…  ( Click for more )

There has probably never been a more influential disciple of Christ than Paul, his legacy almost immeasurable. He established countless churches; raised up, trained and commissioned countless more church planters; is responsible for thirteen “letters” of the New Testament, thereby conceptualizing many ideals of the Christian faith. As such, he almost single-handedly set the church on its path to greatness throughout the world of the Mediterranean and beyond.

Having said all that, I think there is value in examining a time period many neglect that was…  ( Click for more )

The story of Ruth is essentially a love story with all the necessary story-line twists to make it compelling. Having been widowed and living in a pagan land, she was reduced to absolute poverty from which she had no way of rescuing herself. From this place of utter desolation, she had only one place to look, which is true of us all so much of the time – and that was to God and his people.

During a time of political anarchy and faithlessness to God, Israel was afflicted with a famine. Elimelech and Naomi, along with their sons Mahlon and Chilion, migrated…  ( Click for more )

It is fitting that Hannah’s name means grace, as she personified that Godly attribute as a mother to her son, Samuel; even though her younger years closely paralleled Sarah’s, being childless and distraught because of it. As a result of her amazing faith and perseverance, however, she too was blessed with a son who became a towering figure in Israel’s history as both priest and judge.

Hannah and her husband Elkanah lived rather nondescript lives in an obscure village, their one claim to fame being the priestly tribe they were descended from.…  ( Click for more )

The Sermon on the Mount summarizes the ethical aspect of Jesus’ teaching, characterizing citizens of His kingdom; actually going beyond the legal expectations of the Law to its ultimate intent. Similar to the Ten Commandments, it is both God-directed and people oriented, calling for its adherents to be actively involved in others’ lives through genuine expressions of love in obedience to God’s will; serving as a standard of living for Christians everywhere.

To start with, the Beatitudes – or Blessings – go a long way in confirming…  ( Click for more )

Mary, Jesus’ mother, is one of the most universally admired women in the world, believed by Christians to have been blessed by God as the instrument through which He would bring the Messiah to earth. But as is so often the case, there were many trials and much suffering associated with this blessing; as from those who have received much, much is expected. (Luke 12:48) And yet a word of caution is needed in that some look upon Mary’s blessedness to the extent of deifying her; whereas scripturally, Mary is never portrayed as a source of grace or blessing but as…  ( Click for more )

Eve and Sarah are seldom mentioned without their counter-parts – Adam and Abraham. But the lives of these exceptional women are worth examining individually as their faith and personal character was not developed so much as a result of their partnership with their mates but in relationship with their God and the circumstances He brought them through.

Eve’s name probably means “Living,” as she was the mother of all living beings. (Genesis 3:20) She represents the pure and pristine ideal of womanhood, undoubtedly a creature of unsurpassed…  ( Click for more )

So says Philip Yancey1 in describing man’s penchant for denying God and any accountability to him, while filling the void thus created with alternatives that become lesser “gods;” often exerting as much influence – however negative – as God would. At times, there may be no conscious intent to exchange God’s influence on our daily activities with something else, occasionally the things that get in the way of our exclusive allegiance to him are good in and of themselves; they just don’t belong in competition with God.

We must…  ( Click for more )

Mr. Santayana’s oft-quoted caution cited above can be applied in a couple of different ways, failure to remember past mistakes often being disastrous – failure to remember what’s been done well, equally problematic. A hot-button issue that is both memorable and problematic today being religion and science, which are often portrayed as diametrically opposed to each other. While in reality, the church has consistently viewed the universe as the natural revelation of God (Psalm 19:1,2), and scientific study as the examination of that revelation.

…  ( Click for more )

Early Hebrew rabbi’s had a saying mirrored in an assurance by Christ of his presence among his worshippers in Matthew 18:20. The rabbinic teaching likewise affirming God’s presence whenever students of his word came together to study, saying “When two sit together and exchange words of Torah, then the Divine Presence dwells among them.”

Many Jews read their ancient scripture – our Old Testament – as if it were a rendering of their family history, considering themselves as much a part of what is related there as were their ancestors…  ( Click for more )

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money,

come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.

Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?

Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live.” Isaiah 55:1-3

We know instinctively that to live, we must eat. In fact, hunger is one of the first sensations we experience almost…  ( Click for more )

“Man does not live by bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 14:4

The desire for physical health and well-being is not new to our society, the ideal man and woman having been imagined by nutritionists, doctors, beauticians and dieticians for years. And while we have our share of over-weight and looks-challenged people in this country, we at the same time have more than our share of remedies. For instance, the male and female models held up as the ideal for the rest of us is unrealistic, the men having to work at their…  ( Click for more )

William Wilberforce was a remarkable man, considered by many to be one of the greatest social reformers in history. He was elected to the English Parliament at the young age of 21, found what he called real Christianity, in part, through an association with John Newton and went on to dedicate himself to seeing slavery abolished throughout England. He was ultimately successful, serving his nation for nearly 45 years, retiring in February of 1825 due to poor health; learning three days before he died that Parliament was finally ready to pass legislation securing the emancipation…  ( Click for more )

With fires in California and tornadoes in the Midwest, drought across the southeast and horrific flooding in Texas and Oklahoma – one is tempted to ask, ‘Is anyone in control?’ And as cries for help ring out, national and state governments, private aid agencies and individuals struggle to meet the needs of countless numbers of people; Christians in particular needing to step to the fore-front of efforts to alleviate those needs.

Some such tragedies (along with others, like illness, disease and conflicts between individuals and nations) happen with…  ( Click for more )

In any attempt at remembering past accomplishments, care must be taken to avoid boastfulness. Recognition of our roots and acknowledging past achievements can however go a long way in identifying who we are or need to become. Crucial to this process is education, which was significantly impacted by Christianity; universal education following close on its heels whereas prior to the churches influence, education was primarily reserved for the privileged few.

Often called “People of the Book,” Christians naturally found it necessary to be able to read.…  ( Click for more )

Many peoples have revered their elders and ancestors, feeling a keen connection with the men and women of their past. At times, this respect was expressed in extremes such as over-sensitivity to perceived insults and the virtual worship of their predecessors. Sadly, a proper identification with, alongside a balanced reverence for the accomplishments of our ancestors is largely missing today, even among Christians, putting us in danger of losing all respect for our heritage and having no real sense of what our legacy should be.

Many people have made transforming…  ( Click for more )

So goes the refrain from a hit song some time ago by Big and Rich, describing the plight of their song’s character; apparently relying on God’s mercy and grace while struggling with the realities and temptations of life.

When I first heard it, I really felt I could identify with its message. But as I listened more closely, I began to feel somewhat uncomfortable with its content; any number of secular and inspirational songs strongly emphasizing the grace and mercy of God, which is great and certainly a primary focus of scripture. What’s not so…  ( Click for more )

Jesus seems to have appreciated boldness; one of his favorite disciples – Peter – being more bold than smart at times. Sadly, an activity Jesus accepts and expects boldness from us being one we’re least likely to practice it, in prayer. “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’…  ( Click for more )