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Category Archives: Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan
Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: The Gates of Hell
The lesson is taught at Caesarea Philippi, a city that was notorious for its evil. The Jordan River begins with three springs at the foot of Mt. Hermon in the city. In 2 BC, Herod Philip became tetrarch of this … Continue reading
Posted in Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan, Uncategorized
Tagged All, Christian education, hades, Ray Vander Laan, sheol
14 Comments
Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: When Storms Come / Piercing the Darkness
I’m combining two lessons, because the stories are very familiar and Ray Vander Laan does a great job with each. There’s not a lot to add, and the two lessons fit together nicely. The Sea of Galilee The lesson is … Continue reading
Posted in Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan, Uncategorized
Tagged All, Bible lessons, Ray Vander Lann
2 Comments
Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: Living Water (En Gedi)
In the wilderness, water is very special. The Jews see God as the One who brings water. In the desert, water is life. Episode is filmed in a wadi canyon near the Dead Sea in the Judean wilderness — En … Continue reading
Posted in Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan, Uncategorized
Tagged All, Faith Lessons, Ray Vander Laan
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Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: Misguided Faith, Part 4
Dwayne Phillips asked in a comment to Part 3 of this series, I enjoy reading your blog. This entry, however, sounds much like what I heard years ago from people who refused to say the pledge of allegiance and who … Continue reading
Posted in Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan, Uncategorized
Tagged All, Faith Lessons, Ray Vander Laan
8 Comments
Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: Misguided Faith, Part 3
One of the most challenging passages in the New Testament is 1 Cor. 5:9-13. 9 I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people– 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who … Continue reading
Posted in Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan, Uncategorized
Tagged All, Christian judging, Faith Lessons, immorality, Ray Vander Laan
7 Comments
Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: Misguided Faith, Part 2
The scriptures on the powers Recent New Testament scholarship has brought a new focus to Paul’s teachings about the “powers.” When Paul refers to the “powers,” he is sometimes referring to spiritual opponents of Jesus and other times referring to … Continue reading
Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: Misguided Faith, Part 1
Jesus’ followers should imitate his methods as well as his teachings. Hence, the Crusades were a mistake because the European Christians used violence to spread the gospel of peace. Vander Laan shows us a European fort on Palestinian soil, complete … Continue reading
Posted in Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan, Uncategorized
Tagged All, Crusades, Faith Lessons, Ray Vander Laan
1 Comment
Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: Language of Culture (and the Parable of the Minas)
Sepphoris was a wealthy city about 3 miles from Nazareth, under construction at the time Jesus was working as a carpenter. Nazareth may have had 300 people, while Sepphoris may have had 20,000 or 30,000 residents. Herod the Great’s will … Continue reading
Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: The Rabbi (with a Blue Parakeet note appended)
The lesson begins at Gamla, a Jewish settlement founded after the return of the Jews from Babylon. The community is on the side of a hill, so steep that one family’s roof is another man’s floor. The opposite side of … Continue reading
Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: No Greater Love, Part 2 (the Sermon on the Mount)
Jesus ministered in the area of Capernaum and Korazin, an area where Jews and Gentiles were mingled, and along the Via Maris — which would allow his teaching to be spread throughout the world. (Mat 4:13-25) Leaving Nazareth, he went … Continue reading
