Category Archives: Theology

Immanuel, God With Us

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jesus-in-mangerIsaiah prophesied of the coming Messiah, saying that a virgin would conceive and have a child, and his name would be called Immanuel.  When Matthew quotes Isaiah he adds that Immanuel means “God with us.”  That’s the true meaning of Christmas.

I recently wrote that when we could not come to God, he came to us.  In Isaiah chapter nine he writes “His name shall be called Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  If the baby in the manger is anything other than God with us, you’re not understanding the full implication of Christ’s birth. Continue reading →

Almost Getting Christmas

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lego-manger1This is part two of Almost Getting Jesus.  It was just way too long to be a single post. 

Many believe Christmas to be Jesus’ birthday, and his birth is why we celebrate.  Yes; and no.  Mostly no.  The wise men brought gifts, which is why we exchange gifts.  Perhaps; but I don’t think so.  The true meaning of Christmas is about peace on Earth and goodwill toward men, right?  That’s what the angels proclaimed to the shepherds, but that’s not what Christmas really means to Christianity; not really.  What’s wrong with all of these statements you ask?  There’s nothing majorly wrong with them, and they are close to the Gospel. Continue reading →

Almost Getting Jesus

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lego-jesusThere are many people who are big fans of Jesus that fall just a little short of understanding him.  I’ve spoken before of Hippie Jesus, Smiley Jesus, Mr. Rogers type Jesus, but that’s not what I’m talking about here.  There have been a gazillion (pretty sure that’s the actual number) books on the “historical” Jesus.  There’s now lots of those, too.  I’m talking about people that have read or listened to things Jesus said and consider him to be a great guy.  I’m talking about people who know that Jesus loved everybody, talked about peace, refused to stone the woman caught in adultery, fed the 5,000 and raised Lazarus.  Yet at the same time those people ignore his command to “take up the cross” and follow.  They almost get Jesus. Continue reading →

The Abbreviated Jesus

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bargainjesusWhen I started this blog, one of the secret little promises I made myself was that it wouldn’t be an Internet Monk fan site.  Listening to his podcast is one of the reasons I started blogging myself.  If you read this blog, you know that from time to time I link other blogs with posts of interest.  Michael Spencer wrote a piece on the “abbreviated Jesus” this week, here’s a snippet that made me laugh out loud:

“The abbreviated Jesus can convincingly seem like the real Jesus, until you look and listen closely. Then it appears that he’s lost his laptop, his luggage and his cell phone. So for right now, he’s reading it all off the teleprompter.”

Read Do You Trust the Abbreviated Jesus?  at internetmonk for the full story.

PBS Documentary on Martin Luther

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martin-lutherOver the years, PBS has produced a series of programs on the history of empires.  In 2003, they made 2 special episodes on Martin Luther.  (Liam Neeson provides the narration.)  Thanks to Hulu, these are available for your viewing pleasure at any time.

UPDATE: These were available for a very long time but have finally been removed from Hulu’s library. 3/31/14

The PBS website for the the films is still up at this address for the time being. I don’t know about getting the video but there is plenty to read.

 

 

The Invisible Sky Bully

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godThe invisible sky bully; have you ever heard God referred to that way?  Even worse than calling him the “invisible man in the sky” is the notion that God pushes people around because he is bigger than them.  A real bully is often a coward, and throws his weight around or intimidates those smaller than himself with words.  Those promoting the sky bully myth would have you to believe that God orders people to worship him, and sends to hell anyone that doesn’t.  It makes it easier to not believe in a God that could be like that, or helps people to doubt there is such a God.  In a way that’s good, because there isn’t a god like that. Continue reading →

Total Depravity/Gospel Sermon

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This video well illustrates the point that it is our very nature to be evil.  He offers loads of scripture to back his claims.  Don’t give up on it too early; hang in there, it ends with a presentation of the Gospel.  They give you all of the bad news first, but the good news is in there.

Vodpod videos no longer available.  

Old Testament God is the God of the New Testament

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angry_godIn a lot of people’s minds, God is this angry, loud, vengeful monster in the Old Testament of the Bible.  Some non-Christians tell us we have two gods, the Old Testament one with the commandments and judgements, and the New Testament one offering grace and mercy.  The God of the Bible is one; he gives commandments, he judges, but also offers to extend grace and mercy instead.  The dichotomy may be apparent, but isn’t a matter of fact. Continue reading →

Why Should Christians Hear the Gospel?

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jesusWhen Jesus preached his first sermon, it was a simple message of “Repent, and believe the gospel.”  (Mark 1:14-15)  It was obviously an invitation to the lost; Jesus the evangelist inviting souls to get saved.  So the question is, why do Christians need to keep hearing the gospel?  Continue reading →

It’s Hard to Find a Good Eutychus Sermon

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eutychusWhen’s the last time you heard a good sermon on Eutychus?  Okay Bible Trivia fans, do you even know Eutychus?  He’s the guy in Acts chapter 20 that falls from a third story window after falling asleep while Paul is speaking.  Now you know. 

I have heard preachers use this before, but its been a while.  I was a kid.  I don’t remember if that was the sermon text, or just something used to make a point.  I listened to a small-town Baptist preacher make a 25 minute sermon out of it yesterday. Continue reading →