When Righteousness is a Shell: The Pharisees and the Motte-and-Bailey Fallacy
April 25, 2025In today’s culture of argument and opinion, it’s easy to spot flawed reasoning in the world around us. But some of the most dangerous fallacies are not new at all. In fact, they’re ancient—and Scripture shows us that even the most religious can fall into them. One of these is known today as the motte…
People of the Bible: Mark
January 20, 2025Mark is a prominent figure in the Bible, best known as the author of the Gospel of Mark, the second book in the New Testament. Also referred to as John Mark in Scripture, he played an important role in the early Christian church. Although Mark was not an eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry, his close relationship…
Peter in the Bible
January 8, 2025Peter, originally named Simon, was a fisherman and one of Jesus’ closest disciples, playing a foundational role in the early Christian Church. His story reflects a journey of transformation, faith, and leadership. Jesus gave him the name Peter, meaning “rock” (Greek: Petros), signifying his future role in the Church (John 1:42, Matthew 16:18). He is…
Matthew: The Tax Collector Turned Disciple
November 18, 2024Matthew, also known as Levi, was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and is traditionally credited as the author of the Gospel of Matthew. His remarkable transformation from a tax collector—a profession despised in Jewish society—to a devoted disciple of Christ exemplifies the transformative power of grace and redemption. Matthew worked as a tax…
Paul (Saul of Tarsus)
November 15, 2024This post continues my reflections on influential figures in the Bible—aside from Jesus—who have shaped my Christian journey. After writing about John and Stephen, who bear my namesake, I turn now to the Apostle Paul. Paul, also known as Saul of Tarsus, was one of the most impactful figures in early Christianity. Born a Jew…
Stephen in the Bible: The First Christian Martyr
November 14, 2024Stephen, one of the seven deacons appointed by the early church, is a prominent New Testament figure, known as the first Christian martyr. Though specific details about his origins are limited, Stephen’s Greek name and service to the Hellenistic Jewish community suggest he was a Greek-speaking Jew, bridging both Jewish and Greek cultures. His life…
John’s Unique Distinction Among the Twelve Apostles
November 12, 2024In Mark 3:13–19, we read about the appointment of the twelve apostles: “Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out…
Is God Cruel?
October 28, 2024Thomas Paine (1737–1809) was a significant English-born political philosopher, writer, and activist whose works, such as Common Sense and The Age of Reason, helped shape revolutionary ideas in both America and France. In The Age of Reason, he wrote, “Belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man,” suggesting that a person’s view of God…
Are We Living in the End Times
October 23, 2024For as long as I have been a Christian and reading my Bible, I have heard that we are living in the “End Times.” Some people think that the defining scripture is the Book of Revelation, attributed to John the Apostle while he was exiled to the island of Patmos. In reality, the Bible is…
The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion.
July 29, 2024The book of Numbers, chapter 14, verse 18 [NIV], encapsulates the profound and multifaceted nature of God’s character. It highlights two key attributes: His abundant love and His justice. Let’s explore the significance of this verse in a deeper context. The Lord’s Patience and Abundant Love This opening statement speaks to God’s immense patience and…