Why would the creator of the universe choose to rule the world through the babbling cries of needy humans?
“He is the creator of the universe who became a small, weak, and dependent baby. He carried out his mission with the outcasts of society, was vilified by powerful religious and governing authorities, and entrusted himself to God as he died with a crown of thorns on his head. Though his death looked like the enemy had won, it was only temporary. Death did not stop him.”
When we find it difficult to trust God in the darkest moments of our stories, we are invited to follow the example of the psalmists, who expressed their deepest feelings to God while in exile. In the book of Psalms, we’re invited to come to God with our pain and find hope.
7 min read | Character of God • Exodus 34:6-7 • sin
Is the God of the Bible an Angry God?
If we take a close look at the biblical stories about God’s anger, we find a more complex and nuanced picture of God's anger than we might assume.
“God’s anger is no joke, and it understandably makes us uncomfortable. In fact, God’s anger is one of the main reasons people state for not liking the God of the Bible. But if we take a closer look at the biblical stories about God’s anger, we will find a more complex and nuanced picture than we might assume.”
Why did Jesus’ resurrection take place three days after his death? Is this just a random, inconsequential detail tacked on to the resurrection? Or is there significance to this timeline? Let’s explore what the “third day” means in the Bible.
““Jesus was adamant about the third day because it represents God’s initiative in creating new life and establishing covenant with humanity.””
While we as Jesus followers might feel “closest” to the New Testament audiences, the original recipients of these letters or epistles and epistles are still far removed from us in time, place, and culture.
“While we as Jesus followers might feel “closest” to the New Testament audiences, the original recipients are still far removed from us in time, place, and culture. Reading these letters as if they’re written directly to modern Christians can leave opportunities to miss the fuller, richer meaning of the text. Let’s look at a few examples.”
11 min read | Joshua • Biblical Violence • Ketuvim
How Do We Describe God’s Love?
Affection can come and go, and it doesn’t satisfy our innate need to be loved without condition. What we really want is a loyal affection not driven by strict or begrudging obligation but by deep compassion.
6 min read | Becoming Better Readers • How to Read the Bible • Intro to the Bible • Word Studies
Introducing Reflections
There are meaningful answers to these questions in the Bible, and when we take time to reflect on biblical wisdom, we better understand God’s character and who he made us to be.