Tag Archives: faith

The Power of Truth

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“For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth” (2 Corinthians 13:8).

A. W. Tozer was an amazing man of God.  I love to read his books, but I can count on coming away with sore toes.  He inspires, challenges, rebukes, convicts and encourages.  His works are not light reading, or for anyone who likes a candy-coated, fluffy message.  Consider this quote from Tozer:

“Little by little, Christians these days are being brainwashed. One evidence is that increasing numbers of them are becoming ashamed to be found unequivocally on the side of truth. They say they believe, but their beliefs have been so diluted as to be impossible of clear definition. Moral power has always accompanied definite beliefs. Great saints have always been dogmatic. We need a return to a gentle dogmatism that smiles while it stands stubborn and firm on the Word of God that lives and abides forever.” 

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Reason – A Double-Edged Sword

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In the 17th century a giant intellect arose in France by the name of René Descartes.  He is considered by many as the father of modern philosophy.  His thinking certainly served as a harbinger for the period known as the Enlightenment that would follow in the next century.

Descartes was a son of the church.  He did not set out to reject faith or deny church dogma.  What he did purpose to do was explore with his mind the limits of human knowledge.  His pursuit of knowledge is said to have begun with a series of three visions, which he believed were divine visitations.  Following these heavenly encounters, he began to explore what could be known through reason alone.  There is an apocryphal legend that he enclosed himself in a barrel for these ruminations.  Although this is a fanciful tale, he did seclude himself in order to explore the power of his own reason. Continue reading →

The Scarlet L

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I must confess that often the reason I write one of these small essays is when something ticks me off. And, you guessed it, again something has rubbed me the wrong way. Actually, it has been something percolating for a time in that part of my brain that registers frustration and irritation. A few things I have heard recently have now caused the percolation to increase to a boil. Here is what I am upset over…

I am pretty tired of any time a Christian makes a statement that a certain behavior is sinful, as defined by the Bible itself, then that person is branded as intolerant and mean-spirited. I am tired of preachers and teachers being labeled as judgmental any time they address the issue of sin, especially specific ungodly actions. I am tired of parents, teachers, and church workers being castigated as being legalistic whenever they expect Christians of any age, but especially children, to behave in ways that the Scriptures deem as righteous and godly. Bottom line: I am tired of being judged as unfair, unforgiving, and ungracious when I simply agree with what the Bible says about sin, wickedness and evil. Continue reading →

Walking in Divine Health?

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I normally don’t watch much Christian TV. Most of it is really not worth watching. Oh, I know… you can find some really good preachers, inspiring services, and solid teaching here and there. But you have to wade through the nonsense and inanity to get to the good stuff. Usually not worth the effort. (At least in my opinion. If you disagree, I ask your pardon.) So I don’t watch it. But occasionally when flipping channels, I do come across something that catches my attention. That happened last week. I chanced upon a popular TV preacher, well-known, polished, a very engaging orator. What he said intrigued me at first, then irritated me… finally angered me. That’s why I am writing this.

In the interest of being a gentle, kind Christian I won’t name the brother who was preaching. I want to be diplomatic. Let’s just use a code name instead. How about… well, C$?  Yes, that should work nicely. We’ll call him C$. Continue reading →