Various

In the ancient world, written symbols were viewed with a sense of mystical fascination. Pagans and Christians alike had a coded language of symbolism to express the mystical and mysterious… Read More

What do you think of when you hear the word “righteousness”? About a year ago I was challenged about my understanding of the nature of righteousness in the Bible and… Read More

The following material appeared in the weekly newsletter from 27 September to 11 October 2017. This series was adapted from The God Who Dared (1997), the next version of which was titled Genesis,… Read More

Was Noah’s Flood really global? Is there evidence for this? Please help me think this through. I am happy to help. Let me say, first off, that whatever one’s conclusion… Read More

Sermon by Douglas Jacoby on 10.1.17 at the North River Church of Christ, Marietta, GA

This course examines the nature of both science and religion and attempts to explore the possible relationships between them. The primary purpose is to dispel the popular myth that science… Read More

Read the powerful testimony of Costi Hinn, nephew of multi-millionaire health & wealth preacher Benny Hinn. From the Christianity Today website. Click here.  

No celebramos Halloween. Solía tener la idea de que los satanistas ven a Halloween como un día especial. Sin embargo, he intentado investigar en libros, publicaciones periódicas, e internet sobre… Read More

I thought you’d find this interesting. Jerry is someone who has thought — and studied — long and hard about many things. He’s a terrific Bible student — always learning,… Read More

An extraordinary collection of 68 New Testament and other Biblical manuscripts dating from the fourth to the twentieth centuries has been digitized and made available for study online. Continue reading… Read More

This is Douglas’ second message from the series ‘Sharpening the Sword’ at the midweek service of the North River Church of Christ on 9/20/17. (Note from the AV team: the… Read More

If you asked 20 separate Christians “What is the gospel,” you’d likely get 25 different answers. If you asked the same question in a group of 20 Christians, they might… Read More

Dave Lomas speaks on the sexual brokenness found in the Old Testament, which points to our own desperate need for God’s renewing grace in Genesis 38. Watch the video here.

Scientists say the world is really old, but my Bible teacher says it only appears old — but it actually young, only 1000s of years old. What is the truth?… Read More

I’m pleased to announce the release of a new FREE eBook from the Discipleship.org eBook series:Beyond Accountability by Nate Larkin. DOWNLOAD FREE NOW Beyond Accountability tells an important story about pornography and… Read More

Lesson given on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at the North River Church of Christ, to bring Christians to maturity through examining the nature and implications of the gospel. Video is… Read More

Jon Bloom, in this fascinating article (posted at Desiring God), gives reasons that we don’t “follow” our hearts — which is backwards. We are supposed to lead our hearts. Intrigued? Click here for the article.

What exactly was the Inquisition? (If you prefer to listen to my reply, click on the arrow for the podcast, The Inquisition (20 min). If you want to save and… Read More

Jordan Peterson is a historical philosopher who speaks broadly on, among other things, postmodernism. He outlines how this philosophy has affected political policy and thinking in the Western world. Here are 3… Read More

Chuck Colson on Dr. Paul McHugh Back in June I [Colson] told you about renowned psychiatrist Paul McHugh. He’s won numerous international awards for his work, but he’s recently been… Read More

According to Edward Gibbon (1737-1794), author of The Fall and Decline of the Roman Empire, five signs characterized Rome as she was deteriorating from within: Mounting love of show and… Read More

The Science Says The Google Guy Was Right About Sex Differences A myriad of distinguished professors and social scientists have already confirmed what James Damore wrote in his Google memo:… Read More

Here is an article in two formats (Word of pdf) on terminal punishment, translated into Portuguese. Tradução Jacoby Terminal Punishment Portuguese

Press Release: SISTER OF THE EARLIEST COMPLETE OLD TESTAMENT FOUND Tyndale House, Cambridge, announces a new discovery made by young researcher Dr. Kim Phillips published in its latest Tyndale Bulletin… Read More

Our church is initiating a “Crusade” to take our city for Christ. This makes we wonder, what about the Crusades in the Middle Ages. What were they? As a Christian… Read More

Children being Experimented on and Scientist speak out against this … http://www.christianpost.com/news/gender-confused-kids-are-being-experimented-on-with-hormone-therapy-experts-188757/?utm_source=newsletter Johns Hopkins Researcher finds no conclusive evidence people are born gay or transgender … http://www.christianpost.com/news/no-scientific-evidence-that-people-are-born-gay-or-transgender-johns-hopkins-researchers-say-168263/page1.html Here’s the full… Read More

