Category Archives: Theology

The Great Story: Plotlines, Character Development, and Story Submissions

Posted on May 13, 2023 by salooper57

I would like to write a novel. This is not something new. It has been in the back of my mind since I graduated from college. Really, the desire was present even before that. In third grade I wrote my … Continue reading →

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Here Comes the Bride: The Church as the Bride of Christ

Posted on May 7, 2023 by salooper57

Many of us (I suspect this is especially true of men) have trouble connecting with the image of the church as a bride. But this is, perhaps, the richest of all biblical metaphors of the church. It is full of … Continue reading →

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The Sexual Rip Current (What the Bible Has to Say to American Culture

Posted on April 18, 2023 by salooper57
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The Crossing (John 5:19-30)

Posted on April 16, 2023 by salooper57

Why would anybody not want this kind of life, the kind that goes on forever? I’ll be candid: they don’t want it because there is no way to postpone its onset. Eternal life doesn’t start at the grave. You cannot purchase it on the layaway plan. Some people wish they could. But when you accept the eternal kind of life, it begins immediately. Not everyone wants that. Continue reading →

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Why the Church is Essential to God’s Plan for Humanity

Posted on April 15, 2023 by salooper57

The church is more important than is generally understood, even by church members. It is crucial to the future, for it lies at the center of God’s plan for humanity. Without the church, the world could never be right, and … Continue reading →

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What Does the Resurrection Say to American Culture?

Posted on April 11, 2023 by salooper57

America does not believe in resurrection. At least, that appears to be the case from what America does believe. In this class, we clarify what the Bible means by resurrection and then examine American culture’s competing beliefs.

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Why Coming Near God Is Both Risky and Redemptive

Posted on April 8, 2023 by salooper57

People sometimes ask, “Why doesn’t God just show himself? Why doesn’t he come near?” In the Scripture, God promises to come near, but that coming near is always a kind of judgment. The presence of God is a spotlight, revealing … Continue reading →

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The Day You Came Into the Church (1 Corinthians 12:1-13)

Posted on April 2, 2023 by salooper57

Last week, we looked at the day the church was born into the world. This week, we will look at the day you were born into the church. But first, we need to think a little further about what the … Continue reading →

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Doubts and Dissonance: How Jesus Responded to Doubting Thomas

Posted on April 1, 2023 by salooper57

My nephew and his wife began deconstructing their faith a couple of years ago. I like my nephew. He is a smart, thoughtful man. His parents are Christians. His grandfather was a Baptist pastor. Two of his uncles are in … Continue reading →

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God is Beautiful

Posted on March 28, 2023 by salooper57

(My good friend Michael Wickey, a computer programmer (who was raised Amish!) and a terrific guy, wrote this devotional and shared it with our church’s diaconate. I asked if I could share it with you. I hope you enjoy!) I … Continue reading →

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