Mention the word "doctrine" among church circles, and you will get a variety of different responses. On one hand, there are those who treat doctrine as if it were a dirty word. To them, doctrine is not "politically correct." The basic idea they uphold is that "It really doesn't matter what you believe, as long … Continue reading Confronting Doctrinal Disputes Biblically →

The act of water baptism (being immersed in water in response to receiving salvation) is a very important first step in the Christian life. In Matthew 3:13-17, we see the Lord Jesus Himself coming to His cousin John to be baptized, in order to "fulfill all righteousness." He then went on to establish baptism as … Continue reading Why Water Baptism? →

This was a paper I wrote for a Political Science class I took back in the early 2000s. While the issues today are different, the underlying issues are very much the same. The inscription on our nation’s beloved Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, gives us a stirring exhortation to "Proclaim Liberty throughout the land, to all … Continue reading The Ten Commandments and Religious Liberty →

There is a well known quote from CS Lewis that says "It is Christ Himself, not the Bible, who is the true word of God." Yes and no. Lewis was right to point out that Jesus is the Logos, the incarnate Word of God. But he was also very wrong to downplay the fact that … Continue reading Jesus and the Scriptures →

Is reincarnation biblical?No, reincarnation cannot be reconciled with the Bible or the Christian faith in any way. Rather, it is a concept which comes from ancient Hindu texts such as the Upishads. At its core is the law of karma, which teaches that we are rewarded or punished in future lives for the good or bad … Continue reading Is Reincarnation Biblical? →

Another school paper, this one from a Western Civ class around 2003 A number of years ago, I had the privilege of touring the historic Rhea County Courthouse in Dayton, Tennessee. Eighty years ago, this stately, yet unpretentious building was the site of the infamous Scopes "Monkey Trial." History came alive as I stepped into … Continue reading The Darwinian Paradox →

A certain well-known minister once shocked his audience by stating that "...millions of people are starving to death, and most of you don't give a ----!" He went on to rebuke them by saying that "The sad thing is, most of you are more upset at my using that word than you are about people … Continue reading “Cussing Christians” and “Swearing Saints” →

On occasions where my writing veers into the political arena, it is easy for some to assume that I am a Republican. The truth , however, is that I have not actively identified with any political party in well over twenty years. That decision was very deliberate and I have never, ever regretted it. At … Continue reading Confessions of a Political Independent →

Published in The Daily Beacon, Monday, February 19, 2007 Adolf Hitler once remarked that "Once the enemy has been identified, all proof becomes automatic." When society looks for scapegoats, religious groups have always been an easy target. In today’s world, one of the more common pariahs has been the so-called "Christian Right." However, as we … Continue reading Christians No Foes To Progress →

Published on The Tennessee Journalist on June 8, 2009 “His blood be on us, and on our children.” These chilling words are well known from the account of Jesus’ trial recorded in Matthew 27:25. Throughout history, they have been used (completely out of context) to justify horrendous persecution of Jews all around the world. In … Continue reading Christians Must Denounce Anti-Semitism →