To listen to the third podcast in the series on Christian identity, Why I Am Not an Evangelical—or Am I? (32 min), click on the arrow. To download and listen… Read More

Is there miraculous knowledge in the numbers of the Qur’an? I have heard it said, for example, that the word “day” turns up exactly 365 times in the Qur’an –… Read More

To hear the podcast (44 mins), Why I Am Not a Fundamentalist, click on the play arrow. To download and listen to it later, right click here and then on ‘save link as’… Read More

Is “Islam” really the Arabic word for peace? For some time now, and especially since the attacks of 9/11, many Muslims have made the claim: Islam means peace. (Not that it’s… Read More

To hear the podcast (54 mins) titled Why I Am Not a Protestant, click on the arrow. To download and listen to it later, right click here and then on ‘save… Read More

By Francis Collins, Medical Researcher, on bigthink.com. Some scientists see religion as a threat to the scientific method that should be resisted. But faith “is really asking a different set… Read More

“What are Jesus’ politics?” That’s what the opposing parties of His day wanted to know. To listen to this sermon, click here.

Watch the first and third classes Douglas offered at the North River Church of Christ in his new series The Evidence on March 2 and May 4. (Sorry, the second… Read More

I found a website proving that radical Islam is prophesized in the book of Revelations 6:1-8. Surely it cannot be a coincidence that the colors of the four horsemen of the apocalypse –… Read More

In April, at the Unboxed Conference in Orlando, Florida, Guy Hammond, Executive Director of Strength in Weakness (SIW), spoke on the topic of “Crossing Denominational Lines” and our SIW volunteer,… Read More

You don’t want to be the LAST person to watch the 2017 Videos… Grab a cup of coffee, sit down, buckle up and enjoy! Click here for this year’s presentations.

What is your viewpoint on scientists’ attempt to land on Mars in order to search for signs of life? Is the exploration of Mars a progressive endeavour, or is it a waste of… Read More

An advocate and champion for movements of gospel-centered Missional Communities, Verge Network exists for church leaders, students, entrepreneurs, artists, urban innovators, business leaders, community development specialists, non-profit leaders, church planters… Read More

  Note: This article was originally published on February 18, 2015, at OnFaith. It is reprinted with permission. I grew up in what is sometimes called a “low church” tradition that didn’t… Read More

Sermon given on April 9, 2017 at the North River Church of Christ by Douglas. Click HERE for the notes accompanying the sermon.

It was such a kick to the stomach. A nauseating, heart-pounding kick. I remember staring, confused, at the computer screen. What exactly was he looking at, anyway? Is that what… Read More

Elon Musk is widely regarded as one of the most influential entrepreneurs working today. He’s one of the founders of PayPal and the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. He wants… Read More

I recently had a fascinating conversation with a sharp young leader, who had just returned from an amazing vacation in the Caribbean. The food, the scenery, the weather, the company;… Read More

Used by permission of John Clayton, Q1, 2017 Does God Exist In 1970 an ancient copy of the Torah was found in the Jewish village known as En-Gedi. It has recently… Read More

In 1974 Burger King made a bold move to take market share from McDonald’s. At the time, McDonald’s made burgers en masse. If you wanted a special order, you had… Read More

In Misquoting Jesus, the New York Times bestseller subtitled The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why, author Bart Ehrman fires a shot meant to sink the ship of… Read More

With the recent launch of The Shack movie, we are reminded of a whole mix of theological questions raised by the novel, and the problems of projecting the divine onto… Read More

My friend Elizabeth Laing Thompson has just released a new book, When God Says “Wait”: Navigating Life’s Detours and Delays Without Losing Your Faith, Your Friends, or Your Mind. We… Read More

Part of my ministry as a teacher is to put excellent biblical material into the hands of Bible students — including those who teach. So I’m proud to recommend by friend… Read More

59 Percent of Millennials Raised in a Church Have Dropped Out—And They’re Trying to Tell Us Why Only 4 percent of the Millennial Generation are Bible-Based Believers. This means that… Read More

On Feb 8, 2017, Israeli and U.S. archaeologists announced they’d found compelling evidence for a 12th Dead Sea Scroll cave. This is the first such discovery in 60 years. Click here to… Read More

