… and, (if you haven’t read part I, jump to it now) real relationships require dials across time. This same principle applies to emotional responses. Maybe you are the “worst case scenario” type – you jump all the way to the extremely unlikely but possible options? Avoid the switch and seek to examine for more…Continue reading Switches or Dials – Part 2
Switches or Dials – Part 1
Switches or Dials In the psychological world, there is an area of diagnosis called “personality disorders.” These include Narcissism, Borderline, Avoidant, Dependent, Paranoid, etc. There are 10 of three types (clusters). The American Psychiatric Association describes Personality disorders as “ways of thinking, feeling and behaving that deviates from the expectations of the culture, causes distress…Continue reading Switches or Dials – Part 1
Women’ Roles in Ministry – Part IV
Conclusion Perhaps a healthy thought would be to consider that like Priscilla in Acts 18:26, that the church’s best interest is served when men and women serve and even guide and lead together. Certainly, even if a team of men or a man lead a church, their wives and the women in other roles of…Continue reading Women’ Roles in Ministry – Part IV
Women’s Roles in Ministry – Part III
So that works as a transition to women in an elder role: The church I am in right now doesn’t have anyone with the title “elder” – but we have a leadership board and we ask the church to select them based on the traits listed in I Timothy 3. This is the decision making…Continue reading Women’s Roles in Ministry – Part III
Women’s Roles in Ministry – Part II
We can start with women as deacons: The main passage that people reference in saying that women should not be in the role of deacon are found in the letters to his younger protégé’s Timothy and Titus in the criteria listed . For example: I Timothy 3:12 “Let deacons each be the husband of one…Continue reading Women’s Roles in Ministry – Part II
Women’s Roles in Ministry – Part I
Women in Ministry Right now, I am the Lead Pastor at a church that allows and encourages women in roles that some other churches do not. Women can serve as deacons, as teachers in a co-ed Life Group, members of the Leadership Board (the main decision making board of the church), can be licensed as…Continue reading Women’s Roles in Ministry – Part I
Christian Self Defense or Pacifism Conversation Part VIII
So, Actual Final Words Again, in this case, I am not arguing against pacifism at the “personal conviction” level. Of course, any human might determine that it is wrong for them to engage in almost kind of activity; examples might include sex, gambling, drinking alcohol, smoking, reading certain books, etc – that may be completely…Continue reading Christian Self Defense or Pacifism Conversation Part VIII
Christian Self Defense or Pacifism Conversation Part VII
Working Towards Final Words Matt 5:39-42 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces…Continue reading Christian Self Defense or Pacifism Conversation Part VII
Christian Self Defense or Pacifism Conversation Part VI
Continuing to engage in the common arguments for Christian Pacifism Swords (John 18:10-11) 10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup…Continue reading Christian Self Defense or Pacifism Conversation Part VI
Christian Self Defense or Pacifism Conversation Part V
Continuing to Engage with the Biblical Arguments for Pacifism Don’t fear death This argument, based on Matt 10:28 (“do not fear those who kill the body…”), says that Christians should not defend themselves because of what Jesus teaches here about us not “fearing death.” Here in the midst of Jesus’ instructions to His Apostles before…Continue reading Christian Self Defense or Pacifism Conversation Part V
Christian Self Defense or Pacifism Conversation Part IV
The Arguments So, we examine the passages used to defend Christian Pacifism. So, let me make clear, I am not at all saying that killing is always right (even in times of war, execution or self defense), but am just making the case that it CAN be right. I am not going to try to…Continue reading Christian Self Defense or Pacifism Conversation Part IV
Christian Self Defense or Pacifism Conversation Part III
The Description of Government Further, the Christian pacifist needs to explain why it is apparently morally responsible for governments to engage in the violence of being “an avenger who bring wrath on the one who practices evil” (Romans 13:4) in God’s eyes and that Christians are to subject themselves to that government – that to…Continue reading Christian Self Defense or Pacifism Conversation Part III
Christian Self Defense or Pacifism Conversation Part II
Character of God I agree and yearn for the day when apparently predator/prey relationships of all kind are abolished. I cannot wait for a day when the will of those I live for eternity with have no desire to sin, even if they are free to. That day is coming. There is coming an existence…Continue reading Christian Self Defense or Pacifism Conversation Part II
Christian Self Defense or Pacifism Conversation Part I
Nehemiah 4:9 “And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.” In debate, there is a focal point of debates called “burden.” I am starting this conversation with what I see to be the burden of the Christian pacifist. I will warn you, this part isn’t short. …Continue reading Christian Self Defense or Pacifism Conversation Part I
The Truth About Apologizing – Part II
I know, some of you are about to click that little X in the corner and run from this article, but hang in for a few minutes for while I explain what an apology is, but first what it isn’t: It isn’t an admission of being wrong. When I ask people why they didn’t apologize…Continue reading The Truth About Apologizing – Part II
The Truth about Apologizing – Part I
Now for an article about one of the most magical things God gave humans for maintaining healthy relationships. This is a powerful secret weapon and those of us that understand it have a much easier life. Let me show how magical – with a true story about myself before I understood this magic. Imagine having…Continue reading The Truth about Apologizing – Part I
Noah and Gilgamesh
Guest Post by Mark Legg This is a great addition to the series about Christ and ancient myths. What about how the ancient account of Gilgamesh overlaps with the account of Noah? Though there are many accounts of a flood that extended back many thousands of years ago, the epic of Gilgamesh is remarkably like…Continue reading Noah and Gilgamesh
The History (and much more) of Mithras
I have been trying to do some research on some of the ancient religions that either share a similar era to early Christianity (like gnosticism and Mithras Mystery Cult) or others that people have caused to be linked to early Christianity (like Krishna). In this series of articles, I am responding to the claim that…Continue reading The History (and much more) of Mithras
Walkthrough of the book of Mark
In this series of articles, I am responding to the claim that the story of Jesus is merely a recapitulation from a different ancient myth. All that I am doing in these is giving a report on the traits and narrative of these myths with very little comment. I leave it to the reader to…Continue reading Walkthrough of the book of Mark
Walk Through of The Odyssey
In this series of articles, I am responding to the claim that the story of Jesus is merely a recapitulation from a different ancient myth. All that I am doing in these is giving a report on the traits and narrative of these myths with very little comment. I leave it to the reader to…Continue reading Walk Through of The Odyssey