“Semites” are descendants of Noah’s son, Shem[1] (“Shemites”). The term “Semites” is now synonymous with one particular branch of those descendants, the Jews, and “anti-Semitism” refers to hatred and/or persecution of the Jews (generally because of their race or religion). Anti-Semitism has been around for many centuries. Most famously, the Read more…
The book of Ecclesiastes is probably one of the least-read—and perhaps least loved—books of the Bible, yet chapter three of Ecclesiastes is famous, thanks in large part to the rock band The Byrds and their 1965 hit song “Turn! Turn! Turn!” Similar to the lyrics of that song, chapter three begins: Read more…
Are your religious leaders teaching and preaching racism or bigotry? Misogyny? Persecution of people who are “different,” like homosexuals, transsexuals, and others in the LGBTQ+ community? If so, you should know that that’s not Christianity. Are your religious leaders telling you that Christians should seek political power? Wealth? Laws that Read more…
A frequent criticism of Christians is that we are judgmental. This is ironic because both Jesus and Paul told us not to judge others—and particularly those who are not Christians. Jesus said it like this in Matthew 7:1-5, which is part of his famous Sermon on the Mount:[1] Do not Read more…
I recently saw a little brochure—what we used to call a “tract” when I was a baby Christian—that said, “Eternal Life is a Free Gift.” Well, yes. And no. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Read more…
God gave Jonah the prophet a task: “Arise, go to Nineveh, the great city, and cry out against it, because their wickedness has come up before Me.”[1] Jonah was a prophet during the early part of the 8th century, B.C. Nineveh, the capital city of the Assyrian Empire, was located Read more…
Advertisers talk about a product’s “brand,” which refers to features or characteristics that customers associate with a particular product. For example, one paper towel manufacturer wants customers to think of it as “the quicker picker upper.” Car manufacturers may want their car to be identified with being fast or reliable Read more…
Jesus’ story about the “good Samaritan,” in Luke 10:30-37, is so well known that the expression is part of our lexicon, referring to anyone who goes out of their way to do a good deed for someone—especially for a stranger. But I fear that much of the story’s impact has Read more…
I want to tell you two stories about forgiveness. 1. Rachelle Friedman, a bride-to-be, attended her bachelorette party a few days before the wedding. Around midnight she and some of her friends went swimming. A friend playfully pushed her into the pool, but the water was too shallow—she struck her Read more…
Most of the New Testament was originally written in Greek, the language of business, commerce, and government in the eastern Roman Empire. Greek has four words that can be translated as our English word, “love”: eros, storge, phileô, and agape. Eros refers to sexual love—the mutual attraction between the sexes. Read more…