Category Archives: Christianity

The Lenses We Wear When We Read the Bible

Posted on March 4, 2023 by salooper57

In the movie, “Titanic,” a mother and her teenage daughter Rose, played by Kate Winslet, are crossing the Atlantic with Rose’s fiancé. He is from the same social class as she, but he is rich while her family has squandered … Continue reading →

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Moralistic, Therapeutic Deism (What the Bible Has to Say to American Culture)

Posted on February 28, 2023 by salooper57

This session launches a class on what the Bible has to say to American culture. This is not about conservatism verses liberalism, but about biblical Christianity’s challenge to American cultural assumptions. This week, we look at the American ideal of … Continue reading →

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When God Comes Near (Isiah 63:15-64:9)

Posted on February 26, 2023 by salooper57

This past week reports of a revival on the campus of Asbury University in Wilmore, KY, made the Washington Times, Washington Examiner, FOX News, NBC news, Christianity Today, CBN, and a host of other news outlets. People are excited. People … Continue reading →

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Deconstructing Faith? Don’t Stop There

Posted on February 18, 2023 by salooper57

(Estimated reading time: four minutes.) There are a number of people in my circle of relationships who are somewhere in the process of deconstructing their faith. Among millennials, particularly educated white millennials, faith deconstruction is so common as to almost … Continue reading →

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How to Avoid End Times Deceptions

Posted on February 11, 2023 by salooper57

Don’t be motivated by fear. False prophets play on people’s fears while Christ’s genuine spokespeople encourage their hope. Fearful people are a charlatan’s best friend. Continue reading →

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Committed to the World (1 Peter 2:9-12)

Posted on February 5, 2023 by salooper57

The Christian’s commitment to the world is multifaceted. It includes a commitment to people’s welfare, to justice, and more, but it is rooted in the commitment to Christ. One aspect of our commitment to the world is our intention to … Continue reading →

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Forgiveness (Following Christ Today)

Posted on January 31, 2023 by salooper57

These classes are all about what it means to follow Christ today, but we are not following Christ when we refuse to forgive; we are standing still. So many of us have trouble with this, but forgiveness – and the … Continue reading →

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Faith: It Is Not to Be Taken Lightly

Posted on January 28, 2023 by salooper57

The Pulitzer Prize winning author Annie Dillard once asked, “Why do people in church seem like cheerful, brainless tourists on a packaged tour of the Absolute? … Does anyone have the foggiest idea what sort of power we blithely invoke? … Continue reading →

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Forgive Him (#2): Following Christ Today

Posted on January 24, 2023 by salooper57

The church of Jesus Christ was intended to be a society of forgiveness, modelling God’s forgiven in its relationships with others. This is a chief way the gospel is conveyed. Yet, we are not very good at forgiving. One reason … Continue reading →

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Seven Reasons to Commit to Christ (Col. 1:15-20)

Posted on January 15, 2023 by salooper57

This message was especially encouraging to people. If it encourages you, please let me know by leaving a comment. – Shayne The vision statement at Lockwood Church describes the reality we hope to see in this way: Committed: to Christ, … Continue reading →

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