Each of us came into existence through no decision or action of our own. So each of us may wonder, “Why do I exist?” and “How shall I live the life I have?” These are the questions that “religions” attempt to answer.
The word “religion” comes from the Latin word “religio” which has a meaning influenced …
Read MoreThe way that God, our Creator, intends for us to live is known by every human being. How God intends for us to live is called God’s “will” or God’s “law.” Jesus referred to God’s law as God’s “commandment” or “word.” Jesus taught that it is God’s will or intention for us to love our …
Read MoreIn the time of Jesus, the Jewish religion placed many obligations or requirements on the Jews. These obligations, or commandments, came from the Mosaic law and the teachings of the Hebrew prophets. Jesus tried to make religion simple and understandable by explaining that there were only two basic commandments from God.
Jesus said that these two …
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When Jesus preached the gospel, “The kingdom of God is at hand,” he called for a response: “Repent, and believe in the gospel.” What does “repent” mean?
The meaning of “repent” is found in Jesus’ parable of the “prodigal son” (Luke 15:11-24) as follows:
“And he (Jesus) said, …
Read MoreThe word “Gospel” means “good news.” The good news is given through a message. In the New Testament, there are two different messages that are called “the gospel.” One is given by Jesus and one is given by Paul, a man who called himself an “apostle” (messenger) but was not among the original followers of …
Read MoreWhat you usually hear about Jesus today in churches and on TV is an interpretation that comes from the writings of a man named Paul who called himself an “apostle” (messenger) but was not among Jesus’ “twelve” disciples who are also called “apostles.”
Paul’s ideas about Jesus are found in letters which he wrote to churches …
Read MoreEvery church has a creed. A creed is a set of religious beliefs approved by a church. A creed usually consists of a brief written statement of beliefs. Some churches use written creeds that have a long history such as the “Nicene Creed.” Some churches claim to be “non-creedal” churches but this just means that …
Read MoreI view Jesus as a human being, like you and me, but living in a different time and place. Jesus was a Jew, almost 2,000 years ago, and he shared the Jewish belief that God intended for the descendants of Abraham (the Jews) to become a nation. (Genesis 12:2).
The Jewish nation, known as the Kingdom …
This essay is written in response to readers who have asked me to write some more about the identity of Jesus, and the relationship between Jesus and God.
It is understandable that there is confusion about this. In trinitarian Christian churches, the name “Jesus” is used interchangeably with the terms “Son of God” and “God” in …
Read MoreThe “gospel” according to Paul focused on the “crucifixion and resurrection” of Jesus.
Paul believed that the crucifixion of Jesus represented a sacrifice of Jesus’ life to pay the death penalty which humankind had allegedly incurred because of disobedience to God, beginning with the “first man” Adam. So Paul viewed the cross as the symbol of …
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