Articles I write for the weekly bulletin of the East Main Church of Christ, the congregation where I preach.
Zechariah’s purpose was to join the prophet Haggai in encouraging the Jews in their efforts to rebuild the temple (Ezra 4:1-5; 5:1-2; 6:14-15). Thus, this first vision’s message was to inform Judah that while everything appeared to be fine with the nations surrounding them, God would bring judgment on them while showing mercy to Jerusalem.… Read More Zechariah: Comfort From The Lord (The First Vision)
God wanted the Jews of Zechariah’s day to remember the calamities that had fallen upon their parents and grandparents. He wanted them to not make the same mistakes by remembering that God’s statutes and commands had “overtaken” their ancestors in the sense that they had been severely punished for their disobedience to God’s will.… Read More Zechariah: Repent and Return to God
The book of Zechariah is one of the most difficult books in the Old Testament to study and interpret. One of the reasons is due to the highly symbolic, apocalyptic style in which it is written. Any study of Zechariah should certainly be done with prayer and humility, and it is my hope that these next few articles will be of some help to you, the reader, in your efforts to become more familiar with this section of Scripture.… Read More Zechariah: Introductory Thoughts
In light of passages like James 5:19-20, it amazes me that anyone could believe the Calvinistic teaching that once salvation is obtained it could never be lost regardless of one’s obedience and faithfulness to God. He’s writing to Christians, and in doing so clearly gives the possibility that “any among you” could “stray from the truth.” It is a Christian whom James describes as a “sinner.” It is a Christian whom James says needs to be turned “from the error of his way.” It is a Christian of whom James says other Christians need to “save his soul from death.” It is a Christian who, as implied by James, needs to repent and thus “cover a multitude of sins.” If it is true that once one is saved, one will always be saved no matter what, then why is this passage in the New Testament?… Read More James: Restoring Christians Who Stray
Hospitals didn’t exist back then. When someone got sick, it was customary for friends or loved ones to visit and treat them. This is a possible meaning of the directive for elders to “anoint” the sick brother “with oil in the name of the Lord” (5:14b).… Read More James: Elders Anointing With Oil and More…
Pre-Denominational Christianity 
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