Free Republic

Thanks for joining us to briefly explore what the New Testament says about Heaven. Last week (Vol. 95), we examined the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) and its focus on God as the Almighty and glorious Creator of Heaven(s). Today, in the New Testament gospels, Jesus confirms His Father’s Heavenly presence and how to gain admittance. Then, the New Testament writers expound upon Heaven through their belief in Jesus. And, in Revelation, we read about the “New Heaven” with its apocalyptic and symbolic future visions. While researching this popular destination, I found a helpful commentary by Pastor David Jeremiah titled “What...

For a Christian, whether or not to do, abstain from, or believe something typically revolves around one basic question: What would Jesus do? Loving God and our neighbor, treating others as we would want to be treated, helping the poor, the widowed, and the sick - these are all key principles taught by the Son of God as laid out in the four Gospels that begin the New Testament, and typically forms the foundation of Christian thought and belief no matter how politically liberal or conservative an adherent is. A more liberal Christian might focus on those more positive aspects...

Thanks for joining us this Labor Day weekend as we study what Scripture says about work. Let’s begin at the beginning with the Creation story — the first time “work” is mentioned in the Bible: “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done” (Genesis 2:2-3). In the process of “creating,” God created work which had to be “very good”...

Thanks for joining us as we conclude our two-part series on prayer. Last week we discussed “Prayer in the Hebrew Bible” and today, the New Testament. Jesus taught his disciples the do’s and don’ts of prayer in Matthew 6:5-9. He discouraged “show-off praying,” saying, “ ‘And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others.’ ” Instead, Jesus encouraged private prayer: “‘But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then...

Thanks for joining us as we study one of my favorite Bible verses written by St. Paul. It is a formidable passage that appears in 2 Corinthians 12:10: “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” However, likely only those who believe in the comforting and healing power of Jesus Christ will benefit from and be inspired by Paul’s poignant testimony. In his magnificent poetic style, Paul conveys why we must trust in Jesus when we are suffering. But first, I will explain why this weak/strong verse ranks high among my favorites and can be a powerful self-help mantra...

Thanks for joining our study as we celebrate Independence Day with Bible verses referencing liberty and freedom. Those were the foundational principles upon which our nation was birthed, compelling the Founding Fathers to declare independence from what was then the world’s leading military power. The Founders wrote that such a declaration required “firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence,” and were motivated by a bold, revolutionary idea. Whereas traditionally, human rights emanated from kings, in the new nation, rights were derived from God. Thus, the phrase “endowed by their Creator” is famously part of the Declaration of Independence: “We...

Much of Howard’s "magic" came from his ability to create emotional sincerity through the hatreds and bloodlust of characters like Conan the Barbarian.In an introduction to Frank Miller’s groundbreaking run on Batman, the nastiest version yet and the inspiration behind Christian Bale’s demonic portrayal, comic legend Alan Moore noted how new sensibilities exposed the politically incorrect flaws of superheroes. James Bond, Moore wrote, was an alcoholic burn-out and obvious hater of women despite, or maybe because of, his bed-hopping. Tarzan, according to Moore, was a white supremacist and by realistic standards would have no compunction about engaging in cannibalism. Given...