After a stinging defeat at the hands of the Philistines, the elders of Israel have a plan to strike back. It’s their secret super weapon. Why they didn’t bring out the weapon in the first place, we don’t know. But now they do, and the super weapon has a profound effect on the Philistines. Let’sContinue reading “The arrogance of Israel’s super weapon – 1st Samuel 4:1b-7:17, Part 3”
Tag Archives: war
How easily we can succumb to folk theology – 1st Samuel 4:1b-7:17, Part 2
Years ago someone told me how they got into a car accident while driving on a snowy road. They hit a slick patch, lost control, the vehicle spun around and they came to a rest against a snow bank on the side of the road. No injury. No damage. No collision. Nothing. They said theyContinue reading “How easily we can succumb to folk theology – 1st Samuel 4:1b-7:17, Part 2”
Is God to blame for the times life goes wrong? – 1st Samuel 4:1b-7:17, Part 1
Did you have a spiritual crisis and turn to God in grief, “Why Lord?” when a container ship hit the Key Bridge in Baltimore, and six people lost their lives? You were likely saddened and even appalled. My guess is that the disaster was like the many, many other disasters that happen so frequently; theyContinue reading “Is God to blame for the times life goes wrong? – 1st Samuel 4:1b-7:17, Part 1”
What do you think about End Times Prophecy? – Q & A, Part 5
This week we take a break from our Relationships in the Church series. At Faith Church this past week I gave a Q & A sermon. I asked the congregation for questions ahead of time, and then I attempted to bring biblical theology to bear on their questions. Here’s the next question: What is Faith Church’sContinue reading “What do you think about End Times Prophecy? – Q & A, Part 5”
How to have hope amidst evil in the world – Advent Psalms of Lament, Part 4
This week I welcome guest blogger, Jeff Byerly. Jeff is my pastoral colleague, friend, ThD classmate, and traveling partner! He and his wife Tasha have two daughters, a son-in-law and new grandbaby! As we continue studying the lament of Psalm 137, the psalmist recalls the vicious attack from Israel’s enemies that led to Israel’s captivity.Continue reading “How to have hope amidst evil in the world – Advent Psalms of Lament, Part 4”
Struggling with war and peace – Boots of Peace, Preview
With war raging in Ukraine, Israel, and Myanmar, I wondered how many wars are happening across the globe right now as I write in fall 2023. One tracker I found lists 32 countries currently involved in war, and my country, the USA, is not one of them. Of those wars, 18 are terrorist wars, 9Continue reading “Struggling with war and peace – Boots of Peace, Preview”
Are we living in the end times? – Ezekiel 7, Preview
The end is near!!! Encouraging start to this post, huh? But have you wondered if the end actually is near? Have you looked at our world situation, our national situation and wondered if we can last much longer? If you have, you’re not alone. I’ve heard people speculate about it a lot lately, especially givenContinue reading “Are we living in the end times? – Ezekiel 7, Preview”
Anger, Revenge and War – Characters: Samson, Part 3
Anger can lead to awful revenge. Revenge can escalate to retribution. Warring parties can strike at each other, over and over. We see this in conflicts between nations and ethnicities. Political parties unwilling to see one another in any way except negatively. Husbands and wives that fall apart in nasty divorces. Friendships taking sides. ChurchesContinue reading “Anger, Revenge and War – Characters: Samson, Part 3”
Should Christians take up arms? [Christians & War – Deuteronomy 20, part 4]
How should Christians view war? We are not the nation of ancient Israel which had a special covenant with God. We are the church, and we are under a new covenant. So from this passage in Deuteronomy, we can learn God’s heart, but we have to also take into consideration the new covenant we haveContinue reading “Should Christians take up arms? [Christians & War – Deuteronomy 20, part 4]”
The difficulties of holy war passages in the Old Testament [Christians & War – Deuteronomy 20, part 3]
In part 1 and part 2 of this series on Deuteronomy 20, we learned that Israel’s priests and army officers are to address the army before battle. Now God gives them some instructions about how to carry out battle. If you aren’t aware of these passages of Scripture, brace yourselves, as they can be shocking.Continue reading “The difficulties of holy war passages in the Old Testament [Christians & War – Deuteronomy 20, part 3]”
Engaging Scripture 