by Erin Owens It is astonishing how a few minutes can change so much. Within seconds, life can be brought into this world or taken
Living from His Wounds
The Cross and the Resurrection pose the greatest possibilities for participation and exchange in human history. Christ’s death on Calvary means we no longer have
Just Ask!
Visiting a member of our church in the hospital some years ago, I invited the family to form a circle around the bed so I could offer a pastoral prayer. Surgery was scheduled for the next day, and the outcome was in doubt. After prayer, a member of the family piously said, “Thanks, Pastor Stan. One thing we can be sure of is that whatever happens tomorrow, we know it is the will of God.” We shook hands and said goodbye.
As I walked to the parking lot, the words kept echoing in my mind: “Whatever happens is the will of God. Whatever happens is the will of God. Whatever happens is the will of God.” By the time I reached my car, I was in turmoil. Whatever happens is God’s will? What kind of theology is that? I was tempted to walk back to the hospital room and say, “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize that you folks were Muslims!”
Islam teaches that all that happens is Allah’s decree and, therefore, the essence of piety is to submit to his predetermined plan. The Gospel of Jesus Christ, however, introduces a radically new concept. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is not Fate. Though God is certainly sovereign over everything that happens and though he knows the end from the beginning, he is not the author of evil. Creating humans with the gift of free will, God has injected into human life a variable that leaves the future, at least to some degree, in our hands!
Loving and Believing
The Chemistry of Christmas by Dr. Joe Dongell As a junior in high school I became so fascinated with chemistry that I began my college
The Old Testament Roots of Sexual Ethics
Going to the source of Christian views of sexual morals by Dr. John Oswalt How shall a Christian form his or her sexual ethic? This
Bearing God’s Burdens for Others
Participating with God through intercession by Dr. Dennis F. Kinlaw Paul, the older pastor, is writing to Timothy, the younger, in a sort of father-son
The Family: Sacred Pedagogy
An Examination of the Family with the Holy Trinity in View by Dr. Dennis F. Kinlaw One of the wonderful things about our Father’s world
Homosexuality Calmly Considered
A Theological Look at a Controversial Topic by Dr. Dennis Kinlaw Recently, a doctor friend of mine told me of a conversation with a colleague
The Heavens Are Telling the Glory of the Triune God
By Rudy Medlock with his daughter Paige Medlock If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach,
God With Us
by Rachel Coleman “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son,