Why A Biblically Robust Gospel is Essential To The People of God
What is the Gospel? How we answer that question says a lot. For many people the Gospel is that Jesus came to die for my sins so that when I die I can go to be with God in heaven forever. There is a lot of truth in that summation but we have to examine […]
Alexander Campbell Sounds a Lot Like N.T. Wright on the New Heavens, New Earth and Resurrection Body
This quote is from Alexander Campbell’s book “The Christian System” published in 1839, “The Bible begins with the generations of the heavens and the earth; but the Christian revelations ends with the regenerations or new creation of the heavens and the earth. This the ancient promise of God confirmed to us by the Christian Apostles. […]
Finally Read Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright
I finally got around to reading Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection and the Mission of the Church by N.T. Wright on the trip to Bakersfield this weekend. The book could have been called “Surprised by What the Bible Actually Says About Heaven and Resurrection and What That Has to do with the Mission […]
Disney World and Longing for Heaven
As a parent of a two year old and a four year old, I can’t exactly say that everything about the last few days we spent at Disney reminded me of heaven. The heat, aggravated people, and cost of it all might just call to mind another place quite opposite of heaven. But in all […]
The Joy of Kids
Yesterday Jonah told me he wanted to be a pirate. He brought his red cape to me and asked if I would tie it around his head. He then made a makeshift sword and started saying “Arrrrr…” Then Elijah got in on the act. He put on a Santa Claus hat and told me he […]
Verses on Heaven: What We Will and Won’t Do There as Well as What Heaven is Like
What is heaven? Heaven is God’s dwelling place (Deut 26:15) Home of angels (Gen 28:12, Rev 4 & 5) Home of the deceased righteous (2 Kings 2:1, Rev 6:9-11) Ultimately the place of all the redeemed – 1 Thess 5:10, John 14:1-4 What will we do in heaven? Recognize people – Luke 9:30 (recognizing the […]
Heaven: I Have Questions…
I am teaching a class on heaven right now and thought I would share a bit along the way. When I just sit and let my mind think about heaven there are a lot of thoughts that come to mind. Just like with any place I have never been, when I hear mention of it, […]
Lesson on Heaven by A Two Year Old
Jonah is one of the greatest theologians I know. I am talking about my two year old, not the prophet in the Old Testament. This morning I was getting him dressed to attend Bible class and the worship assembly (my attempt to stop calling that hour on Sunday “church”) and he asked if he was […]
Tim Challies’ Review of Rob Bell’s Book “Love Wins”
Thanks to Terry for pointing out Tim Challies recent review of Rob Bell’s new book. I have a lot of respect for Tim Challies but even if I didn’t, he quotes Bell’s book in numerous places in his review and Bell says some very troubling things. Tim is not one to take things out of […]
Storing Up Lasting Treasure – Luke 12:32-34
“32“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34For where your […]