Merry Christmas from Kentucky and Zagreb! We're so grateful to be walking through this Advent season with you. This week we light the second Advent candle, the candle of peace. It reminds us of the angels' announcement at Jesus' birth: "Peace on earth, goodwill toward men" (Luke 2:14). The biblical word for peace is the … Continue reading Advent Prayers with The Biblical Institute: Peace (week 2)
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Advent Prayers for the Biblical Institute
This past Sunday marked the beginning of Advent 2025. Some churches celebrated it by lighting the first candle on the Advent wreath, the candle of HOPE, which some call the "prophecy" candle. Advent invites us to prepare for celebrating Christ's coming and to welcome the work He wants to do in and through us, work … Continue reading Advent Prayers for the Biblical Institute
What Does “Loving Our Enemies” Look Like?
What is the Christian’s responsibility toward the people we believe are trying to destroy Christianity, or nullify its influence on our culture? Jesus forthrightly calls these people "enemies". But he redefines how we should respond to enemies. His command is that we show them neither scorn nor withdrawal but that we engage with them. “Love … Continue reading What Does “Loving Our Enemies” Look Like?
Ninth Anniversary
I've been in Zagreb since last Tuesday. In that time, we have hosted a group from America (wonderful brothers and sisters from the Cornerstone Christian Church, from Dallas / Farmers Branch, Texas) and hosted a major event (a two day symposium on the spiritual needs of teen agers.) In all the craziness, an important date … Continue reading Ninth Anniversary
God’s Wrath, Miroslav Volf, and Me
Croatian theologian Miroslav Volf (Yale University) wrote in Free of Charge: I used to think that wrath was unworthy of God. Isn’t God love? Shouldn’t divine love be beyond wrath? God is love, and God loves every person and every creature. That’s exactly why God is wrathful against some of them. My last resistance to … Continue reading God’s Wrath, Miroslav Volf, and Me
Brad East on The Atonement Debate
One of my theological interests is the atonement, particularly how we understand and apply it pastorally. Here Brad East, theology professor at Abilene Christian University, wrestles with current discussions of "penal substitutionary atonement", a very popular view of atonement. From Christianity Today: The Way We Debate Atonement Is a Mess This is an article about … Continue reading Brad East on The Atonement Debate
Bible Study Questions for James 1.13-27
I've been teaching a Men's Bible Study early Thursday mornings on the book of James. Here are the notes and questions that we used for discussing James 1.13-27. James 1.13-15 “Tempt” (v 13) is the same Greek word as “trial” (vv. 2-3). The word has at least two meanings: To test, by putting something/someone under … Continue reading Bible Study Questions for James 1.13-27
Bible Study Questions for James 1.1-12
I've been teaching a Men's Bible Study early Thursday mornings on the book of James. Here are the questions that we used for discussion when we were covering the opening and first paragraph of James 1. James 1.1 Who is James? What do we know about him? To whom is he writing? What problems were … Continue reading Bible Study Questions for James 1.1-12
Assassinations and School Shootings
In light of inflamed passions, I hesitantly offer the following: Political violence and school shootings are essentially the same thing. Am I seeing this correctly? Convince me that I'm wrong. Two days ago, MAGA spokesman and activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at an appearance on a college campus. That same day, a school … Continue reading Assassinations and School Shootings
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