Category Archives: Index

Election: Romans 9, Part 3 (hardening Pharaoh’s heart)

(Rom 9:17-18)  For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 Therefore God has mercy … Continue reading

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Resource Materials: Tools of the Trade, Part 2

A reader asks, Do you have a favorite New Testament commentary or do you prefer the book-by-book commentaries?  Also your current views on The Transforming Word: A One-Volume Commentary on the Bible (the inerrancy issue is not a concern of … Continue reading

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Election: Roman 9, Part 2 (“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy.”)

(Rom 9:14-16)  What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 It … Continue reading

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Renewing Our Worship: The Love Feast

I get emails — Brother Guin, I have been researching the subject of the Love Feast of Jude, mentioned by Peter and corrected by Paul. I see in the scriptures what you discuss in your article. I have concluded long … Continue reading

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Election: Romans 9, Part 1 (“Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated”)

(Rom 9:1-4a)  I speak the truth in Christ–I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit– 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed … Continue reading

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Election: Romans 1

Romans 1:18-32 helps to set the stage for the rest of Romans, and makes points about how God works in history that reverberate throughout the rest of the book, particularly chapters 9 – 11. (Rom 1:18-19)  The wrath of God … Continue reading

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Amazing Grace: When Does a Christian Fall Away?

From a reader — Well we are studying your book (Holy Spirit and Revolutionary Grace) in our Sunday a.m. class. Most are really enjoying it. One is, to say the least, struggling with some of your thoughts on when is … Continue reading

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Bad Elders: A Question from a Reader

I get emails — Small Church of Christ in the Bible Belt. Not incorporated, and so no bylaws or charter. The church has two elders, one of them is the preacher. The non-preaching elder fires the preacher and demands his … Continue reading

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Election: Romans 9 – 11, Reading Paul, Part 2

Corporate Christianity We Americans, as Westerners, believe in what some call radical individualism. In our world, the individual (me) is more important than the nation, the community, or the family. We aren’t surprised at all when our children leave family, … Continue reading

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Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: When the Rabbi Says “Go”

Omrit, Herod’s temple to Caesar The lesson begins at what is probably the northern temple to Caesar built by Herod. Caesar claimed to be a “son of god.” If the site is that temple, then the Damascus Road is likely … Continue reading

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