This week, last week, and nearly every day since midway through 2015, I’ve observed a progressive and polarizing social media war between Christians, non-Christians, liberals, conservatives, men, women, black people,… Read More

To listen to CLEAN podcast 31, Concluding Challenges (17 minutes), click on arrow. To download and listen later, right click here and choose ‘save target as’ or ‘save link as’. Introduction Last time we… Read More

To listen to CLEAN podcast 30, Purity & Transformation in Christian Theology (12 minutes), click on arrow. To download and listen later, right click here and choose ‘save target as’ or ‘save link as’…. Read More

To listen to CLEAN podcast 29, Jesus’ Resurrection (7 minutes), click on arrow. To download and listen later, right click here and choose ‘save target as’ or ‘save link as’. Scriptural study: Luke 24:1-6; 1… Read More

To listen to CLEAN podcast 23, The OT Saints of Matthew 27 (9 minutes), click on arrow. To download and listen later, right click here and choose ‘save target as’ or ‘save link as’. Introduction… Read More

To listen to CLEAN podcast 22, The Man Reanimated by Elisha’s Bones (6 minutes), click on arrow. To download and listen later, right click here and choose ‘save target as’ or ‘save link as’. Introduction The… Read More

To listen to CLEAN podcast 19, The House Swept Clean (7 minutes), click on arrow. To download and listen later, right click here and choose ‘save target as’ or ‘save link as’. Context (A) Luke… Read More

Here’s a guest podcast, The Leper, by Kevin Agot, who lives in the Washington DC area. I hope you enjoy it! To start the podcast (6 minutes), click on the… Read More

To listen to CLEAN podcast 12a, The Leper of Mark 1 (11 minutes), click on arrow. To download and listen later, right click here and choose ‘save target as’ or ‘save link as’…. Read More

To hear podcast 11, The 10 Lepers (10 minutes), click on the play arrow. Or, to download, right click here, and choose ‘save target as’ or ‘save link as’. Introduction… Read More

For CLEAN podcast 5, on Walking in the Light, click the play arrow. The podcast (14 minutes) can also be downloaded. To listen later, download by right clicking here, and ‘save target… Read More

For CLEAN podcast 4, on Purity in James, Peter, & John, click on the play arrow. The podcast (14 minutes) can also be downloaded. To download, right click here and… Read More

For CLEAN podcast 3, on Purity in Paul, click on the play arrow. The podcast (12 minutes) can also be downloaded. To download and listen later, right click here and choose… Read More

This is the second of 31 podcasts in the CLEAN series, Purity in Proverbs. To listen now, click on the arrow (8 minutes). To download and listen later, right click here and… Read More

The first of 31 podcasts, Purity in Psalms, launches the CLEAN series. The first section of our series (5 podcasts) focuses on Purity & Cleansing (in both testaments). To listen… Read More

This podcast (7 minutes) explains the purpose of the CLEAN series. To listen now, click on arrow. To download and listen later, right click here and ‘save target as’ or… Read More

OPENING OBSERVATIONS The similarities (ultimate truth, longing for the holy) are greatly outweighed by the differences (God, goal, salvation…) General Revelation & Special Revelation Special Scripture (Bible) The person of… Read More

The phone rings, and I pick up. “Hello.” A panicked voice blurts out “Is Guy Hammond there?” “This is Guy, who’s this?” “My name is Henry James (not his real… Read More

Listen to David Bercot’s lessons (Scroll Publishing) through its YouTube channel. Here’s the link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL6qGDn7Nnd84-UgURpw8Dw Description Welcome to the Scroll Publishing YouTube channel. We are a small publisher of Christian books… Read More

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/walls-jesus-tomb-exposed-first-time-centuries-180960953/?utm_source=smithsoniandaily&no-ist

The following appears in the abstract of Garabed Eknoyan, The Kidneys in the Bible: What Happened? The abstract is available at http://jasn.asnjournals.org/content/16/12/3464.full. “The kidneys are mentioned… sometimes in direct connection… Read More

Although a non-scientist, since the 1970s I have read over 50 books on biological origins, as well as scores of scientific articles. Here are (in my opinion) some of the… Read More

https://jointhebibleproject.com/about/ This is an animated audiovisual Bible. One episode typically summarizes a book of the Bible—in part or in whole—in 6-8 minutes. It’s very well done.

