The Alelyon (one another) passages in the New Testament: Encourage and build up each other (1 Thess. 5:11), Part 2 I was thinking that this week we would move on to a new “one another” passage, but a comment by my good friend Sam Williamson (see his excellent blog at beliefsoftheheart.com) has vaulted me right...... Read More

The “alleylon” (one another) passages in the New Testament, Part 7: And so fulfill the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2b) (In which we continue our brief hiatus from the normal program to revel in even more theology) One of the best aspects of studying theology is that the Holy Spirit has authored an excellent book about...... Read More

The “alleylon” (one another) passages in the New Testament, Part 6: And so fulfill the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2b) (In which we take a brief hiatus from our normal program to revel in a bit of theology) If I were Miss Judy from Romper Room* we could have a show of hands in response to...... Read More

The “alleylon” (one another) passages in the New Testament, Part 5c: Bear each others’ burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2) So for the last couple of weeks we’ve been peering into the meaning of this verse in Paul’s letter to the Galatians, attempting to understand what all this carrying...... Read More

The “alleylon” (one another) passages in the New Testament, Part 5: Bear each others’ burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2) A couple of weeks ago in my previous blog, we were sitting at table with Jesus, the Son of God, having our feet washed in a kind of act...... Read More

Thoughts on the Beatitudes, Last Part: What Have We Learned about Being Happy? Someone once said that if we can’t attain to virtue, at least we can admire it. OK, maybe I made that up, which is something that others, especially Joanne (my wife) have accused me of doing. But that doesn’t make the saying...... Read More

Thoughts on the Beatitudes, Part 9b: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. Once upon a time there was a stunningly lame song, the chorus of which began, “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” I am profoundly sorry to any of you who now...... Read More

Thoughts on the Beatitudes, Part 8a: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. As a young boy I generally and genuinely enjoyed going to church and Sunday school. Besides being attracted to the weekly Scripture readings, I was also fascinated by some of the illustrations of theological, anthropological, and soteriological issues...... Read More

Thoughts on the Beatitudes, Part 6: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness; they shall be satisfied. Before plunging in to Jesus’ next statement of happiness, let’s revisit the structure of the Beatitudes and situate the previous blessing of meekness. Looking at the verse to verse progression, it is clear that meekness sits...... Read More

Thoughts on the Beatitudes, Part 5: Blessed are the meek; they shall inherit the earth. OK, let’s get this out of the way. When I am driving behind you on a two-lane, double yellow line road and you are poking along at five miles per hour over the speed limit OR LOWER, I am not...... Read More