[Editor’s note: This was published prior to 2021. It is republished here so it can be accessed.-JS] Have you ever been frustrated by your friends or relatives when discussing Bible issues because they hold so strongly to their “faith only” position on salvation? Have you ever wondered how someone can insist their deceased friend is… Read More »
Am I A Christian?
Is it possible there are multitudes of people living in this country who think they are Christians when, in reality, they are not? This is a frightening and serious question. It would take an overwhelming amount of delusion and false information for something like that to happen. But it certainly does. First we have to… Read More »
Three-Eye John
Written language can be difficult to understand. Take a look at the title of this article. I would imagine a few of you know exactly what those words mean. If not, forgive me if I leave you in suspense for a bit. Have you ever stumbled upon someone with a different interpretation of a Bible… Read More »
Why Don’t You Call Your Preacher “Pastor?” (Reverend, Father, or Bishop)
Because no one man can be “the Pastor.” If only my sermons could be as short as that answer! But alas there is usually more to my sermons and there is definitely more to answering this question. At North Second Street, we strive to, “Call Bible things by Bible names and do Bible things in… Read More »
A Case Study In Bible Translations
Preachers and elders are frequently asked, “Which Bible translation should I buy?” To keep it simple, I usually recommend what I call, “The Big Four.” They are the King James, New King James, New American Standard, and English Standard Version of the Bible. This quartet is: available in most stores, reliable, and trustworthy. They are… Read More »
Does My Seven-Year-Old Need Baptism?
“before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted.”-Isaiah 7:12 The importance of this question is matched only by my inability to give it a satisfactory answer. At age seven, I would confidently say, “No.” At eight or nine, most young… Read More »
It Either Is, Or It Ain’t!
From the beginning, Satan has grounded his attack on human souls in an attempt to shake our faith in what God has said. The first recorded words of our accuser were, “Did God actually say?”-Genesis 3:1. What the devil knows is, if he can destroy our trust in God’s revealed will, we have nowhere to… Read More »
What Is Wrong With Playing It Safe?
To properly answer the question in the title, we must adequately examine the consequences of taking any risk based on how severe the penalty for getting it wrong will be. How much harm is there if I “play fast and loose” with my chocolate milk recipe? If I don’t measure the milk and chocolate syrup,… Read More »
Jesus, “Who Is He?”
“I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”-John 8:24 We know we must believe in Jesus, but what must we believe? It’s not quite as simple as you might imagine. The best answer comes from two Scriptures. In Matthew… Read More »
Patriarchy: It’s Not Just Something Gen Z Kids Fight
To woke teenagers everywhere, the patriarchy is something you want to topple. As in, “That’s just something old people say because they are conditioned to accept an evil, slavery-based, male dominated society. Fight the patriarchy, man.” If this makes no sense to you, consider yourself lucky. Speaking of confusing people, every time I bring up… Read More »