Used with permission by John Clayton, of Does God Exist? On March 7, 2016, the Supreme Court reversed Alabama’s refusal to recognize same-sex adoption, saying that same-sex couples cannot be… Read More

I am considering a job offer from a company whose parent company is involved in the weapons industry. This obviously raised some questions for me as a Christian. On the one… Read More

If you are traveling (anywhere in the world) and would like to stay with devoted disciples of Christ, consider supporting the creation a brand new platform: Come & Stay. Hundreds… Read More

I asked a French brother how he felt about the terror attack on Nice, 14 July 2016 (Bastille Day). His response: While I’m truly grateful that no one I know… Read More

Guy Hammond’s ‘Strength in Weakness’ ministry is not without opposition. Click here to see some of the backlash.

Message done in Brussels, Belgium on June 19, 2016 Question & Answer session that followed

 Issue 69 • June 2016 Are There Health Benefits to Masturbation? [Video] Matt Fradd • Since the days of psychologists like Sigmund Freud and Alfred Kinsey, people picture the sexual impulse as… Read More

What Can We Learn From Deadliest Mass Shooting in U.S. History? June 12, 2016, by Jon Sherwood In what has become a far too common occurrence in recent American history,… Read More

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36430880

Article by Daniel C. Berk. Click here to read.

A disciple recently posted this article. https://sojo.net/articles/jesus-was-protester. I’m not sure why, but it bothered me. What do you think about it? Interesting…  Yesterday I passed a group of protesters — in front of… Read More

For an excellent article by David Instone-Brewer on the topic of Divorce & Remarriage, click here.

To read this article, please click here.

Cosmic Fall & Natural Evil

Here are two links containing schools, colleges and universities affiliated with Churches of Christ and the Christian Churches: http://kingstonchurchofchrist.com/christian-education/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_universities_and_colleges_affiliated_with_the_Christian_churches_and_churches_of_Christ

Sermon done on Nehemiah 8, at North River Church of Christ, on February 14, 2016.

New York Times article on science and religion http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/14/books/review/the-twain-shall-meet.html?_r=0

Are we changing the Bible to fit our culture or are we changing our culture to fit the Bible? http://www.faithit.com/9-sins-the-church-is-okay-with/

Help for Christians who are helping their gay friends. A resource that every Christian needs in their library! Are you studying the Bible with someone who is gay? Where should… Read More

See the helpful article at the Harvard Business Review, 7 January 2016, by Peter T. Coleman and Robert Ferguson. CLICK HERE.

Politics in Proverbs (selected) In 2015, while studying the Proverbs on a visit to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, I was struck with just how many of them are political in… Read More

For CLEAN podcast 5, on Purity \, click on the play arrow. The podcast (12 minutes) can also be downloaded. Download here. for Challenge Thought q [Tomorrow: Purity in the… Read More

Here is an assortment of comments on the Paradigm Series, sent in from all over the world (Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Australia). We have edited some of them… Read More

The Indian government (as of December 2015) is attempting to push through an anti-conversion, anti-evangelism law, with up to a 10-year jail term for those convicted. Already 6 of the… Read More

Famous Christians 1: Nicholas of Myra This is the story (16 minutes) of Nicholas of Myra, a 4th century Christian leader, who became “Saint Nick.” Though Christmas lore is nearly… Read More

“Revolution in World Missions: One Man’s Journey to Change a Generation” by K. P. Yohanan “Lord, I’ll give myself to speak for You.” Young Yohannan had no idea what those… Read More

My 14 year-old son fancies himself a deep thinker/seeker, and our spiritual “household culture” conforms to your “unexamined faith” mantra: we try to encourage independent examination and free discussion. This has… Read More

To listen to the podcast, “Why Christian Leaders Need to be Exceptionally Good Bible Students” (30 minutes), click on the link below. Click here to download. Scriptures referred to: James… Read More

My next door neighbor, enjoying the recent articles on evolution in which I reference the slowness of the academic world to accept heliocentricity (earth orbiting sun), sent these links. The… Read More

“How Wide the Divide: Sexuality at the Forefront, Culture at the Crossroads”, by Ravi Zacharias on July 15, 2015. http://rzim.org/global-blog/how-wide-the-divide-sexuality-at-the-forefront-culture-at-the-crossroads

