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Moses had fled Egypt; because, he killed a man to defend a Hebrew who was being mistreated.  In the Sinai he married a daughter of Jethro, described as the priest of Midian.  He was tending the flocks of his father-in-law when he noticed a burning bush that was not consumed. …

In the Book of Genesis God speaks directly to the patriarchs–Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  At times, God comes to them in the person of an angel or angels, But, this is not the case in the story of Joseph, told toward the end of this biblical book. God’s role and…

This article is yet another revision of the last in a series about the early Christian apologists. Justin, a philosopher and Christian from Flavia Neopolis in Palestine, addresses an apology on behalf of the Christian community to the emperor, Antoninus Pius, and his son, Verisimus.  He begins by stating that…

We continue our series on the telling of stories to evoke the imagination for Christ. The serpent in the Garden of Eden, described as the most crafty beast of the field, is able to talk. We do know that the serpent does not move around on its belly until God…

In his book Mere Apologetics Alister McGrath makes a distinction between invitation and defense.  Evangelism and apologetics are related to one another, but not the same.  Apology is defense, where in public or private, we explain the articles of the Christian faith and answer questions of those who are challenging or inquiring…

Lot, Abraham’s nephew, lived with his wife and daughters in the city of Sodom, a notoriously evil place.  God decided to destroy the city, telling Lot of his intentions. through two visiting angels. The men of the city threatened the angels by demanding that they come out of the house…

Time bears all away.  Isaac Watts, the great hymnwriter, tells us the situation,  “O God, Our Help in Ages past.” Time, like an ever-flowing stream, Soon bears us all away: We fly forgotten as a dream Dies at the op’ning day.  (Lutheran Book of Worship, 320) The Forum in Rome…

“Abandon hope all who enter here.”  These words are found at hell’s gate in Dante’s Inferno.  But, at the end of the Commedia these words are written by the poet: “l’amor che move il sole e l’altre stelle, The Love which moves the sun and the other stars”–a reference to God. …

In Matthew 4:16, the gospel writer quotes a passage from the prophet Isaiah.  “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light . . .” (Isaiah 9:1ff ESV)  Jesus had gone to dwell in Capernaum on what was the territory of the Israelite tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali,…

Driving around town I’ve noticed the enthusiasm for Halloween.  The decorations are elaborate and “scary.”  Why such an interest in this holiday? Halloween goes back to Celtic new year (Samhain, pronounced sow-win).    On the eve of the new year, as darkness becomes pre-eminent, it was believed among the Celts…