There is a saying which I’ve seen variously attributed to African, Amerind and Asian wise men, which goes “I don’t know if it happened this way, but I know this story is true”. A little while ago, I blogged on the back of a short story by Ursula le Guin called “The Ones Who Walk…
A brief discussion of ANTONY FLEW, JOHN HICK AND FREEDOM1 John Hick summarized the traditional freewill defense as an argument with three phases. First, God’s omnipotence is defined as excluding the capacity to perform what is logically absurd. Secondly, to claim that man is free to assert that he can choose between right and wrong….
Recently, as our congregation’s sexton was changing the sermon title on the congregation’s marquee, a woman drove up and asked him, “Are you the new age church?” He responded, “We’re part of the United Church of Christ and our pastor is a biblical preacher.” She continued, “But, how can you be Christian? You’re celebrating earth…
History is a subject we all take in school. Sometimes it’s taught well. Sometimes it’s not. Either way, the study of history is often viewed as irrelevant to daily life. History is about the past, and while we’re told at times that if we fail to learn the lessons of the past, we’re fated to…
Allan Bevere posted a link to three posts by Roger Olson, in which Roger successively defined Fundamentalist, Evangelical, and Liberal. Now Energion author, United Church of Christ pastor, and theologian, Dr. Bruce G. Epperly, responds to Roger Olson’s definition of Liberal. A growing number of liberal Christians are rethinking what it means to be liberal. Many…
Chapter 12 YERUSHALAYIM, The cradle of miracles Onofrio and Samuel would never find two better mentors than Serou and Tremiyo. Serou, grand gallant Serou even won the attention and admiration of his lovely wife of almost twenty years. Glistening eyes admired the eloquence of his speech, demeanor and gesturing habits. He was the only man…
The term self deception is sometimes used in a very loose way. It is easy to put ‘self’ in front of ‘deception’ when the self has been passive in accepting a falsehood. When someone believes something false, and we consider that false belief unreasonable we may say, but say wrongly, that the person is self…
The Messiah had been to earth on his mission. Men chose to ignore the signs and tormented, mutilated and crucified their own savior. They cast aside that the name Jesus in their own language meant “save” and he that saves is therefore a savior. They chose to forget that the angel Gabriel commanded his mother,…
If the history of Christianity teaches us anything, with all the divisions, doctrinal disputes, conflicts and even a few wars, it is that a correct understanding of God’s Word is not easily achieved. Of course, one could just take the position, as some Christians do, that it really is easy for them to read and…
Chapter 10 Across the entire eastern sky a hazy line of golden light pushed the purple shroud of night gently away. A few dim stars twinkled here and there flirting with the brightening clouds. It was Onofrio’s favorite time. A time he cherished with his prominent God, Nature the god of all living things. No…
If all is of God, we must insist upon the fact that faith is the instrumental reality. We must insist upon it so strongly that we modify the slogan, ‘justification by faith’, so as to correct a misinterpretation which would shift the centre of Christianity away from its source in Jesus Christ.
Rediscovering the Power of the Lord’s Prayer Prayer as Advent – God with Us While the Lord’s Prayer is ancient and familiar, three titles from Energion Publications invite readers to encounter it with fresh eyes. Whether you are looking for a radical spiritual wake-up call, a study on Christian character, or a guide connecting prayer…
We can ship these immediately for your Christmas gift list! Theology Devotional Ministry Christian Living
If you need a gift for a scholar in your life, we have a great option for you: Why Four Gospels by David Alan Black. While many of our catalog items are print-on-demand, we have copies available in stock at our office that can be shipped within 24 hours in order to reach you before…