Christian Liberty: Decisions when there is not a moral absolute in the Bible April 25, 2007
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What do you think about issues like drinking alcohol, playing cards, social dancing, or going to church on Sundays vs. another day or the week? For some an occasional drink (so long as it doesn’t lead to drunkenness, Eph 5:18) is morally acceptable, while others think it morally forbidden. Issues like these fall into a category called “Christian liberty.” Christian liberty involves those practices which are not directly covered in the Bible—no biblical absolutes are offered that either command or forbid them. Therefore, a Christian has liberty or freedom in his or her decision of whether or not to engage in the practice. But how should a Christian decide whether or not to engage in or refrain from such practices? The Apostle Paul offers eight questions or tests which each Christian should employ when deciding on an issue of Christian liberty. (more…)
Why is Solomon so depressed in Ecclesiastes? April 19, 2007
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Of the 39 books in the Old Testament, there were three which the Hebrew Rabbis frequently debated their inclusion in the canon or collection of sacred Scriptures (not whether they should be included but why they were included). The three books in question were (1) Esther, since it never directly mentions God; (2) Song of Solomon, for its obvious erotic content, and; (3) Ecclesiastes, due to its depressed and seemingly hopeless outlook on life. But Ecclesiastes has been the most enigmatic.
Ecclesiastes can be a perplexing read due to (1) some seemingly antithetical statements presented together in the same book, and (2) the negative/hopeless side of much of its statements which seem to be opposed to the rest of the Bible. However, I think there is a key for understanding the book. (more…)
School Shootings . . . Why? April 16, 2007
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While this blog originally appeared Oct. 11, 2006, I thought it would be appropriate to post it again and revisit the discussion given the tragedy of recent events at Virginia Tech.
I’m angered that the sort of world we live in is a place where people attack the weak. And I know God is too. But I’m not surprised—or at least, I shouldn’t be. But our secular world is always surprised, and this is most frustrating! Turn on the TV or radio commentators and listen to them discuss in absolute bewilderment how the sort of thing like a school shooting could possibly happen. I say that I’m not surprised by this sort of brutality for several reasons. But the reason that seems most obvious is the one reason that evades our cultural elite. (more…)
What did Jesus say would happen in “this generation?” (Luke 21) April 11, 2007
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There’s one thing that all Christians agree upon—that Jesus will bodily return and restore his creation, not least of all us. However, Christians do differ on their understanding about how all the details of Jesus’ return will fit together.
One passage that is frequently offered as a description of Jesus’ future return is Luke 21. Yet, one obviously problematic statement from Jesus in this portion of Scripture can be seen in his words, “…this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.” While I certainly recognize and look forward to his second coming, I don’t think Luke 21 has anything to do with his return or the end of the world. Rather, the chapter seems to be describing Jesus’ greatest prediction, next to his resurrection—the utter destruction of Herod’s Temple in Jerusalem. (more…)
Easter . . . why we don’t call it a sanctuary anymore. April 7, 2007
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I grew up using the term “sanctuary” to refer to the large room in our church where we met for worship, prayer, and the reading of God’s Word. In fact, from time to time I still catch myself about to call our church’s main auditorium the sanctuary. I say, “catch myself,” because I don’t think it’s appropriate to use such a label for a place anymore. And I say, “anymore,” because I think there was a time that it was appropriate. However, something happened with the event of Jesus’ death and resurrection that forever precludes us from understanding one single place as a sanctuary today. (more…)
Was Jesus forsaken by God while on the cross? April 5, 2007
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Though this post originally appeared last year, I thought it would be appropriate to revisit it since we’re in the passion week leading up to Easter.
What is the meaning of Jesus’ statement spoken on the cross, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mt 27:46; Mk 15:34)? Many suggest that Jesus’ words are desperate cries out of the depths of the deepest depression imaginable, as a result from being separated from the Father. However, I tend to think that something is being missed here. There are four reasons why I would take a different interpretation.
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Christian Bioethics (Rm 211 @ 9:45) 5-wk seminar, APRIL 22-MAY 20 April 1, 2007
Posted by Brent Cunningham in : Old EQUIP , 8 commentsPrint This Post | Email to a Friend
Matt Hickey, Ph.D. & Pastor Brent (contact us @ contactus@timberlinechurch.org)
This class will be taught by Dr. Matt Hickey & Pastor Brent Cunningham.
Matt Hickey has been on the faculty at CSU since 1997. His home department is Health and Exercise Science, and he holds joint appointments in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, and in Department of Biomedical Sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Matt’s Ph.D. is in bioenergetics, and he has post-doctoral training in biochemistry. He has chaired the Human Research Committee, which oversees human research ethics at CSU, for the past 4 years. He has been involved in research ethics review for over 10 years, including service on an ethics committee at a medical school.
This 5-week seminar is designed to: (more…)
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