There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 1 John 4:18 NASB Perfect love – “Perfect” is a terrifying word. It’s not so ominous when it comes to things like true and false exams or Lego constructions, but try…
Remembering Freedom Won
Then the Lord said, “Because this people draw near with their words and honor Me with their lip service, but they remove their hearts far from Me, and their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote, Isaiah 29:13 NASB Tradition – When you read this verse, what do you think it means? Yes, we see God’s…
I had an insightful conversation with my son Michael on ZOOM. During the conversation we talked about the unrest in the USA and the violence perpetrated on citizens. It reminded me of the prophet Habakkuk’s cry. So I offer you something I wrote some years ago for your consideration. Note especially the citation from Rollo…
Then you are to say to them, ‘It is because your forefathers have forsaken Me,’ declares the Lord, ‘and have followed other gods and served them and bowed down to them; but Me they have forsaken and have not kept My law. Jeremiah 16:11 NASB Law – There are two unbridgeable chasms between Christianity and Judaism. The first,…
Are you sure you want to go inside? Palazzo Sanvitale, Parma
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB Grace/works – I used to think I knew what Paul was writing about. Decades ago, I had the right theological perspective on Paul. He was…
Just a brief look at the basilica in Loreto, Italy
And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed. Genesis 2:25 NASB Not ashamed – When you read this verse, what mental picture comes to mind? Something like this: (Rubens and Brueghel)?[1] We grew up with the 17th century version of Eden, complete with Nordic men and women. Naked, of course,…
The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:31 NASB As yourself – Does the psychology of the Bible require self-love before sacrificial love? When both the Tanakh and the apostolic writings speak about loving your neighbor, the underlying condition seems to be…
