Antisemitism has been termed the world’s oldest hatred. In considering the serious allegation that the New Testament is antisemitic, let us begin with a more precise definition of the word antisemitism that goes beyond simple Jew-hatred. To put it simply, antisemitism is not based on the hatred of the Jewish religion. It is based on […]
Are People Innately Good or Bad? Few elements of the Bible’s message regarding human nature and our standing with God have been more misunderstood or intentionally distorted than the concept of sin. As the old line goes, “There’s good news, and there’s bad news.” In the case of the gospel, the order is reversed: the […]
It is perhaps no surprise that the four gospel accounts of Jesus’ life place great emphasis upon the final days leading to his crucifixion and resurrection. As he repeatedly declared, this was the mission for which he volunteered, with all its momentous ramifications (Matthew 16:21, John 12:27). But there is much more to Jesus than […]
Do you believe in God? This is not a question that can be answered by declaring yourself a Christian, Jewish, Muslim, or Hindu. This is not a religious question—it is personal. Assuming you are searching for a deeper spiritual reality in your life, the question of belief in God is important and should come before […]
If you have ever watched sporting events, from time to time you may have noticed someone in a multi-colored wig or something like that holding up a placard that read, “JOHN 3:16.” Is this, you may have wondered, a coded message from outer space? Actually, it is probably the most famous verse in the B’rit […]
In approaching this question, a word of caution is in order. Although the sharp rise of American evangelical political activism since the 1980s has been largely harnessed by the Republican party, the idea that “Reagan-follower” and “Jesus-follower” have become almost interchangeable labels in the minds of some people ought not to mislead us. Be that […]
Does religion produce intolerance? Looking at the lengthy list of religious wars and other persecutions throughout history, it would be easy to conclude that this is the case. But there is a common logical flaw embedded in this thinking: correlation implies causality. The existence of religion alongside the practice of intolerance does not, in and […]
“Jesus was Jewish… which makes sense, because he really loved his mother.” – Joan Rivers The answer to this question is so simple that a child can begin to grasp it and so complex that we could never plumb its deepest depths. What can we know about Jesus? As we understand the matter, the Jesus […]