Month: December 2023

Paul’s Epistles: Heavenly Inheritance and Godly Adoption

December 28, 2023

The five pillars of literature are sovereignty, authority, law, sanctions, and succession/inheritance. Greek, Roman, and Christian literature address those points. Paul’s epistles are no exception. In the epistles, sovereignty, authority, law, and sanctions are relatively straightforward. Jesus is sovereign, He has authority over all the earth, the law is stated in the Bible, and the … More Paul’s Epistles: Heavenly Inheritance and Godly Adoption

Procopius on Emperor Justinian

December 26, 2023

Emperor Justinian ruled the Byzantine Empire. An economic shift started when Constantine built Constantinople. Gradually, Rome’s power dwindled. When Odoacer conquered the city of Rome—the former military capital of the world—the entire earth shook. Powers shifted and Constantinople led the remaining Eastern Roman Empire, what’s commonly referred to as the Byzantine Empire. Justinian is the … More Procopius on Emperor Justinian

Islam and the Koran

December 21, 2023

Islam was a religion created by Mohammad (c. 571-632). Before preaching Islam in the Middle East, Mohammad was a camel driver and part-owner of a caravan in modern Saudi Arabia. By his 40s, he stayed in a cave outside Mecca, where the angel Gabriel allegedly appeared to him. Gabriel commanded Mohammad to preach the truth … More Islam and the Koran

The Acts of the Apostles

December 19, 2023

The Acts of the Apostles chronicles the church’s expansion after Christ’s ascension. The apostles ramped up their ministry after Jesus gave them the Holy Ghost, and the church grew exponentially. Stephen was among the first deacons, and the Jewish leaders martyred him for speaking the truth. Saul was an unrelenting church persecutor, but he was … More The Acts of the Apostles

‘Passion and Purity’ by Elizabeth Elliot

December 18, 2023

Passion and Purity is a book dealing with the passionate torments plaguing adults and adolescent children. Elizabeth Elliot wrote it, journaling the mistakes and successes in her relationship with the missionary Jim Elliot. As anyone growing up, she went through periods of heartache and sadness, joy and relief. The book doesn’t elaborate on detailed instructions … More ‘Passion and Purity’ by Elizabeth Elliot

English Missions—Converting the Anglo-Saxons

December 13, 2023

            England became a central Christian sponsor. The London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) was written in England. They also led the abolitionist movement during the 1800s and sent out many missionaries throughout the ages. However, England wasn’t always Christian. It embraced paganism during the barbarian Middle Ages. The church’s unrelenting work resulted in successful … More English Missions—Converting the Anglo-Saxons

Carolingian Renaissance

December 13, 2023

            The Carolingian Renaissance lasted through the reign of Emperor Charlemagne and his son, King Louis the Pious. It was a cultural movement among the Franks to elevate them into a civilized culture. Their barbarian heritage haunted them, and the Carolingian Renaissance was a self-conscious cultural ploy. It attempted to Romanize the Franks and preserve … More Carolingian Renaissance

Jesus’ Division with the Pharisees—Mark, Pt. 2

December 12, 2023

The Gospel of Mark is a fascinating book. Of the four Gospels in the Bible, it’s the shortest, delving into Jesus’ ministry immediately. In some ways, Mark is stylistically the opposite of John in that Mark is short, concise, and directly to the point. In contrast, the author of John elaborates on theologically rich substance … More Jesus’ Division with the Pharisees—Mark, Pt. 2

The Dirty Little Secret Colleges Won’t Tell You

December 11, 2023

Many people worry about the rising costs of obtaining a college degree, a problem that’s largely aided by the student loan industry. The worries are real. When foreign labor enters the picture, the problem gets worse. Americans who spent $100,000 on a degree can compete with cheaper foreign labor. Often, the foreign competition has degrees … More The Dirty Little Secret Colleges Won’t Tell You