There are many passages in the Bible that talk about God’s punishment. Today’s passage is one of them. I have to admit that I don’t like the idea of a God who punishes. Especially considering that there are loads of other passages in Scripture that talk about God’s love. “God is love,” John writes (1Continue reading “Does God punish people? – 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Part 5”
Tag Archives: sexuality
When it comes sexual expression, men, we need to do better – 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Part 4
In contemporary society, we are well aware of the ways in which people harm or take advantage of others sexually. Certainly in the context Paul wrote, and throughout most of human history, that harm, that taking advantage of, has moved in one direction. From males to females. In the vast majority of situations where thereContinue reading “When it comes sexual expression, men, we need to do better – 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Part 4”
Christians, stop trying to control other people’s bodies – 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Part 3
This week on the blog, we’re studying 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, and in that passage, Paul’s main theme is that Christians are people who are living more and more to please God. The theological word he uses is that we are to be sanctified. In the previous post, I talk about what “sanctified” means. In today’sContinue reading “Christians, stop trying to control other people’s bodies – 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Part 3”
So many questions about human sexuality – 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Preview
This coming week I resume the blog series on 1 Thessalonians, and we will study chapter 4, verses 1–8. The topic of those verses is sexuality. Evidence suggests that the Greco-Roman culture of the first century was highly sexualized, somewhat like many cultures of the twenty-first century. What Paul writes to the Christians in ThessalonicaContinue reading “So many questions about human sexuality – 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Preview”
Are you a typical human who doesn’t see the truth about yourself? – 2 Samuel 11—12, Part 4
Editor’s Note: This week we welcome guest blogger, Emily Marks. Emily is an adult and community educator. She and her husband Sean live in Lancaster, PA, with their dog Corvus. I learned so much from her sermon on 2 Samuel 11-12! I’m excited for you to read these blog posts. David has a big responsibilityContinue reading “Are you a typical human who doesn’t see the truth about yourself? – 2 Samuel 11—12, Part 4”
Women are not responsible for the way people view women’s bodies – 2 Samuel 11, Part 3
Editor’s Note: This week we welcome guest blogger, Emily Marks. Emily is an adult and community educator. She and her husband Sean live in Lancaster, PA, with their dog Corvus. I learned so much from her sermon on 2 Samuel 11-12! I’m excited for you to read these blog posts. David is smart. As weContinue reading “Women are not responsible for the way people view women’s bodies – 2 Samuel 11, Part 3”
Examining the acts of the sinful nature – Galatians 5:16-26, Part 4
In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul lists some examples of what he calls “the acts of the sinful nature.” It is not a comprehensive list, as that could potentially fill multiple volumes. Instead Paul mentions a dozen or so examples to illustrate how all humans have a sinful nature. In this post we’ll examine his list. I’mContinue reading “Examining the acts of the sinful nature – Galatians 5:16-26, Part 4”
Sex and death: Is God’s way best? – Ezekiel 24, Part 5
This week in Ezekiel chapter 24, we’ve learned at least two important things about God’s heart. First, his desire for holiness, and in particular, how that relates to human sexuality. Second, his desire for us to trust him when it seems he has allowed something terribly unfair in our lives, in particular the death ofContinue reading “Sex and death: Is God’s way best? – Ezekiel 24, Part 5”
Is there hope for a world on fire? – Ezekiel 11, Preview
Wildfires have been ravaging sections of the western USA. It happens every years during the hot, dry months of summer, but 2021 is particularly bad. I heard a news report that the acreage destroyed to this point in 2021 is three times that of 2020, and we thought 2020 was bad. A few weeks ago,Continue reading “Is there hope for a world on fire? – Ezekiel 11, Preview”
One time Christians are commanded to kill? – Colossians 3:5-11, Part 2
In the previous post, I said that we will be studying Paul’s comments about laundry for a few weeks. This week is part one, Colossians 3:5-11, all about taking off our dirty clothes. Next week will be part two, Colossians 3:12-17, all about putting on clean clothes. In today’s post, we start studying part one.Continue reading “One time Christians are commanded to kill? – Colossians 3:5-11, Part 2”
Engaging Scripture 