When I was an undergrad student in Bible college, the college held chapel services every day. One chapel speaker was a guest who gave a sermon, and then started praying. And he didn’t stop praying. The prayer started to become uncomfortably long. Many of us started checking our watches. The speaker’s prayer was eating intoContinue reading “Are you doubting? Hear Jesus’ prayer – John 17:6-26, Part 1”
Tag Archives: christianity
Why fear is the wrong response to AI – A Theology of AI, Part 5
There are many tools we create that are not inherently beautiful or evil. A hammer is not really a work of art (could be though), but it can be used for good or bad. Hammers build and hammers destroy. Same with computers and computer programming. The internet is unbelievably useful for communication, education, coordination, butContinue reading “Why fear is the wrong response to AI – A Theology of AI, Part 5”
Copyright: the super-weapon against AI? – A Theology of AI, Part 2
What might bring Artificial Intelligence down is not a group of rebel humans armed with powerful weapons in their fight against robots, but what might actually bring AI down, or at least reign it in, is copyright law. Yeah. Copyright. Here’s how. One form of Artificial intelligence is a computer program that scours the internetContinue reading “Copyright: the super-weapon against AI? – A Theology of AI, Part 2”
What Christmas cards teach us about a relationship with God – John 17:1-5, Part 4
How many Christmas cards do you receive? Christmas cards are an American cultural phenomenon. Perhaps other cultures have the same phenomenon. The cards start arriving in early December, from friends and family. We hang the cards in our dining room, as part of our Christmas decorations. Some cards include a letter with a recap ofContinue reading “What Christmas cards teach us about a relationship with God – John 17:1-5, Part 4”
What eternal really means – John 17:1-5, Part 3
If you’re tracking the first part of Jesus’ prayer (John 17:1-5), which we’ve been studying this week, you might have noticed I didn’t talk about another theme he mentions. Eternal life. Look again at verses 2-3, “For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you haveContinue reading “What eternal really means – John 17:1-5, Part 3”
Giving is living – John 17:1-5, Part 2
Jesus has one more bit of work to do. Not a small bit either. It is the final offering. Jesus would be offering his life through his beating, his crucifixion and his death. Astoundingly, as Jesus tells us in his prayer in John 17:1-5, his offering brings praise to God. In fact, Jesus in verseContinue reading “Giving is living – John 17:1-5, Part 2”
Falling asleep during prayer and the surprising act that brings glory to God – John 17:1-5, Part 1
On family vacation, we were having a prayer time where one person would share a prayer request, and then another person would pray for them. It was getting late into the evening, and I was sitting next to my wife, Michelle, on a sofa. Someone shared a prayer request, and Michelle volunteered to be theContinue reading “Falling asleep during prayer and the surprising act that brings glory to God – John 17:1-5, Part 1”
How to step further into the way of Jesus – John 15:18-16:4, Part 5
All week long we have been discussing Jesus’ distressing final words to his disciples that they might face pushback, oppression, and persecution. As we continue into the beginning of chapter 16, Jesus explains why he has been telling his disciples that it is possible that some people in the world might hate them. Look atContinue reading “How to step further into the way of Jesus – John 15:18-16:4, Part 5”
Be a Good News storyteller with your words and actions – John 15:18-16:4, Part 4
A few weeks ago we talked about the Holy Spirit, and I already discussed verses 26-27. I think it would be good to read it again, now that we are reading it in context. “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from theContinue reading “Be a Good News storyteller with your words and actions – John 15:18-16:4, Part 4”
The time Jesus said that it is a bad thing when people love you – John 15:18-16:4, Part 2
What Jesus says in John 15, verse 19, causes me to wonder about the quality of Christianity in a place like the USA. He says, “If you belonged to the world, it would love you.” Sounds good. I want people to love me. Is Jesus saying that belonging to the world is good? The wordContinue reading “The time Jesus said that it is a bad thing when people love you – John 15:18-16:4, Part 2”
Engaging Scripture 