But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I am speaking in human terms.) Romans 3:5 NASB Inflicts wrath – Is it right for God to inflict wrath (Greek – epipheron orgen)? That might sound like a rather silly question,…
Rebekah was listening while Isaac spoke to his son Esau. Genesis 27:5 In the next few weeks I will publish a book on the story of Jacob. This is an excerpt from one of the chapters. Isaac’s life is one of spiritual weakness. In the face of God, Isaac wilts. He is powerless. He doesn’t…
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 NASB What is good – Want to know how to live in this world? The prophet Micah provides YHVH’s answer. Just three…
Ethical Angst in the West On August 6, 1945 the West entered into a new era of politics. On that day “Little Boy” fell on the city of Hiroshima, instantly killing at least 66,000 people and injuring an additional 69,000. These figures represent more than 50% of the total population of the city. Nagasaki followed a…
As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years, Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; For soon it is gone and we fly away. Psalm 90:10 NASB Pride – “For if there is no meaning inherent in the world, on what basis can we determine the value…
In a recent conversation I challenged someone to provide either a theological or historical foundation for the claim that Christians need to be “good” people. The topic arose because my friend remarked that her church taught that being saved and going to heaven was the true goal of Man’s spiritual quest. Once salvation was assured,…
Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I am teaching you to perform, so that you may live and go in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. Deuteronomy 4:1 NASB To perform – “The Torah was not given to angels. …
You shall let the mother go, but the young you may take for yourself, that it may go well with you, and that you may live long. Deuteronomy 22:7 ESV Live long – What is the relationship between sparing the life of a mother bird and how long I live? The Torah tells me that…
In the towns of the latter peoples, however, which the LORD your God is giving you as a heritage, you shall not let a soul remain alive. Deuteronomy 20:16 JPS Remain – “Kill them all. Every man, woman and child. Even the animals.” Does that sound like a compassionate God to you? Commands like this…
and now Israel, what does the LORD require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, . . . Deuteronomy 10:12 ESV Israel – One of the principal differences between…
