The Bible in Context
Peter is one of the most important characters in the New Testament. After Jesus and Paul, his name is mentioned more than anyone else’s. Born Simon son of John, Jesus changed his name to Cephas, which means “rock” in Aramaic. In Greek Cephas is Petros or Peter in English (John 1:42). In addition to being … Read more
*I gave this talk to high school students several years ago. —————— Intro: Have you ever talked to someone who doesn’t want to open up to you? Perhaps you asked a question or two and received a brief response or no response at all. For some reason that person did not want to reveal themselves … Read more
Before our family moved to China three years ago, my wife and I visited a health food store in eastern Tennessee. We thought we would stock up on items that would be hard to find overseas. While there, we met the owner of the store. He took us into a back room with all kinds … Read more
If we could dissect and analyze a happy life, what would we find? In The Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle (384-323 B.C.) asserts that one thing we would find is friends: “no one would choose to live without friends though he should have all the other good things in the world.” Aristotle continues by categorizing the basis … Read more
Why did Jesus wrap a towel around his waist and wash his disciples’ feet? Why did he make “himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant” (Phil. 2:7)? Here’s what he says in John 5: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he … Read more