CWR Blog
Christianity Without The Religion BLOG hosted by Brad Jersak.
Q&R – Does Christ ‘deny us’? with Brad Jersak
Question:
I have a question about Matthew 10:33 and 2 Timothy 2:11-12. Both passages describe Jesus denying us. This seems to be contrary to his nature and contrary to most of the theologians I find myself reading. Yet, I see these statements (among others) that seem to paint Jesus has relatively severe.
My task has been to try and see the self-giving God revealed in Jesus and yet not neglect the hard sayings of Jesus. I’ve actually found the task of Christology to be more difficult than I had imagined.
Response:
Let's start with our shared assumptions,
(1) that the ...
Let the Party Begin
On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine."
"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come."
His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled ...
Focus on Christ – Not on Fear!
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself— nameless,
unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed
efforts to convert retreat into advance" (Franklin Delano Roosevelt, first inaugural address, March 4, 1933)
Weltschmerz—a German word meaning world-pain or world-weariness is used to describe mental depression or apathy caused by comparison of the actual state of the world with an ideal state. Based on the anxiety and concern contained in reports and letters we receive from those we serve, as well as a general condition of weltschmerz in our ...
Prayer – The Steering Wheel or a Spare Tire?
Corrie Ten Boom once asked, "Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?" When she compared prayer to a steering wheel, I'm relatively certain that Corrie Ten Boom didn't know anything about a modern GPS system—the navigational system many people have in their cars today.
As you probably know, GPS stands for Global Positioning System. It's a radio navigation system that allows land, sea and airborne users to determine their exact position. It relies on 24 satellites in orbit above the earth—positioned in such a way that four of them will always be ...
The Trouble With Halloween
Q: I appreciate the ministry of PTM, and the great work you do for the Lord, and I very much enjoy your teaching and advice. I have a question about the holiday of Halloween. In your opinion, is it wrong to dress up in costumes, have a party or give out candy to trick-or-treaters?
A:Some Christians see nothing wrong with Halloween as a time for families to take children, who love to dress up in costumes, into their immediate neighborhood, and, with careful supervision, receive goodies and treats as they go from house to house. Some of these parents avoid witch and ...
Let the Party Begin – by Greg Albrecht
WHEN JESUS WANTED PEOPLE TO
UNDERSTAND GOD'S KINGDOM PRESENCE,
HE USED PARTIES AS A PICTURE
Key Text: The Wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11)
The very idea of any kind of party, any kind of laughter, feasting, light-heartedness and yes, even enjoyment of life itself, is suspect in some religious environments. Our keynote passage does more than just record history, it is inviting you and me to a party, a party that is already in progress! There's important teaching in this passage.
You may have heard one of the take-offs on ...
You and Me and Zacchaeus
If Hollywood made a movie about Zacchaeus, Danny DeVito might be asked to play the role of this short man who made a ton of money. The plot? Jesus loved Zacchaeus even though no one else seemed to.
Contentment – by Greg Albrecht
Friend and Partner Letter from October 2022
If you are like me, you have had the experience of seeing an old friend your own age, whom you have not seen in “forever,” and thinking how old they have become since you last saw them!Meanwhile, we fail to remember we have been seeing our own aging reflection in the bathroom mirror every day. No one likes to get older. Surgical procedures, injections, creams, lotions and diets are sold, promising to restore what has long since gone down the river of life.
Sam went to a new dentist, and as he was in the waiting-r...
Love – No Fear
Religion is all about shame and honor, but real Christianity is about God’s love and grace. There is no fear — no shame — no guilt, in God’s perfect love.
This Month at PTM – October 2022
Immeasurably More:
Watch a short video and message on Ephesians 3 by Ed Dunn as he updates us on the latest from Christianity Without the Religion and Plain Truth Ministries.
https://vimeo.com/750127421
Grace at Church
Grace can happen “at” church — but grace is seldom offered on religious menus. Join us in celebrating the riches of God’s grace.
Q&R: “Let there be light!” Brad Jersak
Question
I have had this nagging question. God said, "Let there be light." But it wasn't the physical light. Somehow, the world was already in a state of darkness & needed Light. I know Light can mean Truth, but what is your understanding?
I just want to grasp a God who Loves versus the god I learned through my church, who hates me for imperfection.
Response
What an excellent question!
Let's start with verse 1 - "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."
John 1:1 reads this verse through the gospel. IN CHRIST, God ...
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