CWR Blog
Christianity Without The Religion BLOG hosted by Brad Jersak.
The Cradle and the Cross
Christmas upsets many people because at least once a year they can’t run away from Jesus. When Jesus shows up, things change, the status quo is threatened. It is a time of challenge and confrontation to religion and politics.
The King Who Became a Man – by Greg Albrecht
The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood (John 1:14, The Message).
During his reign (1910-1936) King George V of the United Kingdom and the British Empire visited Leeds, a city in the north of England. When he was informed that a school was situated next to the railway line, King George agreed to have the train slow down so that he could appear on a platform and wave to the children as the royal entourage passed.
When the king came outside the train he wore no outward signs of royalty, but was dressed in a suit, like any other male ...
4 Books Now Available in the “WONDERS” Series
Consider a Christmas gift of a beautiful book in the "Wonders" series.
Beautiful coffee table display books:
Wonders of His Grace, Wonders of His Love, Wonders of His Peace and the latest Wonders of His Word.
Consider all the wonders of God, the beauty of all creation and wonder at how he adorned this earth with his extravagantly exquisite, delightfully amazing created order, reminding us of his undying love. These are beautiful books to display on your coffee table.
Order a copy at www.ptm.org/books or by calling 1-800-309-4466.
Q&R: A Six-Year-Old Wrestles with the Problem of Pain – Brad Jersak
Question:
My 6-year-old fell down the stairs and hit his head, and got a concussion. Before bed tonight, he asked me, "If God is in control, and is powerful, and loves me, then why did he watch me fall and not help me?"
Response:
Your child certainly is a deep thinker! And deep thinkers have been asking that question for a very long time. At least since the philosopher Epicurus (about 300 years before Jesus). And those who try to answer the question always seem to stumble into rationalizations that end up calling good evil and evil good. So I've been ...
Advent: Awaiting Arrivals – by Laura Urista
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
Advent is a time of expectation, anticipation and waiting. Ancient Israel awaited the arrival of a Savior – the Messiah to establish his kingdom of peace. The Magi awaited the arrival of a magnificent star to guide them to the newborn king. Mary awaited the arrival of her son, whom she named Jesus (Savior). Every year at Christmas-time, we await the ...
Reflections Along the Jesus Way
December 3, 2023 - Quote for the Day:
“That was God in that crib amidst the animal sounds and smells in Bethlehem, and that was God on that cross on the garbage dump just outside of Jerusalem. God in a crib – God in human flesh – God in diapers – defenseless, crying and fighting for breath. God on the cross, his flesh pierced and just as he was in his crib – defenseless and fighting for breath. The crib and the cross, carved from the same wood – only God can make a tree.”
Originally published in:
Letters to My Friends
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Is God Crazy, or What?
We don’t give him anything he needs. Yet God is madly in love with us… is he crazy, or what?
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/RCWR460.mp3
The Beginning of the End – by Greg Albrecht
Friend and Partner Letter from December 2023:
Every year we celebrate Christmas in the last week of the last month of the year. Is December 25 the end or the beginning? Are we celebrating the end of a passing year or the beginning of a New Year… or are we celebrating the beginning of the end?
For the past three years we have battled deadly foes, unseen like COVID and visible like the tyrannical Putin of Russia and the unspeakable brutality of war, most particularly in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Dare we hope that December 2023 is the end of some ...
Reflections Along the Jesus Way
November 30, 2023 - Quote for the Day:
“It is my contention – and you may choose to disagree – that legalistic religion has fabricated and invented eternal conscious torment as the way God will punish those who don’t measure up. But in the next breath, after condemning people to eternal conscious torment, Christ-less religion will assure them, ‘But don’t forget, God loves you.’ Think about it: Why is it so important for religion to believe that God loves its followers but wants those who are not members of their church to suffer?
...
How To Be a Successful Failure
The Apollo 13 mission was appropriately dubbed, "a successful failure." Many defining moments in life emerge when we are on the edge of fulfillment, yet denied the thing we most want. Greg shares a biblical example and its lessons for how to be a successful failure.
This Month at PTM – December 2023
Merry Christmas -
Our Family in Christ -
Watch a short video and the message on "Our Family in Christ" by Ed Dunn as he updates us on the latest from Christianity Without the Religion and Plain Truth Ministries.
https://vimeo.com/889617843
Our Image or God’s Substance?
Attempting to create a better impression of ourselves than we deserve is a powerful human temptation. Greg discusses the Biblical story of Ananias and Saphira who tried to create an image of themselves that didn't reflect reality.
Q&R: 2 Chronicles 7 – When is God the Cause?
Question:
It's that time again when everyone brandishes 2 Chronicles 7:12-14! In Bible Study, a questioner honestly admitted NOT quite seeing how God would prevent rain, command locusts to devour the land or send pestilence among the people:
"Why is God so mean and controlling, etc?"
I know you have shared this (maybe A More Christlike God?), but I would love to give her a succinct, Christological answer!
Response:
First, the text in question:
“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a ...
Reflections Along the Jesus Way
November 28, 2023 - Quote for the Day:
“The teaching that God’s love is given to us, without strings attached, free of charge, goes against every human instinct. All other religions – the Jewish old covenant, the Muslim code of law, the Buddhist eightfold path and the Hindu doctrine of karma all offer a way to earn God’s approval by human performance. Authentic, biblically based Christianity is unique in its teachings and beliefs that God’s love is given to us by faith alone, grace alone and Christ alone.”
Originally published in: ...
Pride and Prejudice
C.S. Lewis said that the essential vice, the utmost evil, is pride. Pride and prejudice go together like hand and glove -- both allow us to feel superior to others.
https://www.ptm.org/mp3/FreeDwnld/PTR0079.mp3
Plain Truth Ministries | Box 300 | Pasadena, CA 91129-0300
