Well, we know that Esther was pretty, anyway (Esther 2:7). Ruth may have been as physically attractive as she was noble of character (Ruth 2:11 and 3:11). She’s described as a Moabitess several times in the text, and Israelite men throughout the Old Testament seemed to find the women of Moab attractive, even when forbidden … Continue reading A Tale of Two Pretties
What is “fellowship”? Meeting together to worship? To be friends? To learn and work together? To teach and enrich each other? To dine? To share the Lord’s Supper? A list of names on a church roll or roster, whether the people attached to them have been a real, living part of that family or not? … Continue reading Questions of Fellowship
A quick quiz. (For those not acquainted with the scripture-focused culture of my religious heritage – Churches of Christ – “BCV” refers to “book, chapter and verse.”) 1.) Name the verse(s) where Christians are commanded to meet on Sunday, every Sunday. Hebrews 10:25 Ephesians 4:11-12 2.) Name the verse(s) in which followers of Christ in … Continue reading A "BCV" Quiz on What Constitutes Worship
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do … But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting.” “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” … “Love your enemies, do good to … Continue reading Are These Commandments?
The old paths said, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with ‘unclean’ hands?” Jesus said, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship … Continue reading Did Jesus Seek the Old Paths?
Some time back when I blogged about being “written up” in a neighboring church’s bulletin (it was just a mention, mind you), I didn’t understand at the time that my critiqued comments violated a standard tenet of belief for some of my ultraconservative brothers and sisters in Christ … Namely, that there are only five … Continue reading Gonna Need More Fingers
Romans 5:12-21 presents an interesting contrast between Adam (through whom sin and death came into the world) and Christ (who conquered sin and death for the world). In a treatise on the resurrection body, Paul elaborates on the metaphor in I Corinthians 15:42-49, calling Christ the “last Adam.” Pondering those thoughts in a Romans class … Continue reading First Man, Last Man
In a humble house, like the one in Bethlehem where the wise men worshiped the newborn King? In the courts of a magnificent temple, where Simeon the priest once took Him in his arms? In a boat, like the one in which the Lord stilled the waves and calmed the wind? By a river, like … Continue reading Where Do You Worship?
One point of view: “Whatever is not mentioned in scripture is forbidden in worship.” Another point of view: “Whatever is not mentioned in scripture is permitted in worship.” Both are absurd. Vendors hawking popcorn in the aisles between pews are not mentioned in scripture. Should they be permitted? Standing while singing in the assembly of … Continue reading Permitted and Forbidden
Some months ago i proposed the positioning line “A Life of Worship” for the newly-conjoined ZOE Group | New Wineskins Web site before the advisory committee, believing that it encapsulated the objective mutually sought by both the online magazine and the inspirational worship ministry. “Worship” and “serve” are two words that occur together frequently in … Continue reading A Life of Worship
Blog In My Own Eye 