From the perspective of Edwards and Spurgeon, the depths of hell are inversely proportionate to the heights of Heaven, as an all-powerful God gives eternal life to both the saved and the damned.
Category: Inspiration
Inspiration: If Aristotle Was Right, What Can Make Us Happy?
Sometime in the 4th Century BC, Aristotle wrote Nicomachean Ethics. The broad question of the book is how to achieve happiness.
Of Freedom and Squeaky Wheels
If anyone had an excuse to complain it would have been Him because being God, He had the unusual position of always being right.
The Comfortable Curtain of Christianity: Reflections on the Maturation of Faith
My easily excited cousin, also a pastor’s son, would climb on the outdoor wall of the church and sing improvisational reggae in a Jamaican accent to the passerby, while dancing a little jig, repeating “Come to our church and be baptized! Be baptized in the name of the Lord!” Strangers would stare, but we would duck and hide,
Give Bigotry No Sanction: George Washington Letter To Synagogue to Be Displayed
U.S. President George Washington traveled to Newport, Rhode Island where he met with the congregation at the Touro Synagogue. While there, the leader of the congregation, Moses Seixas, handed Washington a letter that noted past persecution and expressed hope that liberty of conscience would prevail in the new nation.
Smelling an Old Man’s Feet: Reflections on Footwashing, the Ordinance of Humility
By Martin Surridge – While the state of some feet and certain odors might not be too pleasant, some are downright ugly; the ritual itself is incredibly beautiful. I am reminded of both Christ washing our sins away and the spiritual importance of serving the elderly and helping others. It makes me sad when I see how many people skip out on this opportunity because of feelings of embarrassment. I won’t argue that the process isn’t uncomfortable; however, there is incredible value in such discomfort. Following the words of Christ—turning the other cheek, loving our enemies, rejecting the ways of the world—are not supposed to be easy instructions.
Five Lessons on Loving Your Enemies
By Jason Hines – Because of situations in my own life I have been repeatedly returning to the concept of loving your enemies. I have wrestled with this issue publicly (I have preached a sermon on this subject twice) and at times in this space, but I have yet to share here my spiritual thoughts…
Op-Ed: What is a Christian Nation?
I think we have to start at the most basic point – what do we mean when we say “Christian nation?” Part of what makes the notion of a Christian nation unworkable is that I don’t think Christians in America (or anywhere else for that matter) could ever agree on what a Christian nation should be. If Christians can’t agree on what it is, how could the ever actualize it? In some of the comments on left on the Facebook page, some have noted that a Christian nation is impossible because of Christ’s statement that his kingdom is not of this world. (John 18:35-37) While this argument has merit, I mention it only to make the point that it would be hard to actualize a Christian nation if you had a contingent of Christians saying that having a nation is against the very premise of Christianity. In order to address the idea of what a Christian nation is, we have to define both what a nation is and what it means to be Christian.
U.S. Senator Lieberman Describes Sabbath Observance in New Book
Senator Joseph Lieberman, Independent-Democrat of Connecticut and former vice presidential candidate describes his observance of the Sabbath in his new book entitled, “The Gift of Rest.” Description: The Sabbath is a gift that Senator Joe Lieberman, as an observant Jew, received from his parents who, in turn, received it from their parents, who received it…
The Story of a Life by Lincoln Steed (Liberty Magazine)
EXCERPT: Charles Dickens began one of his essentially autobiographical tales by wondering aloud if he would prove to be the hero of his own life. Reality is so dynamic and changeable it is hard for anyone to know where their actions will lead them, or how they will bear up to the challenges of the…