Monthly Archives: February 2020

The tragedy of the even dumber church

Written on February 29, 2020 at 1:51 pm, by

Christian theologian Dr. William Lane Craig during debate at Purdue University, Feb. 1, 2013. | (Photo: Nicole Byrd) It’s true – time really does fly. Eight years ago, I wrote an article… Read More

The Golden Rule & the Silver Rule

Written on February 29, 2020 at 10:26 am, by

Examples of the Silver & Golden Rules in the world’s philosophies and religions: Jainism: “A man should wander about treating all creatures as he himself would be treated.” — Sutrakritanga, 1.11.33… Read More

Mental Health in the Church Setting 2020

Written on February 26, 2020 at 12:58 pm, by

Mental Health in the Church Setting Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. – 2 Thessalonians 1:4 I’ve… Read More

The Emotionally Healthy Leader, by John Teal

Written on February 22, 2020 at 12:55 pm, by

The Emotionally Healthy Leader Last fall, I reluctantly agreed to take a class called Emotionally Healthy Spirituality. It was being offered by a couple in our congregation. As I read… Read More

THE UNSURPRISING PUSH FOR POLYGAMY

Written on February 22, 2020 at 12:51 pm, by

Dear marriage supporter, If two men can marry one another, why not three? Or why not two men and a woman? What’s so special about the number two once it’s… Read More

Polyamory: Pastors’ Next Sexual Frontier

Written on February 22, 2020 at 12:48 pm, by

CT PASTORS Polyamory: Pastors’ Next Sexual Frontier These once-taboo relationships are showing up in churches across the US. Preston Sprinkle and Branson Parler   A pastor recently told me (Preston)… Read More

Why a Contradiction Seems Convincing

Written on February 21, 2020 at 1:28 pm, by

Why a Contradiction Seems Convincing Click Here to Listen It’s easy to believe a lie when you haven’t heard the whole story. But have you ever wondered how people can… Read More

“Is There a God?” Debate: Jacoby vs. Shermer

Written on February 20, 2020 at 4:27 pm, by

“What is the True Legacy of Abraham?” – Debate

Written on February 20, 2020 at 4:21 pm, by

Interview with Fred Gray

Written on February 20, 2020 at 4:16 pm, by

Science, Man and God: (Part 3) Michael Shermer vs. Douglas Jacoby

Written on February 20, 2020 at 4:12 pm, by

Science, Man and God: (Part 2) Michael Shermer vs. Douglas Jacoby

Written on February 20, 2020 at 4:00 pm, by

Science, Man and God: (Part 1) Michael Shermer vs. Douglas Jacoby

Written on February 20, 2020 at 3:59 pm, by



Jesus: Man, Myth or Messiah? Part 2 – Jacoby’s Opening Statements

Written on February 20, 2020 at 2:04 pm, by

Jesus: Man, Myth or Messiah? Part 1 – Jacoby’s Opening Statements

Written on February 20, 2020 at 1:59 pm, by

Jesus: Man, Myth or Messiah? – Intro to Debate

Written on February 20, 2020 at 1:53 pm, by

Why Believe in the God of the Bible?

Written on February 20, 2020 at 1:31 pm, by

Father’s Day – Douglas Jacoby

Written on February 20, 2020 at 1:23 pm, by

Watch Doug’s sermon on Exodus 20 – “Honor Your Father”

The Problem of Human Suffering-Session 4

Written on February 19, 2020 at 6:32 pm, by

The Problem of Human Suffering-Session 3

Written on February 19, 2020 at 6:27 pm, by

The Problem of Human Suffering-Session 2

Written on February 19, 2020 at 6:22 pm, by

The Problem of Human Suffering-Session 1

Written on February 19, 2020 at 6:20 pm, by

“A Movement Divided,” by Samuel Escobar

Written on February 19, 2020 at 2:55 pm, by

Three approaches to world evangelization stand in tension with one another. Samuel Escobar (Peru) is President of the Latin American Theological Fraternity and Professor at Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Philadelphia,… Read More

Becoming a Pastor Theologian (thought-provoking quotes)

Written on February 19, 2020 at 12:01 am, by

Thought-provoking excerpts from Todd Wilson and Gerald Hiestand, eds. Becoming a Pastor Theologian: New Possibilities for Church Leadership (Downers Grove IL: InterVarsity Academic, 2016), pp. 2, 19, 41-42, 56, 90,… Read More

Delving into the history of black churches

Written on February 18, 2020 at 6:32 pm, by

Delving into the history of black churches | The Christian Chronicle Edward J. Robinson’s newest book, “Hard-Fighting Soldiers: A History of African American Churches of Christ,” takes its title from… Read More

“Jesus & Melchizedek”

Written on February 17, 2020 at 11:24 am, by

https://vimeo.com/390319144

“Can a Christian be an environmentalist?”

Written on February 15, 2020 at 11:26 pm, by

“Caring for Creation” Click here for the newsletter podcast version – with extra ‘bits’ We have seen what I would call “proper weather” this last week. Flights cancelled, trees felled,… Read More

Which Battery Does Your Marriage Run On?

Written on February 14, 2020 at 12:23 pm, by

   Which Battery Does Your Marriage Run On? Click Here to Listen Items which run on batteries are irritations waiting to happen. Something stops working. You’ve got to find a… Read More

Are You an American Church? (London, 1986)

Written on February 10, 2020 at 6:26 pm, by

The article I wrote back in 1986 about the origins of the Churches of Christ in the U.K. May be of some interest to some readers.  

What is safety?

Written on February 10, 2020 at 11:18 am, by

“How to be safe” Click here for the newsletter podcast version – with extra ‘bits’ It’s easy to become obsessed with safety. And with good reason. The coronavirus seems to… Read More

Paul’s Prison Journey—Malta, Sicily, Italy (29 Oct-8 Nov 2022)

Written on February 10, 2020 at 12:01 am, by

. Participants: 30 (from England, Scotland, Italy, Spain, Canada, and 9 US states) . The apostle Paul was no stranger to prison. As he famously declared, “The Holy Spirit testifies to… Read More

SOM 40—Wow!

Written on February 9, 2020 at 12:01 am, by

And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes (Matthew 7:28-29)…. Read More

The Best Non-Leadership Leadership Story

Written on February 8, 2020 at 11:37 am, by

  The Best Non-Leadership Leadership Story Matthew Dicks is a teacher, author, and award-winning storyteller. In this wonderfully funny TEDx Talk, titled “Speak Less-Expect More,” Matthew shares incredible insights on… Read More

SOM 39—Sand

Written on February 8, 2020 at 12:01 am, by

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came,… Read More

SOM 38—Lord, Lord

Written on February 7, 2020 at 12:01 am, by

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22… Read More

SOM 37—Prophets?

Written on February 6, 2020 at 12:01 am, by

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from… Read More

Discipling Busy People Online (and More)

Written on February 5, 2020 at 1:35 pm, by

Discipleship-First Friends, I am just completing an experiment in disciple making with some current and future leaders in the staff at our church that I wanted to share with you…. Read More

SOM 36—Narrow

Written on February 5, 2020 at 12:01 am, by

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate… Read More

SOM 35—Gold

Written on February 4, 2020 at 12:01 am, by

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12).   Comment This sentence sums up much of… Read More

SOM 34—Ask

Written on February 3, 2020 at 12:01 am, by

7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the… Read More

SOM 33—Swine

Written on February 2, 2020 at 12:01 am, by

“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you” (Matthew 7:6).   This text connects with… Read More

SOM 32—Judge

Written on February 1, 2020 at 12:01 am, by

1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to… Read More