“But seek first…his righteousness…” Matthew 6:33 / Righteousness

Depending on the translation, the Bible mentions Righteousness between 500-600 times.  It is spoken of in both the Old and the New Testaments.  Scriptures in the Bible continually encourage/admonish us to be “righteous.” “Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor.” [Proverbs 21:21]  Jesus said, “For I tell you, if your uprightness (also … Continue reading “But seek first…his righteousness…” Matthew 6:33 / Righteousness

“Come to me…” Matthew 11:28 / The Invitation

Invitation Suppose you found a cure for cancer, not just one kind of cancer, but all cancers.   With one medication, you could wipe the scourge of cancer from the human experience forever.  Wouldn’t that be wonderful?  I certainly think that it would. And what if you could make the cure available to everyone?  Anyone would … Continue reading “Come to me…” Matthew 11:28 / The Invitation

“Am I my brother’s keeper?” Genesis 4:9 / An Editorial

A Troubling Visit Yesterday, I went to visit a friend who is living out his last days in a nursing home.  My friend is old and sick.  He is tired and confused.  The most disturbing thing about his condition, though, is that his mind is no longer functioning at an adult level.  Due to age … Continue reading “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Genesis 4:9 / An Editorial

Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 1 Corinthians 10:24 / A Prayer

Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hear our prayer.  Oh God, who is above all things, hear our plea. Lord, we come to you to ask that you banish a spiritual crisis that is in our midst.  Mighty God, we’ve fallen into an “It’s all about ME” culture and universal mindset.  We are all guilty … Continue reading Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 1 Corinthians 10:24 / A Prayer

“…no one comes to the Father, but by me…” John14:6 / Afterlife of the Soul, Part I

A Weighty Question What happens to our souls after our death is a question that’s recently been raised by one of our readers.  It’s a question that’s haunted Christianity since the day after Jesus’ resurrection, and it’s still very much with us today. With this week’s post, we’ll begin to explore this question and some … Continue reading “…no one comes to the Father, but by me…” John14:6 / Afterlife of the Soul, Part I

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34 // A Prayer of Thanksgiving

My apologies to all you Exploring Christianity readers!  The last two weeks have been rather hectic, exacerbated by an accident my wife had that resulted in a broken leg.  Needless to say, things other than my posts have taken my attention. This post continues what I hope to be an annual tradition, the  Thanksgiving Prayer.  … Continue reading “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34 // A Prayer of Thanksgiving

“All Scripture is inspired by God…” 2 Timothy 3:16 / Afterlife, Part II

Our Exploring Christianity Post 75 began an exploration of possible answers to the question of, “What happens to our souls after death?” In that post, we had grouped all the dozens (if not hundreds) of differentiated answers to this question into three “schools” of thought: Oblivionists (those who deny any deity or the existence of … Continue reading “All Scripture is inspired by God…” 2 Timothy 3:16 / Afterlife, Part II

“…whoever believes in him (Jesus) shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3”:16 / The Afterlife III

To This Point. This post is the third installment of our exploration into the question of “What happens to our souls after death?”  The first (Post 75, November 16, 2019) opened the question and introduced the Oblivionist, the Scripturalist, and the Universalist schools of thought on this topic.  It also described the Oblivionist position. Post … Continue reading “…whoever believes in him (Jesus) shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3”:16 / The Afterlife III

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you…” Luke 1:35 / The Advent Season

As we approach Christmas this year, I think it appropriate that we explore the season of Advent, that four-week section of the Christian calendar that precedes the birth of Jesus. Advent is a time of preparation and expectation.  Fall is gone, and Winter is just beginning.  The days are becoming shorter, and night seems to … Continue reading “The Holy Spirit will come upon you…” Luke 1:35 / The Advent Season

“…whoever…believes him who sent me has eternal life and…has crossed over from death to life.” John 5:24 / The Afterlife IV

Universalists For the past few weeks, we’ve been exploring the question, “What happens to our souls after death?”  In posts 75, 77, and 78, we identified the three “schools of thought” regarding this topic and discussed the first two, the Obivlionist and the Scripturalist schools.  This week we’ll explore the Universalist school and how it … Continue reading “…whoever…believes him who sent me has eternal life and…has crossed over from death to life.” John 5:24 / The Afterlife IV