Category Archives: Theology

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

Posted on April 18, 2023 by salooper57
Posted in Bible, Christianity, Theology, What the Bible Has to Say to American Culture | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Faith, Holy Week, Peace with God, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Church, Theology | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

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.

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Theology, What the Bible Has to Say to American Culture, Worldview and Culture | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Peace with God, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Bible, Church, Sermons, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Bible, Spiritual life, Theology | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Bible, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Day the Church Was Born (Acts 2)

Posted on March 26, 2023 by salooper57

We are looking today at Acts 2, which recounts the origins of the Church. When God poured out his Spirit on the 120 Jesus-followers who had gathered in Jerusalem, they went from being friends and associates with a shared history … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Church, Church Life, Sermons, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Search for God: A Journey that Never Ends

Posted on March 18, 2023 by salooper57

The Search for God: A Journey That Never Ends Everyone is a searcher. Not everyone knows it. Humans eat, sleep, mate, work – and they search. In fact, they search while they are eating, sleeping, mating, and working.  Those who … Continue reading →

Posted in Spiritual life, Theology | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments