Eight Things I Learned from David Needham

Earlier this week, David Needham, my former teacher at Multnomah Bible College, passed into the presence of the Lord at the age of 94. During the past few days, I have been reflecting upon his profound influence on me. Here are eight things I learned from my beloved teacher. 1. Awe in the Presence of … Continue reading Eight Things I Learned from David Needham

How Not to Apply the Bible

Twelve young adults sit on couches, chairs, and floor pillows around a living room with their Bibles open. Let’s listen in on their conversation. “We’re continuing our study in the life of Samson. You’ll recall that the Philistines shaved Samson’s head and then blinded and imprisoned him after Delilah tricked Samson into revealing that his … Continue reading How Not to Apply the Bible

What Does Grace Do? An Unusual Choice of Words by the Apostle Paul

What do you mean, Ken…what does grace do? Grace doesn’t do anything. Grace is unmerited favor from God. It is something given. Grammatically, grace isn’t the subject of the verb; it’s the object of the verb. It’s the thing that God bestows. Right? Yes…usually. But not in every case. Although you are entirely correct to … Continue reading What Does Grace Do? An Unusual Choice of Words by the Apostle Paul

Why Would God Include a Verse in the Bible that We Cannot Understand?

I recently led some students through a case study of Luke 16:1-13, the “notoriously difficult” Parable of the Unrighteous Manager. In Jesus’s parable, the manager gets sacked by his boss for dishonesty, finds a shrewd way around his dilemma, and for some reason receives praise by his former boss. After discussing verse 9 at length … Continue reading Why Would God Include a Verse in the Bible that We Cannot Understand?

Remember Those Who are Mistreated

Last night I read through a recent issue of Voice of the Martyrs magazine (about 15 pages). It is my practice—a personal discipline if you will—to read through every new issue of this magazine. In all honesty, I am often a bit reluctant to do so, but the reason I open and read is because … Continue reading Remember Those Who are Mistreated

Something Important about Forgiveness

When Jesus hung on the cross, did he forgive those who crucified him? Technically, no. Jesus prayed that the Father would forgive his persecutors. He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). He asked God the Father to forgive his murderers, and thereby transferred the decision of … Continue reading Something Important about Forgiveness

Seven Favorite Christian Books of 2023

Welcome to 2024! As we enter a new year, I want to share my seven favorite Christian books of 2023. Note that my very favorite books of the year are at the bottom of this list, so you’ll want to keep reading. #7 The Spirit Said Go: Lessons in Guidance from Paul’s Journeys by Mark … Continue reading Seven Favorite Christian Books of 2023

Why December 25 for Christmas?

One popular but less-likely theory for why we celebrate Christmas on December 25 is that Christians piggy-backed their Christmas celebration on the Roman pagan Sol Invictus festival (the Unconquered Sun), which was established in A.D. 274 by the Emperor Aurelian. In some modern Christian circles, the claim that the date of Christmas was borrowed from … Continue reading Why December 25 for Christmas?

One Mark of Christian Maturity

Most biblical indicators of Christian maturity involve a person’s developing character qualities. But I have observed another common quality among Christians who could be described as “mature”—by which I do not mean “older,” but people who have developed well as Christians, whatever their age. Here is one (less frequently discussed) mark of Christian maturity. Spiritually … Continue reading One Mark of Christian Maturity

The Limits of Idolatry: Can We View Greed and Lust like Idols of Wood and Stone?

I used to wonder whether the interpretive move from worship of wood and stone images to heart issues like greed, lust, and gluttony was hermeneutically proper. I mean, we don’t always—and we shouldn’t always—spiritualize things that are physical in their original contexts. Isn’t that what allegorizers do? No, such a move is not illegitimate. Let … Continue reading The Limits of Idolatry: Can We View Greed and Lust like Idols of Wood and Stone?