Few would disagree that the church (in the larger sense of the word) is in doctrinal crisis today. Anyone my age or older knows that denominational designations used to mean something. Baptist churches were Baptist in doctrine, Methodist churches were Methodist in their doctrine, and Presbyterian churches were Presbyterian in doctrine. About 40 years ago, when churches first started removing the denominational designation from their names, the "old codgers" warned that the name goes first, the doctrine later. The "agents of change" [...]

Paul wrote some encouraging words to the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 1:10- And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. The believers that made the Thessalonian church were converts to Judaism long before meeting Paul, and became not only faithful Jews but also gloriously saved "Messianic Jews" after meeting Paul. Long before meeting Paul they "turned to God from idols to serve the living and true [...]

For an earlier post on common mistakes when interpreting parables, click here. The more I've studied New Testament parables, the more I am convinced of one thing: they are all about the same subject. That's right: parables in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are all about a singular subject. Every. Single. One. In fact, I'm so convinced of this that if I find a parable that is not about this subject, then I'm convinced I'm not reading a parable at all. Sadly, I spent many [...]

A parable is a story or that could be true but the truth of the story is not the point. A parable has a truth about the work of God that is hidden from view and requires interpretation. The Bible is filled with parables. When we think of them, we mostly think of the parables of Jesus. However, Ezekiel was instructed to tell or display parables many times, and they are also found throughout the Bible. Nathan's story of the pet lamb [...]