Three Challenges

There are three challenges that a Christian faces:  (1) maintaining his faith in God; (2) figuring out what God wants us to do; and (3) doing it.  Different people might find different challenges most difficult; we all may face any of them from time to time; and of course it’s not just the committed Christian … [Read more…]

How Should You “Cultivate Faith”?

I’ve noted elsewhere on this site (see especially “Why I Am a Christian (and You Should Be, Too), in 600 Words”) my take on Pascal’s Wager as pressing Christians to cultivate the faith they choose to declare.  That is, one doesn’t just say, okay, I believe, and then forget about it; one must act accordingly … [Read more…]

What Triggers “Adoration”?

I like the categorization of prayer into A-C-T-S:  that is, adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication.  Every night, I run through that list and try to recall events of the day that fit into each box. I’ll admit, though, that the first category is the trickiest, especially since it’s very easy to say you adore God … [Read more…]

Another Poem

Theolimerick   A polymath Frenchman named Blaise Said the wise thing to give God is praise. “If you’re right, you’re all set; If you’re wrong, no big fret; But if wrong when you dis Him — the blaze!”

A Poem

Son   His science project’s home is here; Its title is, “The Bean.” Heliotropically, ten plants veer, Then toward the window lean.   Back to the desk my gaze then goes And finds a truth I’ll limn: His confirmation picture shows I’m leaning, too, toward him.

Before You Read the Bible: A Preliminary Decalogue

If you have decided that you want to read the Bible, and have never looked at it before, here are ten things to keep in mind. 1. The Bible is not just one book but 66 books, of greatly varying length, 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament.  More than three-fourths … [Read more…]

Random Textual Thoughts

1. All Scripture is Scripture, but it’s interesting to think about the differences among the authors’ backgrounds and how that might influence their writing.  For example, consider the range of education among the various New Testament authors, with Paul and Dr. Luke at one end, and maybe fishermen Peter and John at the other.  I’ve … [Read more…]

“Pasquale in the Alley”

That’s the title I gave to this piece I wrote for National Review Online (posted April 2, 2007).  Here it is: Pasquale in the Alley Religion in black and white. By Roger Clegg — April 2, 2007 Pasquale was the smartest guy I knew, so when I had my doubts, I went to him. He … [Read more…]

Another “Genre” Angle

At a Bible study meeting, someone commented on how “packed” Paul’s letters were.  That got me to thinking how the circumstances under which something is written might influence both style and content. A letter written with time constraints (and maybe material ones, like a shortage of affordable paper) and for some specific crisis would indeed … [Read more…]

A Flipside to Pascal’s Wager?

If you believe in good and evil, if you believe that your existence has purpose — then you believe in God.  So the Christian outcome is not only a reason to believe; if you believe, then the outcome must also be true.