What does it look like when we apply the command to love our neighbor as ourselves to a spouse? We are only human but sometimes people treat spouses like they are supposed to fulfill them in a way that only God can. Love will not hold people to impossible standards.
Continue readingAuthor Archives: Michael A. Campbell
The Archetypes of Proverbs
In the first 9 chapters of the book of Proverbs, there are these long speeches from the perspective of or warning about one of four characters. Two of them represent God’s wisdom: The Wise King, and Lady Wisdom, and two of them represent man’s desires: the Wicked Fool, and Folly the Harlot. These character archetypes represent God’s ways vs the world’s ways.
Continue readingWere Adam and Eve Married?
I’ve seen some arguments online against abstinence saying that since Adam and Eve didn’t have a wedding they were fornicating. The bible defines marriage as between a man and a woman but it doesn’t give directives on weddings. Every culture around the world had unique wedding traditions, and God recognizes all of those marriages, even if they have different religions, as long they follow the model of Genesis 1:27 and 2:24 (which is reiterated by Jesus in Matt 19:1-6).
Continue readingSilencing Truth vs Challenging Lies
People who waste time trying to silence someone with a different view, are deceivers rather than bearers of truth. If what someone believes is true then alternative views are not a threat to them because they won’t stand up in light of the truth and so there is no need to silence these other views. These people are just looking to control others rather than persuade them. Persuasion does not happen with fear but with love.
Continue readingGod’s Provision through Generosity
The Torah’s laws ensure sure that everyone in Israel had basic needs like food because it is truly God’s will that no one starves and that everyone is provided for. Jesus teaches this in Matt 6:25-34 and Luke 12:22-34 when saying that God feeds the birds and clothes flowers so he will the same and more for his people. In Matthew 7:7-11 and Luke 11:11-13, Jesus also said that when asking the father in faith for provision, he will provide for us because he loves us just like human fathers and gives an example saying that no father would give their children a stone instead of bread, a snake instead of fish, or a scorpion instead of an egg. In addition, Jesus displays God’s provision when he feeds the 5000 Jewish families (Matt 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:1-15) and the 4000 Gentile families (Matt 15:32-39, Mark 8:1-10).
Continue readingJudging Teaching by Its Fruit
Jesus said to watch out for false teachers and to judge them by their fruit. How are we supposed to do this?
Continue readingChristians and Civil Disobedience
Romans 13:1-7 says to obey the law of the government because the institution of government is God’s, however, does that apply absolutely? Some say Christians must abide by the government no matter what even when it goes against God’s word. Paul, the same guy that wrote Romans 13:1-7 spent a lot of time in prison. He was never arrested for stealing, adultery, or murder, but he was involved in civil disobedience when the leaders challenged his right to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. If the government restricts believers’ right to teach the gospel like Jesus said (Matt 28:18-20) then believers should choose civil disobedience for the kingdom of God. This action is peaceful and done out of love.
Continue readingUnlimited Faith in God’s Word
The Bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Every day our society, culture, and event around the world challenge if God exist or if the bible is true. Is it possible to have faith in any god, let alone the God of Israel from the bible in a fallen, dangerous world, growing ever more secular?
Continue readingIron Rod – Gun Cult Theology
There are some ministries so obsessed with guns that it has become a theological point for them. One, in particular, claimed that the “rod of iron” mentioned in Psalm 2:8-9 and Rev 2:27 is a reference to guns specifically AR-15s. This church leader teaches that Jesus is going to come back with a gun and that his people will use guns to fight the forces of evil, so his members are training for Jesus’ return. They also wear crowns made of bullets in reference to what Jesus says in Rev 3:11, but in context, it is a metaphor for righteousness.
Continue readingThe Faith of Elijah and the Widow
1 Kings chapter 17 illustrates some things about God’s character and his promise of provision, and our role in receiving from him. It is the story of the prophet Elijah and a widow in Zarephath.
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