After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead...
Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake… Matthew 28:1
The earth clapped its hands in joy when its Maker arose. The guards weren’t thrilled, but the whole of heaven must have erupted in song.
The Bible is full of literary devices as one might expect. ...
When it comes to the resurrection of Jesus, it should not be a surprise to find here a focus of critique and skepticism. Yes, there are also accusations regarding other aspects of Jesus’ life, primarily wherever there are miraculous events, like the virgin birth, walking on water or healing a man born blind. But, because the death, burial and resurrection are the foundational historical e...
Here is the historical record:
Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards...
We don’t spend much time talking about the seal that was placed upon the tomb, but I think it is significant.
Here is the historical record:
The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Th...
I suppose one could say that it is strange to use these two words together: Easter and pestilence.
One brings to mind the joy of the resurrection morning, angels, choirs singing the Halleluiah Chorus, sanctuaries lined with lilies in bloom, people dressed in their Easter-best, ladies in bonnets, pink ribbons, all smiles and happy days are here again.
The other brings to mind death and pai...
To the volume of wonderful comments on President George H. W. Bush, I wish to add my very small two cents.
Indeed he was a noble man. When people have asked me over the years of my assessment of him, I have always responded with “He was a real gentleman, in every sense of the word.”
There is a reason why so many people, during these days of memorializing President Bush, have c...
[preface]
I suppose this attribute of God is one of the most rejected in our culture, for a people who have self-ascended into their own divinity surely deem themselves immune from judgment. Spurning the notion of transcendent truth, we now get to make up our own. “My Heart” becomes a divine voice and everyone should be obligated to acknowledge it as holy and unassailable. If I w...
[preface]
Seldom do we think of “Jesus” as an attribute of God. But I believe it is profitable to do so and not without good reason. All of the “names” of God present us with an aspect of His character:
-YHWH: the God who is self-existent
-JEHOVA RAPHA: the God who heals
-ADONAI: the Lord
-EL SHADDAI: the God who is all sufficient; almighty
-EL ROI: the...
One of the many skirmishes with the current President, and there are many, is focused on the notion of a free press. Last Thursday over 300 news organizations, in a coordinated effort against the President, published editorials in defense of a free press.
But what in the world is a “free” press?
In the upcoming Engagement small-group series (launches late 2019) we will take so...
