How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way.
(Psalm 119:103–104; NKJV)
In a recent post, I explained why studying the Bible is important. But, as I mentioned, the Bible is a large collection of books written long ago in far-away places covering a wide range of topics. Where do you start? What is the goal? How do you do it? Here is a basic introduction to how I do Bible study.
Continue readingGo therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:19–20; NKJV)
Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble. (James 1:27)
I was recently in a conversation when I encountered the statement, “$5000 is about right for a church camera.” Context is key, so I asked for clarification. The response I received included the sentiment that maybe some churches should go back to audio recordings of sermons and playlists of songs instead of live-streaming or video recording a lower quality product.
Continue readingBe diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer. (2 Timothy 2:15–17; NKJV)
Since the earliest days of Christianity, believers have not only read the Bible, but also committed themselves to studying it. Two thousand years of study have brought quite a lot of diverse and detailed viewpoints. But why study the Bible at all? Isn’t the Bible simple enough for even a child to understand? And haven’t theologians figured it all out by now? Let’s dive in.
Continue readingI will meditate on Your precepts,
And contemplate Your ways.
I will delight myself in Your statutes;
I will not forget Your word.
(Psalm 119:15–16; NKJV)
In my last post, I explained how reading the Bible is relevant today. But the Bible is a unique collection of books written by multiple authors, on multiple continents, spanning two millennia, and including several different styles of writings. How do you read a book like that? What approaches are helpful? Where do you start? Here are some suggestions.
Continue readingWe have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:19–21; NKJV)
For nearly 2000 years, the Bible has been a source of comfort, wisdom, and hope for Christians around the world. But the modern West has grown increasingly opposed to the Bible, seeing it as outdated and irrelevant for modern life. Is the Bible relevant? Does it have any value today? Let’s take a look.
Continue readingAnd without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory. (1 Timothy 3:16; NKJV)
In my last post, I looked the deity of Christ from a biblical perspective. One question I received was about the humanity of Jesus. If the Son is God, then do we “not believe that Jesus is a man of flesh and blood”? How do the Trinity and the humanity of Jesus fit together? Let’s get into it.
Continue readingBut Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.” Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. (John 5:17–18; NKJV)
One of the most popular criticisms of the doctrine of the Trinity is that Jesus never claimed to be God. The implied conclusion is, if Jesus never claimed to be God, then He is not God. Is this claim valid? Does does it stand up when tested according to the Scriptures? Let’s get to it.
Continue readingThe Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. (Romans 8:16–17; NKJV)
In my last post, I briefly explained the doctrine of the Trinity and answered some common questions about it. There is another very important question about the Trinity that I saved for a separate post. Is the doctrine of the Trinity biblical? Does it accurately reflect the teaching of Scripture? Let’s test it according to the Scriptures.
Continue readingWhen He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16–17; NKJV)
The Trinity is an established Christian doctrine. But a lot of Christians have a hard time making sense of it. The doctrine of the Trinity is often criticized, as well, for not being historical and for teaching the worship of multiple gods. What is the Trinity? Is it a historical Christian doctrine? Does it teach worship of multiple gods? Let’s dive in.
Continue readingThen those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers... praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:41–42, 47; NKJV)
The word ‘church’ receives mixed reactions in modern America. Historically, the church has largely been a force for social good, founding many of the social institutions we take for granted today (including education and healthcare). But in modern America, the church is often portrayed as an outdated institution holding society back from social progress. What is the church? What are her primary religious and social purposes? Let’s dig in.
Continue reading
Tim Northup 
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