Biblical Articles

Many of the principles already addressed are mentioned again throughout the second half of Psalm 119, but the reader’s attention will now be focused on the positive expressions of the value of the Word of God. The last eight verses of the first half of the psalm...

What are the two things that people often desire the most? In times of oppression, many pray for hope, which keeps them clinging to life. The writer of Psalm 119 praises the Word of God for its ability to sustain us: “Remember the word to Your servant, upon which you...

Through Psalm 119:12 certain benefits of God’s Word have been stated. First, those who keep His testimonies are blessed. Second, the one who listens to them does not walk in iniquity, remains undefiled, and is not ashamed. His way is cleansed. Third, the Word hidden...

The writer of Psalm 119 is not known; some believe that it was David; others think the great scribe Ezra penned these marvelous words. In either case, it was inspired by the Holy Spirit, as all Scriptures are (2 Tim. 3:16-17). It is by far the longest psalm (176...

According to Wikipedia, Bill Hybels is “the founding and senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois,” which has more than 15,000 members. Besides this achievement, he is also the author of some best-selling books. Like Rick Warren...

What does the text of Luke 16:19-31 actually teach? Many have set forth fanciful theories that no one could honestly derive from the text. Such strained interpretations arise from the theology of certain religious groups or individuals that feel a need to defend a...

What does it mean to have a vested interest in a particular interpretation of the Scriptures? It means simply this: that certain people hold to a specific doctrine so strongly that they cannot look objectively at what the Bible actually teaches on a subject. Many so...

Thus far, Buford has been disrespectful to those in the Lord’s church and proceeded on the assumption that he is correct in his conclusions—but that faithful and scholarly brethren are just taking someone’s word for what they believe, having never studied the doctrine...

Content to let the previous discussion end where it did, I was surprised that Buford suddenly resumed correspondence six weeks later. This one lasted from March 24 to April 1st. Below are its crucial portions. Buford to Gary: I was reviewing your emails and have a...

Back in February and March of this year a person who shall be referred to as Buford (not his real name) initiated contact via e-mail. He initially took issue with an article concerning alcohol that was on our website. Several are posted, and he did not specify which...

The Israelites had great expectations at the time Jesus arrived, although they did not know how everything would fit together. They anticipated a king (2 Sam. 7:12-13; Ps. 110:1), but few (if any) anticipated that the kingdom would be spiritual. They expected “that...

The observation has often been made that, when people go overboard on the Holy Spirit, they begin to see every passage through the prism of their newfound theology. They enthusiastically embrace new and even bizarre interpretations in an effort to substantiate their...

For the past sixteen years many faithful brethren have been opposing what has come to be called “the Deaver doctrine.” It first surfaced in a debate that Mac Deaver had with Marion Fox in 1994 and has been evolving ever since. The position emerging from that...

For several months another brother and I studied with a husband and wife who were first contacted during the course of door-knocking. They never objected to any teaching, and they frequently asked good questions, knowing that they would receive a Bible answer....

In a discussion with someone recently about the Spiritual Growth Workshop (hereafter SGW), it was explained that the promoters of the wolf-gathering event dismiss criticism of the program by referring to those who voice opposition as “naysayers.” So, what is a...

“Pastor” David Martin of Bartlett, Tennessee fancies that he has put together questions that are so difficult that no one in the churches of Christ can possibly answer them. He is as ignorant of our history as he is in comprehending the Scriptures, or he would know of...

Every so often along comes some midget suffering from a “giant” complex. He makes boasts concerning things about which usually he has no clue and then proclaims himself the triumphant victor. He may even convince those who agree with him, but most others do not share...

One of the problems in modern communication is that people's perceptions of themselves stand in the way of their objectivity. Most of us want to be considered “a good guy” by the people we know. We want to be known as moderate in all things so that no one can attach...

Despite the invitation to engage in honest Bible study, where we look at what the passage actually says instead of what we might want it to say, Kerry Hadley has clearly adopted the latter, invalid approach. Now, as we come to the key text in 1 Timothy 2, the reader...

Last week we began a review of material put together by Kerry Hadley of the West Orange Church of Christ. This 51 pages of material is particularly dangerous since it is misleading. It misrepresents itself in three significant ways: 1. It makes a pretense at being...

The document under examination consists of more than 50 pages, and it is quite deadly in that it combines truth with error under the guise of being scholarly. It is quasi-scholarly in that some sources are cited for particular points, but others are just assumed...

The April issue of Contending for the Faith published my recent review of the February lectureship book, Profiles in Apostasy #1. I had previously printed it in Spiritual Perspectives on March 21, 2010; it is also on our Website, www.spiritualperspectives.org. This...