The exasperating enigma of existence

By Steve Cornell

The story of humanity has always been a mixture of goodness and evil; love and hate; beauty and cruelty; life and death. Themes of dignity and depravity are relentlessly recurrent in all human cultures– at all times. There are times of deep happiness and peace, but thoughtful people realize know that things [...]

Where to find truth

My mail has been interesting lately. I usually receive three types of letters in response to my columns. Many letters are supportive. “Keep being a voice for truth.” “We appreciate your willingness to be honest and take the heat.” “Don’t be silenced by those who oppose you.” I am grateful for these words of encouragement.

I also [...]

Is the Bible From God?

by Steve Cornell
Sometimes it becomes necessary to restate basic truths. Such a time has come regarding the origin and nature of the Bible. A number of popular authors and speakers (particularly in the Emergent Church strand) are unclear about their commitment to Scripture as God’s Word. At the present moment in the life of the Church, there [...]

Applying Old Testament Law Today

Principlism: An alternative approach to applying the Old Testament Law,
Five steps:
Identify What The Particular Law Meant To The Initial Audience
Identify the historical and literary context of the specific law in question. Were the Israelites on the bank of the Jordan preparing to enter the land (Deuteronomy) when the law was given, or were they at [...]

Afraid of the Bible?

I hold the Christian Scriptures in highest regard. This is why it grieves me to observe increased efforts to attack the credibility of the Bible. On the popular level, these attacks were aimed primarily at the assumed contradiction between the Bible and science. The misguided notion that the Bible requires a certain age for the [...]

How to study and teach the Bible

This chart (By C. Michael Patton) offers a helpful description of the proper path for teaching the bible. For more see: http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/

Using circular reason to defend the Bible

Is it circular reasoning to believe the Bible to be God’s word because it claims for itself to be from God?

If I claim to be an auto mechanic, would you let me repair your car or would you want to validate my claim before letting me under the hood? Most would agree that the claim itself [...]

Is the Bible really from God? Part 3, (Jesus’ view of Scripture)

The truthfulness and reliability of Christianity rests on the person, life and work of Jesus Christ. For deeper consideration of the identity of Jesus, see: http://thinkpoint.wordpress.com/2007/08/18/its-all-about-jesus/
Once the identity of Jesus is understood and accepted, his view of the Scriptures becomes a primary consideration for our understanding of its place in our lives.
III. Jesus [...]

Is the Bible really from God? Part 2

 
My purpose in these posts on the origin of the bible relates to a perceived deficit in some contemporary expressions within the evangelical Church. Some of the most prominent leaders in these expressions have not received careful training in Scripture. As a result, many truths considered basic have been passed over or questioned. Reaffirming these basic truths appears to be [...]

Is the Bible really from God? part 1

Sometimes it becomes necessary to restate the basic truths that many had considered to be clear for years. Such a time has come regarding the origin and nature of the Bible. At the present moment in the life of the Church, there is a definite need to reaffirm with deep conviction and clarity the divine [...]