September 2000

Hypocrisy

Americans hate hypocrisy. It is a personality trait which drives people away. Even among villains, we prefer the kind who are openly vile rather than the smooth, ingratiating backstabber who says one thing and does another. more...

Bible Authority

When they were very young, my niece and nephew used to play, and my nephew would always make my niece take the subordinate role. She would say, ""Let's play like we're dogs,"" and he would say, ""I'll be the big dog, and you be the puppy."" Or she would say, ""Let's play house,"" and he would say, ""I'll be the Daddy, and you be the baby."" Finally, one day my niece said, ""Let's play church,"" and my nephew said, ""Okay, you can be the preacher."" Her eyes lit up. Finally, she was going to play the lead role, and she said, ""Okay!"" And then my nephew said, ""And I'll be God!"" more...

Assembly of God church Meets in a church of Christ

One hallmark of churches of Christ has long been an understanding that we are different from any other religious persuasion. Even though other folks might be well-intentioned and sincere, a failure to accept all the New Testament said about salvation and the structure and work of the church makes ""them"" different from ""us."" While many churches in ""Christendom"" admit their disagreements about various doctrinal issues they regularly meet together and participate in campaigns and other works together because fundamentally they believe no matter their denominational stripe they are all Christian. Again, brethren have typically shied away from such arrangements because they simply do not share that fundamental presupposition. We do not believe that everyone who pays any attention to Jesus in whatever form is a Christian. We do not believe all churches are headed to heaven, just by different roads. more...

Selfless or Selfish

We have a saying around our house. Whenever any of us are thinking too highly of ourselves, someone else in the family will respond with, ""This is not about you."" It is not meant to be mean or rude, but a less than subtle reminder to think of others. more...

The Preacher's Pen

Who are you? Much is made in many quarters today about issues of self-esteem, self-identity and self-worth. While not much interested in what various human authorities might offer on these subjects what God says about this interests me supremely. more...