Reflections on the interplay of the Bible and Culture
Moses said to the Israelites: “You shall not be in dread of them, for the Lord your God is in your midst, a great and awesome God.” (Deuteronomy 7:21, ESV) Yet being in dread of the Canaanites is exactly what the Israelites had experienced. They allowed their fear to overwhelm their faith. They had ample … Read more
Statistics show that when given an opportunity to walk on water, 91.7% are too timid to try. Peter was the only one bold or impetuous enough to jump out. The other eleven stayed in the boat and watched from over the rail. One of the things that prevents me from jumping out of the boat … Read more
The Bible presents life as it really is. Scripture stories are about people who do the same stupid things that I find myself doing. I am encouraged by this. In Exodus 17 we have the Nation of Israel in the desert and in need of water. This is a real need, especially in an arid … Read more
I see in humans (principally in myself), an amazing ability to find good reasons to do the wrong thing. We (perhaps I am alone in this, but I think not) can muster arguments to do what we want even if it is not what we know is right.
Deuteronomy 14:1b-2 You shall not cut yourselves or make any baldness on your foreheads for the dead. For you are a people holy to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. … Read more
Isaiah 26:3 (ESV) 3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Romans 8:6 (ESV) 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Philippians 4:6–7 (ESV) 6 do not be anxious … Read more