Category: My Thoughts on Things

Here’s where I give some thoughts on passages of scripture, theological topics, or current events from a Christian perspective. Some of these thoughts are topics which I’ve preached about in the past and are now putting here in article form. I hope you find them spiritually helpful.

My Thoughts on the “New Heavens and a New Earth”: Do Some Bible Passages Point to a Literal New Heavens and New Earth?

Some still promote the notion that the saved will dwell for eternity on a literal new earth under literal new heavens.  They do so by pointing to several biblical passages which they interpret to teach that there will be a literal new earth in eternity.  As we close this series of articles on the “new heavens and a new earth,” l’d like to examine each of the passages which I am aware are used to promote this idea.… Read More My Thoughts on the “New Heavens and a New Earth”: Do Some Bible Passages Point to a Literal New Heavens and New Earth?

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My Thoughts on the “New Heavens and a New Earth”: Is the Phrase Literal or Figurative?

There are those who take Peter literally.  After this planet and universe are destroyed, a literally new universe and new planet – new heavens and a new earth – will take their place and the saved will dwell on that new earth. There are others who look at Peter’s words in a figurative sense.  They say that the new heavens and a new earth are not meant to be taken literally, but rather are figurative language describing Christians spending eternity in heaven with God. Which view is the correct view?… Read More My Thoughts on the “New Heavens and a New Earth”: Is the Phrase Literal or Figurative?

Jon Mitchell3 Comments

My Thoughts on Government and the Taking of Life (2): War

John the Baptizer found himself preaching to a crowd of people which included some soldiers (Luke 3:1-14).  The crowds had been asking the prophet, “What then shall we do?”  The soldiers joined in, “And we, what shall we do?”  It must be noted that John did not tell them to abandon their profession of soldiering even though he had a clear opportunity to do so if being a soldier was inherently sinful due to their required use of violence in war.  Rather, he told them only to “not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages” (Luke 3:14). … Read More My Thoughts on Government and the Taking of Life (2): War

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My Thoughts on Government and the Taking of Life (1): Capital Punishment and Corporal Punishment

The question of whether governmental corporal punishment (such as flogging, caning, or putting someone in the stocks) and capital punishment (the death penalty by various means of execution such as lethal injection, hanging, or firing squad) is morally and biblically right exists in the minds of many, and understandably so. Let’s examine this question from a biblical perspective.… Read More My Thoughts on Government and the Taking of Life (1): Capital Punishment and Corporal Punishment

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My Thoughts on Luke 1:31-33

I love Christmastime because so many in our culture think a lot about Jesus during this time.  While the actual holiday of Christmas nor the actual birth date of Jesus are not found in the Bible, nonetheless most of us think about Him and His birth these days.  So if you are one who thinks a lot about a little baby in a manger in Bethlehem during this month, I encourage you to take some time to also think about what Gabriel said to Mary that her boy would become.  Mary’s son – God’s Son – is currently King of kings and Lord of lords, reigning over His church.… Read More My Thoughts on Luke 1:31-33

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My Thoughts on Giving

When one gives to God’s church “according to their ability, and beyond their ability…of their own accord,” “bountifully,” “as he has purposed in his heart,” “not grudgingly or under compulsion,” but rather with a “cheerful” attitude (2 Cor. 8:3; 9:6-7), is that not offering honor to God (proskueneo)?  Is it not revering God (sebazomai)?  Is it not serving God (latreuo)?  Is it not acting piously towards God (eusebeo)?  The obvious answer to these rhetorical questions is “Yes,” especially when one considers that in giving Jesus wants us to “first give (ourselves) to the Lord” (2 Cor. 8:5).… Read More My Thoughts on Giving

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