Is a Late Canon Bad News for Bible-Believers?
Canon comes from a Greek word meaning “rule” or “standard.” Christians use the word canon to describe the authoritative books which make up our Bible. These books are our rule and standard. To review from the previous article, we don’t find all 27 books being labeled by the church as the definitive New Testament until […]
Making Sense of the Gap between the Writing of the NT and Its Compilation
The 27 books of the New Testament were all written sometime in the 1st century AD. But when were all these 27 books first compiled into what we now call the New Testament? That’s a different question entirely. Were all 27 books compiled together in the 1st Century, when the books were written? No. How […]
Changing Times: Part 3 of a Conversation with Bob Russell
*Editor’s Note: Brett Seybold recently sat down with Bob Russell to talk about the state of the American church in light of current events and trends. This is part 3 of that conversation. Here’s Part 1 and Part 2. Q. Most pastors are accustomed to being seen as the good guys in society. They’re the […]
Ditches to Avoid – Part 2 of a Conversation with Bob Russell
*Editor’s Note: Brett Seybold recently sat down with Bob Russell to talk about the state of the American church in light of current events and trends. This is part 2 of that conversation. Here’s Part 1 and Part 3. Q. In an election year, how can pastors keep Jesus the central figure for their congregations […]
Racial Reconciliation & Church Unity – Part 1 of a Conversation with Bob Russell
*Editor’s Note: Brett Seybold recently sat down with Bob Russell to talk about the state of the American church in light of current events and trends. This is part 1 of that conversation. Here’s Part 2 and Part 3. Q. Although the church should be the place the world looks to in order to find […]
Uncertainty: Just What We Should Expect
Uncertainty isn’t the same as unfaithfulness. Far from it! You are going to face tough questions about your faith. And even though you can find solid evidence for your faith, you aren’t going to find certainty. But is that really a problem? Deuteronomy 29:29 tells us, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, […]
Uncertainty Isn’t Your Enemy
Rhett McLaughlin, half of the comedy duo Rhett and Link, wasn’t laughing much on February 9’s episode of their show “Ear Biscuits.” The topic was McLaughlin’s “spiritual deconstruction,” as he went public with how he had lost his faith in Jesus. The story was uncomfortable for him to tell and obviously agonizing for him to […]
New Testament Creeds: A Strong Case for the Gospels
The New Testament does not quote only from the Old Testament. It also quotes pre-New Testament creeds which describe early Christian doctrine. Scholars recognize several of these creedal passages.[1] All creedal material embedded in the New Testament predates the texts within which it finds itself. The author uses these creeds for a couple reasons: first, […]
