Applied Theology
A group of Protestant preachers appears to be picking a fight with the IRS this election cycle. According to this Fox News article, more than 1,000 preachers have pledged to participate in an October 2012 campaign sponsored by the Alliance Defending Freedom (formerly known as the Alliance Defense Fund). The aim of the Alliance’s... Continue Reading →
There were many instances from my days of growing up under the moss-laced cypress trees of southern Louisiana that I would be asked by my father or my mother, "Aren't you ashamed of yourself?" Most of the time, I was not. I was only "ashamed" of getting caught. Shame is not an emotion we naturally... Continue Reading →
However, the much more positive perspective on the miracles of Jesus is that they often led to faith (as was their design). When the man born blind received his sight in John 9, he said, “I believe.” And he worshiped at the feet of Jesus (John 9:38). When the lame beggar outside the temple was... Continue Reading →
(Continued from Part 1) From the earliest stages of the Old Testament, instructions were given for people by God concerning miracles and their proper functions. In Deuteronomy 13:1-3, God’s people received a succinct, yet irrefutably clear, annunciation of the function of miracles. There are two primary functions of the signs and wonders. First, the signs... Continue Reading →
This article is part one of a three-part defense of miracles. Against the backdrop of growing skepticism in Britain and the west, C. S. Lewis wrote an important little treatise in defense of miracles. As the progress of science became more and more intertwined with Darwin’s evolutionary schemes of human origin, philosophers and academics became... Continue Reading →
William Law once said, "There is nothing that makes us love a man so much as prayer for him.” Nothing is more natural or loving for the Christian than prayer. Jesus, early in His ministry, taught His disciples how to pray (Matthew 6). The Apostle Paul later taught Christians to “pray without ceasing,” (1... Continue Reading →
A friend recently asked me to explain what the sign of the new covenant is for Christians today. That can be a thorny question. A few years ago, another blogger sought to answer the question and hinted that it might be the Lord’s Supper. Most have supposed the sign of the new covenant to be... Continue Reading →
Is it okay to watch a movie in your church sanctuary? What about the Holy Land, is it really holy? These are but two of the practical questions I sprung on my Sunday school class recently. How would you answer? Your answer would betray your allegiance to your concept of sacred space. Do you believe... Continue Reading →
[The following post is from Rebecca Potter who wrote this article about a very special young woman named Crystal Marie Simpson. Crystal had a heart for Christ and for the persecuted church. She was supposed to be married in June of this year. Sadly, she was killed in February. Her zeal is remembered at... Continue Reading →
Edmundo saved the day! No, there wasn’t a real life or death threat, but we felt like it was an emergency. We five Americans were stuck on a rural Asian island with no internet and no wi-fi accessibility. What in the world were we supposed to do—not update Facebook? But our hotel had pink... Continue Reading →
When it comes to music, I got stuck in the ‘70’s. In my mind, very little compares favorably to Carole King or James Taylor—or Gordon Lightfoot, America, or Seals and Crofts. My favorite Spotify playlist is called “Dad’s Groovy Music” because since the ‘70’s, I have been groovy—the way a 33LP ought to be. So... Continue Reading →
On a day when cultural crusaders are appreciating Chick-fil-A for the statement made by Dan Cathy in support of traditional marriage, other concerned Americans are heartily bemoaning the implementation of the HHS mandate in Obamacare. Whereas many see the swelling support for Chick-fil-a as a ray of hope for the future of freedom, a few... Continue Reading →
Prefixes are fascinating little pre-words. Kids studying for the National Spelling Bee learn prefixes in order to quickly unlock the meaning of words. The prefix para can help a contestant unlock the meaning of the more than 11,000 English words which employ it. The only problem is that English is notorious for its exceptions. Not... Continue Reading →
Stay tuned. My hiatus has not been in vain. My fresh new site is about to launch. My pledge is to offer you regular updates on persecution around the world and weekly articles to encourage your journey in the narrow way. Thank you so much for keeping in touch. In the meantime, enjoy these 4... Continue Reading →
Presently, a small group of Southern Baptists have stirred a mini-controversy over the issue of Calvinism (just in time for the convention). This group (mostly affiliated with the seminaries in New Orleans and Fort Worth) have undertaken an effort to exclude or diminish the impact of Calvinism from "traditional Baptist soteriology." I have strong opinions... Continue Reading →
Gregory C. Cochran 