What are contemporary heresies that might infect the church? I ask this question from time to time in my congregation, and you know the answer that people first respond with? Almost always, the first idea they bring up is about or related to homosexuality. That topic is an important one to discuss, and I haveContinue reading “Evangelicals need to move back from the heresies of Trumpism and White Christian Nationalism – Colossians 2:8-15, Part 3”
Author Archives: joelkime
Evidence that heretical philosophy might have taken American Christians captive – Colossians 2:8-15, Part 2
How could one man like Adolf Hitler have such sway and influence in German society in the 1930s, to the point where millions of Jews ended up being slaughtered by Germans? To the point where there was major world war, and nearly the entire German populace supported it, including Christians! How? It boggles the mind.Continue reading “Evidence that heretical philosophy might have taken American Christians captive – Colossians 2:8-15, Part 2”
What is truth? Where do we find truth in a world of fake news? – Colossians 2:8-15, Part 1
Easter is just a few weeks away, and that means we once again celebrate Holy Week. Imagine with me the scene from the darkest day of Holy Week, Good Friday, when the Roman governor Pilate questions Jesus. Pilate is the most powerful man in the land, representing the authority and might of the Roman Emperor. Continue reading “What is truth? Where do we find truth in a world of fake news? – Colossians 2:8-15, Part 1”
How to be a good friend to God- Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 10
In the previous post, I mentioned that I had to confess and repent, “Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit in me, I am sorry I haven’t been a good friend, I’m sorry I haven’t given much effort to get to know you.” Of course, that is not totally true, as we can get to know God inContinue reading “How to be a good friend to God- Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 10”
Are you the friend who won’t shut up? – Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 9
Do you have a friend to whom you say, “Hey, how are you doing?” when you see them, and it’s like you just opened a door for them to unload on you. They can go on and on, seemingly not needing to come up for air, as they divulge their life on you. Meanwhile you’reContinue reading “Are you the friend who won’t shut up? – Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 9”
The ancient mystery is revealed! – Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 8
All week long we have been learning about a mystery, starting here! In Colossians 1, verse 27, Paul tells us that the mystery has glorious riches. Glory refers to the concept of splendor, of remarkable appearance. The second word, riches, refers to abundant riches. In fact, the particular word Paul uses for “riches” often hasContinue reading “The ancient mystery is revealed! – Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 8”
Who the grand mystery is revealed to – Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 7
Have you ever heard of the word, etymology? If you are the kind of person who likes to know where our English words came from, you are an etymologist at heart. Etymology is the study of the history of words. Therefore the etymology of a word is the origin and development of that word throughoutContinue reading “Who the grand mystery is revealed to – Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 7”
A Mystery of Biblical Proportions – Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 6
I love a good mystery story. From Sherlock Holmes to Agatha Christie to even Scooby-Doo or contemporary TV shows like Psych. It could even be true crime dramas about unsolved mysteries. I find it be intriguing trying to figure out “who done it.” I also love the stories about mysteries in nature or history. WhatContinue reading “A Mystery of Biblical Proportions – Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 6”
Why we shouldn’t sweep Christian Perfection into the dustbin of history – Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 5
Is perfection possible? It’s the question I’ve been asking and exploring starting here. Why perfection? It seems like an easy question to answer when we look around the world today, and at ourselves. Perfection seems impossible, and even potentially damaging as a goal, because of the often destructive nature of perfectionism. I’ve been asking theContinue reading “Why we shouldn’t sweep Christian Perfection into the dustbin of history – Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 5”
Lennon had Instant Karma and Wesley had Instant Perfection…who was right? – Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 4
John Lennon had Instant Karma. John Wesley had Instantaneous Perfection. In the Lennon/Ono song, we hear “Instant karma’s gonna get you…” a line that leads us to think about punishment for our bad behavior. In the Wesley sermon, basically the exact opposite idea is in play, that some people are blessed with perfection, that theyContinue reading “Lennon had Instant Karma and Wesley had Instant Perfection…who was right? – Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 4”
Engaging Scripture 