Do We Know What’s a Sin?

What better topic than sin as you draw up your New Year’s resolutions? When trying to avoid sin, it seems to me that two problems commonly arise that are not quite the same thing:  They are close but distinct.  First, we might wonder whether the Bible labels an action sinful at all.  Second, we might … [Read more…]

Was Jimmy Carter a Christian?

Of course he was, but you wouldn’t know from the NBC national news tonight.  That program closed with a segment that the show promised would describe the important life role played by the late president’s deep personal “faith.”  And, to be sure, it did mention”Sunday school” and “God” and even showed briefly a shot of … [Read more…]

Is Christmas a Good Holiday for Christians?

Christmas gets some bad press these days for, especially, its commercialism.  But let’s not miss the forest for the (Christmas) trees:  It’s a great holiday, especially for Christians — and it’s a great way to send the Christian message to everyone else. For starters, how could Christians not celebrate the birth of their Savior?  You … [Read more…]

David Mamet on Jonah

Playwright David Mamet (here) recently had an interesting observation on the Book of Jonah.  His synagogue’s congregation was meditating on the book during the recent Yom Kippur; his insight was triggered by remembering Rush Limbaugh’s observation once that, when you’re arguing with someone intransigent, it isn’t necessarily futile, because some third party might be listening: … [Read more…]