A disciplined faith encompasses a subject that is in everyone’s mouth: the tongue. J. Wallace Hamilton said, “In the beginning was the Word . . . and since then a billion, million words have been spoken” (Still the Trumpet Sounds). Words matter. The person who said, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words […]
Week 05 Study | Faith Without Works Is Dead
We conclude our three-month study of faith this month. Two lessons come from the “blue jeans theology” of the New Testament, namely James. This small five-chapter letter lives close to the ground. It is New Testament wisdom literature and nitty-gritty. It is similar in content to the Sermon on the Mount and might just be […]
Week 04 Study | A Strong Faith
Reading Daniel 7-12 is somewhat like reading Jonah 3, 4. We rarely do it. These are often neglected chapters because they are difficult chapters. But they contain important content for both comings of Christ. Daniel would need a strong faith to receive these teachings. This text might be appreciated more thematically if we move backwards […]
Week 03 Study | A Prayer for an Obedient Faith
Daniel 9 contains one of the most stunning prayers in all of the Bible. It is filled with praise for God’s character and with contrition for God’s people. Daniel was moved by the righteousness of God and emotionally owned the shame of Israel’s sins. What brought about such a moving prayer? Perhaps a change in […]
Week 02 Study | A Bold Faith
The prophet Daniel took center stage in last week’s lesson. In this week’s lesson his three friends are at the center of the controversy. We move from food to fire. Another person who actually occupies a large portion of the first chapters of the book of Daniel is Nebuchadnezzar. It seems odd that he would […]