Why’s it so tough to take a risk on other people? How do you know whether or not to take a risk in relationship with someone who has let you down before? These and other questions were addressed in the message this past Sunday. Check the outline and the video below! ACTS 9:26-31“26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join … Read More
21 Myths: Jesus is Just a Legend
One way or another people sometimes make this claim while trying to deny the historicity of Jesus and the resurrection. It was just a legend. Jesus died and then legends about him arose later, and that was where we get the gospels and Paul’s letters. The problem with this is that we have eyewitnesses reports (that go back to the … Read More
21 Myths: The Gospels Contradict Each Other
This is one of the favorite myths put forth by atheists and skeptics. The fact is no formal historian would agree that the gospels contradict each other. They would say that there may be some disagreement on peripheral details between the gospel accounts, but the core facts are in clear agreement with each other. For example, in 1912, when the … Read More
21 Myths: Jesus’ Resurrection is all the Resurrection There Is
A lot of Christians in the 21st century, it seems, have lost touch with the ancient, New Testament idea of the resurrection. Many Christians are mystified by the teaching of the New Testament about resurrection, assuming that arriving in spirit in heaven is the end of blessed existence.However, ancient Judaism (Jesus and the apostles and much of the earliest church … Read More
21 Myths: There are Other Gospels
CNN loves to talk about them. National Geographic has spilled plenty of ink covering them. They are the darlings of the media whenever they turn up somehow and especially when they tell any kind of story or say anything that directly casts doubt on any of the four canonical gospels. They also stir up plenty of money for those who … Read More
21 Myths: Jesus of Faith, Not of History
Myth: The Bible gives us theological insights about Jesus, but not historical ones. Some people are interested in the Jesus’ religious ideas, but deny that the Bible provides, or even intends to provide, any historical accounts about him. Are they right? Is the Bible meant to be taken seriously as a historical description of Jesus’ life and ministry? I would … Read More
21 Myths: Jesus Wasn’t Divine
So far in this series, I’ve dealt primarily with two different kinds of myths about Jesus. Secular myths–like that Jesus didn’t actually rise from the dead or that he is in agreement with other world religious teachers. I’ve also dealt with myths started by Christians–like that Jesus wants his followers to be rich or that he was an only child. … Read More
21 Myths: Jesus was an Only Child
OK, OK. I know that this is one of those myths made up and perpetuated by the Roman Catholic Church. I’m not normally one to criticize Catholics. I believe that we both believe in Jesus and in his resurrection and that is the basis of our fellowship and why I joyfully call practicing, believing Catholics my spiritual brothers and sisters.The … Read More
21 Myths: Jesus Wants Me to be Rich
I wish Jesus were simplistic, but he is painstakingly balanced and complex. Simplistic minds and simplistic teachers have created one of the most distorted and deforming myths about Jesus the world has ever told. Particularly driven by American-style consumerism and materialism, some Christians have imagined and proclaimed a Savior who not only wants to take us to heaven, but who … Read More
21 Myths: A Natural Explanation for the “Resurrection”
Maybe you’ve heard or thought a version of this myth– “He never really died, but became conscious and left the tomb.” “His disciples stole the body and fabricated the story of resurrection.” “The disciples had hallucinations about Jesus and that’s where we get the stories of a risen Christ.” “Jesus’ enemies stole his body, and his disciples made it up.” … Read More