Weakness Through Eastern Eyes — Three times I implored the Lord that it might depart from me, and he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you; for power is perfected in weakness.” Biblical weakness is an often misunderstood concept in Western Christendom. In the East, including the regions in which the Scriptures were…

What Was Sticking in Paul‘s Flesh? — A thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of the Accuser, so that he might knock me about, that I might not be excessively exalted. Three times I begged the Lord that it might go away, and he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you…

What the first-ever record of spiritual giftedness has to show us. — by Colin MacIntyre In Exodus 31, some time after Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, God speaks to Moses. Grandly, He tells him that a number of people have been called out for a special purpose: See, I have called by name Bezalel… And I have filled him with the spirit of…

Finding Connections for Elijah, John, and Jesus — by Curtis Hefner In a previous article, I introduced the concept of remez: a hint to a broader context that relies on the ability of the listener to make associative connections between words and concepts. …

You have influence — it makes a difference whether you know it and know how to use it. — Lately, I have noticed advertisements from life coaches popping up frequently. Maybe you have, too? They typically say something like, “You need this before you’re ready to do that” — whatever that may be. The goal is to make you believe that before you start something, you need a product…

And Other Hilarious Measurements — I once asked a friend how his brother was doing. He told me, “Well, he’s attempting to get nearer to Christ. But, you know, like me, he’s not quite there yet.” At the time I didn’t know what to say to that, but, in the madness of hindsight it struck…

What I am about to tell is a true story, something that happened to me. Then I will talk about how it got to that point, including the methods my abuser used to groom and silence his victims. This is one of several similar encounters I had with a man…

What should we do with the Bible? — (Updated September 10, 2021) For a teacher to place him or herself in the shoes of a biblical author is as difficult as it is exhilarating. …

Getting used to the world’s most enigmatic literature—the Bible. — (Updated August 2, 2021)