Religious

Archive for Religious

Those Are Some Educated Shepherds

Something had always not sat right with me about the gospel accounts of the birth of Jesus. E.g. Luke 2: 1-15: 1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of […]

Faith Is a Work

I am sure I have written on this before, but I came across a great passage that illustrates my view on the issue… One of the standard controversies among Christians is “faith versus works.” Specifically, do you get into heaven by doing certain things (whether that means helping old ladies across the street, or receiving […]

The Lord Treats His Children Appropriately

Today the assistant pastor at my church discussed the first two chapters of Luke. I know I have said this before, but I will say it again, because it just jumps out at me when I read these passages, yet I’ve never heard anyone else mention it. But first let’s read a good chunk of […]

Storm Is Coming

I am surely not the first person to read the Old Testament and see parallels to how his own country is going down the tubes, and in fact is about to reap what it has sown. In the midst of my pessimism, I was very glad to come upon chapter 51 in Isaiah: 1 “Listen […]

Liberty: Accident or Divine Gift?

I’ve just gotten back to Nashville, and have about 12 hours before I need to get on the road for my upcoming talk at MTSU. (Not sure if there is a link for it, but the event is Monday at 6:30pm and is in the State Farm Room, in the BAS [Business and Aerospace] building. […]

How Paternalistic Should a Parent Be?

In church today the pastor–who is a super right-winger–derided the San Francisco ban on Happy Meals. Although I can’t recall him ever discussing it, somehow I don’t think my pastor objects to those same wacky Californians banning people from consuming marijuana. Assuming I’m right, then, my pastor actually doesn’t have a problem with the principle […]

Be Who You Must, That’s a Part of the Plan

(That’s a reference to a Dan Fogelberg song.) Well I’ve had an interesting day. It ties in with last week’s post, where I acknowledged that you really have no control over your life. All you can do is respond to events in the character of the person you want to be. My brother (who lives […]

How Is God Like Obi Wan Kenobi?

Notwithstanding my flippant title, this is a serious post. I am directing it at people who already believe in a personal God; if you think that stuff is all poppycock, then you’re not going to get much out of this. Lately I have had some major events in my life. I am not at liberty […]