Applied Theology
The Apostle Paul once lamented the fact that he was guilty of throwing women into prison (Acts 22:4). Though it is politically incorrect to say, it is also patently obvious to see that women are, according to the Scriptures, the “weaker vessel.” As the typically more physically dominant of the two sexes, the man (again,... Continue Reading →
My posts recently have shown a growing concern for the loss of religious freedom in America. Unfortunately, the trend away from liberty is global. Since 2008, the number of countries with severe restrictions on religious liberty has increased by 23 percent, according to the extensive new study recently released by the Pew Forum on... Continue Reading →
Just this week, Christians—including women and children—have been killed in Nigeria on account of Christ. In all, more than 600 Christians have been killed this year. Perhaps nowhere on earth is more dangerous for Christians right now than northern Nigeria. Christianity is not safe in Nigeria Emboldened by a Muslim plurality in the north,... Continue Reading →
There are two major stories whose trajectories are coalescing toward a permanent loss of religious liberty in the United States. The first story is the on-going saga known affectionately as Obamacare. The second story is more subtle, under the radar, but perhaps more damaging in its scope. It is the story of code enforcement. Let... Continue Reading →
About 5 days ago, I posted the news that a gospel fragment was found stating that Jesus had a wife. In that post, I noted how foolish the hype was for insinuating that the fragment was proof of another gospel. Now, it appears my post was correct. The so-called controversy of the gospel of... Continue Reading →
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 →
There’s a new controversy a-brewing, and it’s all by design. Professor Karen King is promoting the novel idea that Jesus had a wife. She has found a fragment—supposedly from the 4th century (though not yet attested)—which contains the line, “Jesus said to them, My wife….” Whether anyone in the 4th century actually wrote that line,... Continue Reading →
Earlier in the week, I noted how the largest American mosque is equivocating on free speech. Now, two more stories have erupted which keep the issue on the table of concern for anyone who cares about basic human rights. First, the U. N. Secretary General (Ban ki-moon) asserted that stringent limits should be placed on... 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 →
Well it is good to hear the largest mosque in America speaking out against the violence Muslims are perpetrating around the globe. Al Qazwini, imam at the Dearborn mosque, has even stated that Muslims cannot tolerate killing. Yet, even with this ostensible condemnation of Muslim violence, Al Qazwini offers three very troubling remarks for those... Continue Reading →
Before the game, our team took note of the size of the goalie. He was at least 6’3” and weighed in at a solid 280. He was a big guy—like a mountain with a t-shirt. We thought (or hoped) his size would limit his agility, but then we realized he wouldn’t need agility because... Continue Reading →
Gregory C. Cochran 