"Are Christians allowed to laugh, have fun and enjoy life?" When discussing my faith with others, this issue comes up frequently from Christians and non-Christians alike. When I was first introduced to the Gospel as a teenager, I asked it myself, and with good reason. To be sure, the call to follow Jesus is a very serious and sober one, commanding us to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him, even if it means laying down our very lives (Matthew 10:39; John 12:25). But the next question deals with how we apply this commitment to our lives on a day-to-day basis. Does Jesus' call to self-denial and holiness mean that we cannot enjoy even the legitimate pleasures of life? I don't think so. Laughter is one of the most primal responses human beings are capable of experiencing. Philosophers and psychologists have long sought to understand its complexities on emotional and physical levels. Journalist Norman Cousins credited the healing power of laughter to his rec...
The holidays are here, and not a moment too soon. Although the season has vastly different meanings to different people, it provides us with an opportunity to end the year on a much needed "up" note that appeals to our highest ideals. However, as usual, there is also the usual saber rattling about the proper greetings and semantics to use in our celebrations. This, of course, defeats the entire purpose. The title of this blog post was chosen very deliberately. As my friends know, I am a Christian with very conservative theological and social views. Yet I have no problem whatsoever with the expression "Happy Holidays." The expression was in use long before it ever became controversial. It simply acknowledges that there are a number of festivals observed between Thanksgiving and New Years. Which, if any, of them a person may celebrate is their decision. At the same time, those who think "Happy Holidays" is a completely secular alternative to the...
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 ...
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