Category Archives: Index

The Future of the Churches of Christ: Church Trends, Part 2

Posted on June 3, 2015 by Jay F Guin

Some takeaways — * Cultural Christianity is dying. Only about to 20 to 25% of Americans are committed Protestant Christians in the sense of going to church on Sunday and actually allowing Christianity to shape how they live. The rest are increasingly … Continue reading →

Posted in Progressive Churches of Christ, The Future of the Churches of Christ, Uncategorized | 56 Comments

How to Study the Bible: God’s Plan: Genesis 1 – 11

Posted on June 2, 2015 by Jay F Guin

So why does Genesis provide us with the material found in Genesis 1 – 11? These chapters aren’t obviously about God’s self-revelation. Genesis tells the story of how God created humankind in fellowship with him, but also relates how that … Continue reading →

Posted in How to Study the Bible, Uncategorized | 8 Comments

The Future of the Churches of Christ: Church Trends, Part 1

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Jay F Guin

The news has been filled with reports regarding the decline of Christianity in the U.S. A recent study by the Pew Research Center shows a 7.8% decline in Americans who self-identify as “Christian.” Looking more closely at the numbers, we … Continue reading →

Posted in Progressive Churches of Christ, The Future of the Churches of Christ, Uncategorized | 21 Comments

How to Study the Bible: God’s Plan

Posted on May 31, 2015 by Jay F Guin

So I guess you noticed that the series took a sudden left turn in the last post. We were discussing Bible study tools, and then all of sudden, we’re talking narrative hermeneutics — but hermeneutics are just another kind of tool. And … Continue reading →

Posted in How to Study the Bible, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

1 Corinthians 16:5-24 (Concluding exhortations)

Posted on May 30, 2015 by Jay F Guin

Paul customarily ended his letters with a series of personal notes. It was a challenge to get a letter from place to place in ancient Rome. Normally, this was done by sending a scroll with a trusted friend. Given that … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians, 1 Corinthians, Uncategorized | 7 Comments

How to Study the Bible: The Over-Arching A-B-A’ Story

Posted on May 29, 2015 by Jay F Guin

[This is adapted from an earlier post.] The next step in Bible study is learning to approach the scriptures with the right questions — understanding where each element of scripture is situated within God’s story. One excellent approach is found in … Continue reading →

Posted in How to Study the Bible, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

1 Corinthians 16:1-4 (On the first day of every week)

Posted on May 28, 2015 by Jay F Guin

Paul has now finished the serious theological part of his epistle, and so he moves to some practical concerns. One recurring feature of many of Paul’s letters is his collection of funds for the saints in Jerusalem. We aren’t ever told … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians, 1 Corinthians, Uncategorized | 22 Comments

How to Study the Bible: Bible Software

Posted on May 27, 2015 by Jay F Guin

I’ve alluded a few times to Bible software as a study aid, and there are just all sorts of programs out there — some free and some quite expensive. Everyone with a smartphone or tablet has doubtlessly found the wide … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study Resources, How to Study the Bible, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

1 Corinthians 15:45-58 (O, Death, where is your victory?)

Posted on May 26, 2015 by Jay F Guin

Paul next returns to an earlier theme, the comparison of Adam and Jesus. (1Co 15:45 ESV) 45 Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. Paul quotes Gen 2:7 … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians, 1 Corinthians, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

How to Study the Bible: Commentaries

Posted on May 25, 2015 by Jay F Guin

For those new to serious Bible study, a “commentary” is a book that explains one or more books of the Bible in detail, generally verse by verse. Most commentaries are published as part of a set intended to cover the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study Resources, How to Study the Bible, Uncategorized | 3 Comments