Understanding Chosen Friendship in Simple Terms What Does Friendship Mean in Jesus’ Message? When Jesus talks about friendship in the gospel, he’s using it as a way to help us understand how close and special the relationship is between him and his followers. Friendship here isn’t just about liking someone or spending time together. It’s about being chosen and included…
Simple Reflections on Ethics, Community, and Wisdom from Deuteronomy Let’s be honest: life today can often feel like a competition, a shouting match, or worse—a place where looking out for yourself is the only rule that matters. Sometimes, it seems like everyone is just a little more suspicious, a little quicker to anger, and a little less concerned with the…
Why Their Voices Still Matter Today When you think about the prophets from ancient times, it’s easy to imagine people wandering around, sharing big messages straight from God. But what’s really amazing is how their words kept affecting people, even after the prophets themselves were gone. Their voices didn’t just fade away—they hung around, helping people make sense of life…
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to be drawn to feel-good messages? Messages about blessings, success, and prosperity can be so appealing. And while there’s nothing wrong with wanting good things in life, the truth is, not every message that sounds good aligns with the gospel of Christ. This is why the Bible tells us to “try the…
the enduring words of ancient prophets, provided guidance and hope to communities facing devastation by explaining their hardships within a larger divine plan, and offering a renewed covenant with God. Their messages, preserved in writing alongside the Torah, enabled successive generations to engage with and understand God’s promises, fostering, faith and connection beyond the prophets’ lifetime. The Lasting Power of…
Understanding Paul’s Warning in Today’s World Let’s break down what “peddlers of the word” means, especially as the Apostle Paul uses it in the Bible, and see how it might relate to things we’re seeing today. First off, in II Corinthians chapter 2, Paul is defending himself and his ministry. Some people were going around claiming to be teachers of…
Listening Deeper in the Marketplace of Ideas Words have always held a strange alchemy for me—shaping, shifting, and sometimes subverting the world as I know it. In contemplating the “rabble-rousing peddler of the word,” I find myself drawn to the paradox at the heart of our public life: that the greatest change often flows not from policy or force, but…
Understanding the Power—and Peril—of Language in Modern Politics and Religion In today’s world, noisy with opinions and crowded with competing beliefs, the figure of the “rabble-rousing peddler of the word” is more relevant than ever. No longer just a street-corner speaker or a fiery preacher, this character now thrives online, on television, and in every part of our public life.…
Reflections on Second Peter 3:18 in Everyday Words You know, the Bible tells us in Second Peter 3:18 that we should “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” For a long time, I thought this meant I had to do more, try harder, and stack up good deeds. But the more I’ve read and understood, the…
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