The Apostle Thomas: More Than ‘Doubting Thomas’
Thomas is usually remembered for one refusal to believe, but John gives us more than a nickname. He speaks with courage in one scene…
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The Good Samaritan: What Jesus’ Parable Really Teaches
The Good Samaritan is familiar, but the question that led Jesus to tell it is easy to miss. A lawyer asked, “Who is my…
Andrew the Disciple: The Quiet Apostle Who Brought People to Jesus
Andrew does not receive the attention Peter receives, but I think the passages that mention him are worth lingering over. I find it especially…
Circumcision in the Bible: Covenant, Salvation, and Christ
Why did God command circumcision, and why does the New Testament warn Gentiles not to seek it as a condition of salvation? The answer…
Wicked Schemes: What Makes a Plan Sinful?
What makes a plan wicked? Planning itself is part of ordinary life, and Scripture commends wise counsel and diligence. The danger begins when thought…
Dumb Dogs That Don’t Bark: What Isaiah Means
What does Isaiah mean when he calls Israel's guardians "dumb dogs" that cannot bark? The older word means mute, but the silence is only…
Lamps Filled With Oil: What They Mean in the Bible
What do oil and lamps teach us when they appear together in Scripture? The trail begins in the tabernacle, where oil set people apart…
What Does the Bible Say About Men’s and Women’s Hair?
Hair may seem like a small subject until we come to 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 and see how seriously Paul treats it. What is he…
Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing: How to Recognize Them
Jesus tells us to beware of wolves in sheep's clothing. That raises a difficult question: how do we protect the flock without turning discernment…
Thanksgiving: A Biblical Look at Gratitude and Its History
What are Christians actually doing when we give thanks? The Bible gives thanksgiving a much deeper meaning than a holiday meal, and the history…
Hell: What Does the Bible Actually Teach?
What does the Bible actually teach about hell? I do not want to soften Jesus' warnings, but I also do not want tradition to…
Honor Your Father and Mother: What the Bible Means in Difficult Families
What does it actually mean to honor your father and mother when family life is complicated? A dependent child does not stand in the…