Books Piled on the Desk and Table

Books Piled on the Desk and Table "Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body " (Qoheleth 12.12b)Never has Qoheleth's words been so true as in the last six months. In that period of time I have moved my family two thousand miles, hosted in-laws, had a daughter in the hospital, begin a new ministry," had books scattered to the four winds, had an office remodeled and began to build a new house (not finished yet!) ... all...

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Text & Context 4: Jesus, the Festivals & Claims of the Messiah

Text & Context #4: Jesus and the Festivals Jesus was and is many things. Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the hope of Israel. Jesus is the New Adam, the one in whom humanity is made right. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who protects his sheep. Jesus is Immanuel the living tabernacle of God among his people. But Jesus is also the true worshiper. Jesus’ life was one of worship. He spent entire evenings in prayer with his Abba. We see in the...

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Do Roots Matter?

Do Roots Matter? This Life, therefore, is not righteousnessbut growth in righteousness, not healthbut healing, not being but becoming, notrest but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be but weare growing toward it, the process is notyet finished but it is going on, this isnot the end but it is the road. All does not yet gleam in glorybut all is being purified. --- Martin Luther Why Study Our...

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A Weekend Laugh

A Laugh for the Week...

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The Blessing: Numbers 6.22-27

The Blessing, Numbers 6.22-27: A Page from My Journal ... January 12, 1997I offer this meditation from my private journal written nearly ten years ago. As I recall it was inspired by a moment of delight in being a dad. The text of my meditation was the Priestly blessing in Numbers. I have never done this before ... but here it is ...Our postmodern world is searching for a blessing! It is a world searching for meaning. People today wonder if there is a God. And if there is a God, does he care for me? Does he bless me? Is he concerned with me?A...

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Voices from 1968: A Leaf from the Pages of a "Subversive" Journal

In the little spare time I have I have been reading through the works of Carl Ketcherside (which were recently given to me as a gift of grace). I am currently in volume 9 and hope to finish the set in the near future. There are pages that I find myself in disagreement. There are pages that I eagerly say "Amen" too. All is very good reading no matter where he comes down. Yesterday I read a short article by David Reagan in the October 1968 issue...

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Text & Context 3: Word Study Principles

Text & Context #3: Word Study Principles Word studies are an important part of the study of the biblical text. There importance can be over emphasized however. From time to time we encounter an "exegesis" that is basically nothing but word studies (or the author claims they are). But as valuable as a word study can be they can also be easily distorted and abused.  The abuse of word studies has actually come under some rather intense...

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Reaction to Kingdom Come: Gardner Hall

Reaction to Kingdom Come by Gardner Hall.Last week I became aware of a review of my book, Kingdom Come, by Gardner Hall. I have never met Gardner before. Gardner published his review in a journal called Biblical Insights and has placed it also on his website. I read his reaction and then asked him if I could place it on my own website. I was thrilled by his review because he took the book seriously, he has wrestled with it and gave both positive and negative. I think Gardner is mistaken in some of his interpretations (regardless of my point...

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Coming Together in 1827: The Unknown Union

Coming Together in 1827: The Unknown UnionMost of us have probably at one time or another heard of the great union meeting between the Christians of Barton Stone and the Reformers of Alexander Campbell in Lexington, Ky from Christmas 1831 to New Years 1832. Most do not know the extreme difficulty of that miracle of the Spirit and that will be the story of another post.However, there was an earlier union that has not received quite the press of 1831-2. But it was no less significant. It was the union of German Baptists who were sometimes known...

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Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary: Baby Doll ... We were hitched on March 7, 1992, but I am telling you about it today because we have a date! That turns into 15 years of marital bliss. It hardly seems like it has been that long. In those years I have dragged her from Florida to Alabama to New Orleans to Mississippi to Milwaukee and to the desert.Pamella is God's gift to me. She keeps me on track. She encourages me. She is the fantastic mother of my two daughters....

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Genes in our DNA: Unity & Diversity Can Co-Exist

The following quotations testify to a gene that flows in our veins as heirs of the Stone-Campbell Movement. It is at times a recessive gene for sure but it is there nonetheless. The quotations speak for themselves so I will let them stand. This point of view is what started the "reformation" of the 19th century. It is always healthy to revisit our roots from time to time. "I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through...

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Yes I am a Nerd

Yes! I am a Nerd!I think this is hilarious. Yes, I like the Far Side too.I had a conversation today with a elder. He confessed to me today that I am a nerd. That made me think of Weird Al's great so...

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