Notes On James' Life Journey

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(The angel said) “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen.”-Luke 24:5-6 “Christianity has died many times and risen again; for it has a God who knows the way out of the grave.”-G.K. Chesterton (1) Whether adorning a majestic church spire or dangling from a necklace, the Cross is the universally recognized symbol of the Christian faith, and for good reason. We look back on the cross with awe and reverence, recalling the unmeasurable depths of God’s love paying the ultimate price to reconcile us to Him (2). The great preacher Charles Spurgeon puts it beautifully: “We will by faith put ourselves at the foot of the little knoll of Calvary. There we see in the center between two thieves the Son of God made flesh, nailed by His hands and feet, and dying in an anguish that words cannot portray. Look steadfastly and devoutly, gazing through your tears…I will ask you first to smite your breasts, as you remember that you see in Him your own sins…Then see the g...

A number of years ago, I saw a sign on a church marquee which read “Salvation is free, because God paid so dearly for it.” This central truth, although believed by all Christians, is one which we all too often take for granted. When you think of the Cross, what comes to your mind? In our contemporary society, this most sacred symbol is often regarded as a trinket or a good luck charm. Even much of our great Christian art paints a very “sterilized” picture of what Jesus went through for us. In this study, I would like for us to examine the events of Jesus’ sacrifice for us, including a detailed look at His crucifixion. I warn you that what you are about to read is very graphic, even gory. However, once you have finished reading it, I hope that you will be able to say along with the Apostle Paul: “…God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 6:14). Everything about Jesus’ death was very deliberate. He did not die as a victim. No one took Hi...

Calvinism or Arminianism?</b></A><p> The debate between <A HREF=" http://gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/arminian.stm "target="_blank"><b>Arminianism</a></b> <A HREF=""target="_blank"><b></a></b> and <A HREF=" http://www.spurgeon.org/calvinis.htm "target="_blank"><b>Calvinism</a></b> , which concerns God's soverienty and man's free will, is one of the most devisive in the church today. Rather than being an honest, respectful dialogue among brethren, this debate has led to an unhealthy compartmentalization within the Body of Christ. Sadly, this has resulted in much vital truth being buried and neglected. <p> The Calvinist understanding of predestination stems from their emphasis on God's sovereignty, and the fact that He alone is the basis for our salvation. A key text in Calvinist doctrine is "Salvation is of the Lord...

Is reincarnation biblical? No, reincarnation cannot be reconciled with the Bible or the Christian faith in any way. Rather, it is a concept which comes from ancient Hindu texts such as the Upishads. At its core is the law of  karma , which teaches that we are rewarded or punished in future lives for the good or bad deeds we do in this life. Eventually the soul becomes "purified" and enters a vague state of bliss or Nirvana, which is often interpreted to mean that it simply ceases to exist. This is in stark contrast to the Bible's teaching. Our human identity begins when God forms us in our mothers' wombs (Isaiah 44:2; 49:1; Jeremiah 1:5). Once this life is over, then "it is appointed for men  once  to die, but  after this  the judgement" (Hebrews 9:27). Biblical Christianity centers on the once-and-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins (Hebrews 10:10-14, Romans 6:10, 1 Peter 3:18, Hebrews 7:27, 9:12, 9:26-28). Reincarnation offers a false hope ...

It is true that the Bible tells us to dress modestly and that our true beauty comes from within, not from outward ornamentation (1 Timothy 2:9). But these verses are not saying that nice clothes, jewelry etc. are sinful in themselves. Keep in mind that Jesus wore a seamless robe, which was a very costly garment (John 19: 23-24). When Joseph went to meet with the Pharoah, he recognized that the proper ettiquette involved dressing in a respectful manner (Genesis 41:14). Furthermore, Proverbs 31:22 describes the godly, virtuous woman as wearing clothing of silk and purple. Those who claim that women should not wear pants base their concerns on Deuteronomy 22:5: "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God" The principle certainly applies in that a man should look like a man and a woman should look like a woman, but keep in mind that in Bible days me...