THE VICE OF GREED

THE VICE OF GREED

The Bible is filled with warnings on greed. Even King Solomon, who acquired a massive quantity of both divine wisdom and wealth, wrote, “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity,” (Ecclesiastes...
EQUALITY IN THE EARLY CHURCH

EQUALITY IN THE EARLY CHURCH

The Christian understanding of the equality of all people finds its origins in the creation account in Genesis 1, where God creates man in his own image. This understanding is furthered in the Pentateuchal code, where God lays down the law for how foreigners should be...
LET ANYONE WITH EARS TO HEAR LISTEN

LET ANYONE WITH EARS TO HEAR LISTEN

Jesus was very much aware of how human nature worked when he said, “Let anyone with ears to hear listen” (Mark 4:9 NRSV). Initially, you might think, “obviously, you have ears to hear, then you can listen.” By that statement, Jesus meant that listening is not usually...
GOD USES THE LOWLY TO SHAME THE WISE

GOD USES THE LOWLY TO SHAME THE WISE

If you look at God’s choice of small nation Israel, of stuttering Moses, of the youngest son David, or of the teenager Mary, then you would see that the people whom God have chosen to portray foolishness and weakness according to human standards. The social standing...
A SHARED LIFE WITH JESUS IS ALSO A SHARED MISSION WITH HIM

A SHARED LIFE WITH JESUS IS ALSO A SHARED MISSION WITH HIM

No one is a follower of Jesus if he has not—in the fullest sense—entered this new life with God. No man can ever share his life with God and remain the same. His life would reflect an overflow of God’s love. God’s love, according to Rauschenbusch, “flow[s] out,...
WHAT GOD SEES IN THE ORDINARY

WHAT GOD SEES IN THE ORDINARY

God’s standards are higher than ours. However, when we examine the way He chooses people for His purpose, you can see how He selects commoners for His purpose. He does not select the elite or the wealthy. As Paul puts it: 26 Consider your own call, brothers and...
“AMATEUR” PROPHETS VS “MATURE” PROPHETS PART 2

“AMATEUR” PROPHETS VS “MATURE” PROPHETS PART 2

Another Biblical character who operated like an amateur prophet is Jonah, who was always in a state of despair. He was angry and wanted to run away from God when he was commissioned to go to Nineveh. When God called him to preach to this city with a group word for the...
“AMATEUR” PROPHETS VS “MATURE” PROPHETS PART 1

“AMATEUR” PROPHETS VS “MATURE” PROPHETS PART 1

It is common to see people desire  a better life. Most believers also sincerely want to reach the world for Jesus Christ. However, these individuals have yet to describe intentionally and in detail what this life and this world would look like. Most people disregard...

RELIGIONLESS CHRISTIANITY

In his uncensored letters from prison to his friend Eberhard Bethge,  Deitrich Bonhoeffer asks him, “Who is Christ for us today—really?” This question poses the same wakeup call for today’s believers. How is Jesus represented in the marketplace? How is he introduced...
THE WIDENESS OF LISTENING

THE WIDENESS OF LISTENING

Even when you are not speaking, you are speaking. As Christ’s follower, you must know that your action or inaction in the face of oppression, corruption, and abuse in society will speak volumes not just about who you are, but about Jesus Christ. Even when you are not...