The fundamental difference between values and virtue is a matter of where they originate. God defines virtue, called fruits of the Spirit in Paul. People choose values that may be good or bad. Virtue is always good. Christians are always to choose what is good. They are always to choose virtue. Our values should always…
People change, but can they be transformed? Change in a human being may be for the better or worse. Transformation, or conversion, is always for the better, and it is radical. The most significant, if not the only transformation, has to do with conforming to Jesus Christ. Only by God’s grace is this possible. The…
Last time, the discussion was about the importance of self-control. Especially in these times, little support from the general community exists for the exercise of this fruit of the Spirit. In American culture the media and educational institutions encourage the cultivation and expression of inordinate desire. Lack of restraint has become a virtue. This attitude…
A few days ago as I was driving to Easton, I thought of the importance of self-control in our lives and in our dealings with others. I felt such an urgency that I decided to interrupt the articles on “Encounters with Jesus in the Gospel of John.” We will return to this subject. The Greek…
In the Gospel of John Jesus engages in conversation a number of people, some foes, others new converts, and yet others undecided. One among those He meets along the way is the Samaritan woman. In her case we get a vivid idea of the human condition and Jesus’ response to it. The woman comes to…
Nicodemus, the Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews, came to Jesus by night to inquire of Him about His ministry. He recognizes Jesus as a teacher from God because of the signs that He does. The passage (John 3: 1-21) is wrought with irony. When Jesus says that a person must be born again (or from above) to enter…
The mother of our Lord attended a wedding feast at Cana to which Jesus and His disciples were also invited. When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother informed her Son that there was no more wine. He gave a strange answer, “Woman, what has this to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” And then, Mary told the…
The Gospel of John gives its own unique account of Jesus’ coming to the Jordan for baptism. One day John sees Jesus approaching him. He declares, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because…
The modern age is characterized by much confusion. What accounts for this situation? Many different perspectives on the meaning of life and the world (See Charles Taylor, A Secular Age ) would be among the most important reasons. A very competitive marketplace of ideas exists in 21st century America. One can imagine that this state of affairs was…
Too often today the facts spoken or written about any subject or issue are inaccurate. This may happen because of ignorance. It may be done on purpose. Those who distort facts knowingly lack integrity. It is very important that we get the facts of a case as straight as we can. This requirement includes doing the research that is necessary…
