Preferences. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a preference is “the fact that you like something or someone more than another thing or person.” I prefer hamburgers, pizza, hotdogs, or BBQ at every meal. I prefer to watch the NFL over College Football (Go Broncos!). I prefer to watch a movie of a classic novel than read the book (looking at you Lord of the Rings). I prefer to be outside during a thunderstorm than be inside. I prefer vanilla over chocolate. I prefer to study late into the night over getting up early. I prefer the mountains over the beach (unless I’m on the Oregon coast, then I can have both at the same time).… Continue reading
Tag Archives: doctrine
Back to the Basics: Scripture’s Clarity
As I made known in our reintroduction to this feature at Parking Space 23, from time to time we will be pointing you to posts which have been previously published. In most cases we have accomplished this with something called a “Reprise.” What this usually means is the contributor responsible for posting that day has had an extremely busy week; at least that has been the case for me. However, today I am going to do something a little different. Instead of posting a reprise, I am going to point you to this series of posts written by John Chester on the Clarity of Scripture.… Continue reading
Back to the Basics: The Canon of Scripture
Many times when a Christian encounters push back concerning the Faith, it comes in the form of questions and questioning about the Bible. In some of these cases it is a matter of how the Bible came to be recognized, compiled or created. In order to lay some ground work for a better understanding of this subject I would like us to look to the New Testament as an example of how the Bible came to be. The format for this post will be a bit unorthodox as it is presented as a series of questions and answers followed by some recommendations for further study, all for the purpose of taking us Back to the Basics.… Continue reading
Implications or Applications?: Preaching Biblical Narratives
Some preachers produce abundant applications (or, implications?) for their congregations from biblical narratives, whether they are Old Testament historical narratives like Judges 4 or New Testament Gospel narratives like Mark 3. Other preachers insist they should offer only theological and practical implications. Still others refuse to recognize any implications or applications from Scripture narratives. They declare, “Biblical narrative is only descriptive, not prescriptive.” Which practice is best? Which practice is legitimate and in keeping with sound biblical interpretation?
New Testament Teaching
No matter what the topic, one should always begin with the Scriptures themselves. What does the Word of God teach?… Continue reading
“You Are My People”–How Should We Live?
God said to Israel, “I will also walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people” (Leviticus 26:12 NASU). The middle two phrases present an expression of the covenant relationship between the Lord and His people. In an earlier blog we covered the first major concept (“I will . . . be your God”) and discovered whom we should serve. Now we turn to the second major concept (“you shall be My people”) and how we should live for Him.
Jesus taught His disciples, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).… Continue reading