christianity
Not my will
In the letter to the Hebrews, the Bible says Jesus learned obedience through His suffering [Hebrews 5:8]. That’s a profound statement. I’ve often thought about its implication. How does God learn obedience? The best I can make out is that obedience is a choice, not a character trait. Jesus once described Himself as gentle and …
Being a witness
Whatever being a Christian might mean today, we can be sure its original meaning didn’t refer to someone who goes to church. I say this because Christians existed before churches. If I’m not mistaken, the followers of Jesus were first called “Christians” over a decade after Pentecost. It was a term used by pagans in …
Christians and politics
Many of us identify with a particular political ideology. It determines how we vote and in some cases, becomes part of our identity. In our day of political polarization, anyone who disagrees with our political ideology is the enemy. Therefore, I must make every effort to ensure they don’t get into government or hold positions …
The Gospel: what exactly is it?
You’ve probably heard the term gospel used in Christian circles. It’s often used to describe something we should believe. It’s sometimes described as good news, but what exactly is the gospel and why should anyone care? I am a logical person, often to a fault as my wife tells me. So, I struggle to believe …
Are you bearing fruit?
I was reflecting on the parable of the sower recently and it occurred to me that I subconsciously assumed I was among the fruit-bearing seeds. Reflecting further, I had to ask myself: “how much does the evidence support that assumption?” In this parable, Jesus describes a farmer who went out to sow seeds. Some of …
How to become a Christian
Firstly, don’t be put off Jesus by Christians. Many of us are so woeful at imitating Jesus that we’ve soiled His reputation. Jesus has nothing to do with what so many do in His name, and one day, we’ll all answer to Him. We’ve all rebelled against the God who made us and the rest …
What if the first Christmas never happened?
Have you ever wondered how things would be if there was no Christmas? Or put another way, how would life be different for you if the first Christmas never happened? Honestly, it’s a question I never considered until recently. Christmas is the biggest holiday of the year for many and usually, a time most families …
What if it’s God?
When I first heard that a famous American hip-hop artist had become a Christian, I must confess that I was a bit sceptical. My response was similar to that of Gamaliel, a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin in the days of the early church. He once told the Sanhedrin that if the activities …
What does a Christian look like?
During a conversation with a friend, he casually said: “I’m not very Christian.” Puzzled by what he meant, I asked him “what does a Christian look like?” On reflection, I think this is a question Christians and non-Christians alike have asked. Someone who isn’t familiar with Christianity might curiously want to know what makes a …