In the first chapter of Paul’s amazing letter to the church at Rome, he mentions the phrase, “I am” three times, each with an important significance. The statements escalate to a crescendo in verses 16 and 17, in which we have the theme of the entire epistle: The one way […]
Paul’s inspired instructions regarding marriage in 1 Cor. 7 are influenced by what he calls the “present distress” in verse 26: I think therefore that this is good by reason of the distress that is upon us, namely, that it is good for a man to be as he is. […]
Some have been incorrectly led to believe that while addressing the subject of marriage, divorce and remarriage in 1 Corinthians 7, Paul is merely expressing his own opinions, rather than the inspired commands of God. Is this true? Does Paul “cast off” the guiding hand of the Holy Spirit […]
When we inform people of what the Bible teaches, are we engaging in “hate speech?” For example, if a gospel preacher or Bible class teacher reads Rom. 1:26-27 during a public sermon or class, is he violating restrictions against “hate speech?” That passage reads: “For this cause God gave them […]
Of all the great books out there, the Bible is well worth your time to read and study carefully. It has enriched the lives of millions down through the ages, and continues to encourage and inspire ordinary people to live great lives. What is it about the Bible, that makes […]
What will it be like when we are able to assemble again in person? Will you be comfortable shaking hands like before? Parents, will you be comfortable sending your children into a classroom for their Bible class? Will we sit close together in the auditorium, with nearly every pew […]
The other day I got to thinking about barn painting, and some of the painful lessons I have learned the hard way. There is a spiritual parallel in these, and the more I thought about it, the more I could see how stating these lessons might be of some benefit […]
Although this time of national crises has brought out some of the absolute best in people everywhere, we have seen a few exceptions too. We have seen the news reports of arguments and assaults in grocery stores, and an increase in domestic disputes. We’ve seen the political carping. And we’ve […]
Perhaps the worst thing people can do during a time of national crisis is panic. Fear leads to irrationality, and irrationality leads to violence, chaos and death. One of the most valuable attributes during a time of social unrest is the ability to take a deep breath, close your eyes, […]
On March 13, 2020, President Trump declared a national emergency effective March 1, 2020 due to the COVID-19 (“new coronavirus”) outbreak in the United States. This declaration, and other rapid developments, are having dramatic effects upon our operations and activities here at Central. In addition to our desire to cooperate […]
The Three “I Am’s” Of Romans One