The so-called “Great Commission” includes words that drag around a lot of baggage, words like authority, obey, commandment, and even make disciples. In the context of Christian history, these words can...

“Greet one another with a holy kiss.” This is an early reference to a practice in worship that some love and others loathe: the “passing of the peace.” Regardless of where...

Reflection upon scripture often brings to mind hymns, poetry, or images. As you ponder Psalm 8, is there anything that comes into your consciousness? Two familiar hymns bubble into my spirit:...

The first Creation story in the Bible can be interpreted as God creating order out of chaos by separating things into either/or categories. But what is clear from the text—and from...

In our biblical tradition and ancient Near Eastern traditions that influenced the biblical texts, any large body of water was symbolic of chaos. “In the beginning . . . the earth...

After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples as they gathered together in a locked room. The scripture says that Jesus breathed on them and they received the Holy Spirit, empowering...

There is something special that happens when believers come together in one accord. In Matthew 18:20, Jesus explains that when two or more people gather in his name, he is right...

After the Day of Pentecost, the apostles of Jesus walked in power and authority as a result of being filled with the Holy Spirit. That same Spirit still empowers believers today....

Some have suggested that it is strange to say, “Bless the LORD.” Strange, because how can a mere human bless the omnipotent Creator of the universe? Many would argue God does...

It is simply breathtaking to consider that God created everything. God didn’t use the same pattern when designing the animals of the land and the creatures of the sea. Everything relies...