What does the Bible say about contraception? I belong to a church that forbids it. Can you please help me figure this out? I would like to invite you to… Read More

Sermon done by Douglas Jacoby on June 26, 2011. To listen now, click on arrow. To download and listen later, right click on download podcast, and ‘save target as’ or… Read More

When Calvinist scientists and theologians embrace evolutionary creationism, do they deny that random mutations are random? Maybe this is a silly question, but could creation ever be considered truly random… Read More

It will be interesting to see how the wording in this fragment compares to the present-day canonical Qur’an. ‘Oldest’ Koran fragments found in Birmingham University What could be the world’s… Read More

Universities & their Mottos is a podcast (25 minutes) examining how university education has changed in the last 1000 years, from training for Christian ministry to secular study, from broad… Read More

How should Christians think in response to the legalization of “gay marriage” in their home countries? The following talk (23 minutes) makes a few suggestions, challenging us to respond maturely… Read More

This site is full of great information, studies and explanations about the Jehovah Witness doctrines. http://thewatchtowerfiles.com/

You will want to read Nikole Mitchell’s uncommon Memorial Day thoughts — recommended by Tom Jones. Click here.

http://www.pewforum.org/2015/05/12/americas-changing-religious-landscape/

http://rethinkinghell.com/2015/05/rethinking-hells-second-book/

In this seventh and final podcast in the series on the Spirit, we consider further areas in which the Spirit works. In particular, we consider what it means to the… Read More

To hear the sixth podcast (11 minutes), click on the link below. Scriptures mentioned include John 14 (the go-to chapter on the indwelling); Acts 13:1-4; Romans 8:14, Galatians 5:18; Psalm… Read More

2 Timothy 1:7; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Acts 10:24; and other passages were referred to in the fifth podcast. To hear this podcast (15 minutes), click below. Click here to download.

Click below to listen to Holy Spirit lesson 4 (11 minutes). Scriptures referred to in this podcast include 1 Corinthians 14:23; John 16:23; Luke 1:15, John 10:41; and 1 Corinthians… Read More

Our third podcast (17 minutes) covers a number of scriptures, like Acts 19 (Sons of Sceva), 2 Thessalonians 2:9ff (the powerful delusion), Matthew 6 (“many words,” a possible reference to… Read More

In lesson 2, we examine scriptures in Colossians 2, Deuteronomy 13, and 1 Samuel 19. 1 Kings 13 contains another superb illustration of the danger of elevating anything above the… Read More

Listen to the introductory podcast in a series on the Spirit (17 minutes), in which I begin to share about my experience in the Charismatic Movement, and broach the subject… Read More

Since the King is the Prince of Peace (Isa 9:6), the kingdom is not about power or coercion, but about love and service. Christians are forbidden to lord it over… Read More

“I wanted to ask your opinion about an article I wrote on the ‘age of accountability.’ At age 12, Jesus is referred to as a ‘boy/child,’ and the (little) girl… Read More

For an unusually insightful perspective on hell by a Greek Orthodox perspective, read River of Fire. The author is Dr. Alexander Kalomiros.

The purpose of this podcast is to foster a Christian leadership culture. This is an important study for anyone in leadership, or considering it. Please listen to this podcast (18… Read More

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2014/02/c-allen-hobbs/anti-war-anti-state-christian-leaders/

With the increase of iPhone holders, Facebook users, video-game players, Instagram posters, Snapchat senders, Spotify listeners, text-message writers, and hashtag creators, the word “friendship” has dwindled in the last 30… Read More

It Doesn’t Look Like Church to Me, Dr. Kent Smith Published on Oct 8, 2014 Dr. Kent Smith, Abilene Christian University’s Missionary Coordinator for North America, speaks at the 2014… Read More

Click for a most illuminating study.

My friend Tom Jones has put up a short but powerful article at his website. It’s about Christians and guns (at home). Click HERE to read it.    

I frequently think about the suffering in this life — more and more with every year — including very painful emotional distress. It seems like there is a randomness to life. We… Read More

A non-believing friend counters the idea of a creationist God by contending for seeding from aliens. I realize this idea is preposterous to you, but I didn’t find anything specifically… Read More

Melanie Cicerchia came to faith in Christ through campus ministry at the University of Florida in 1973. She married Paul Martel, and together they served in the full-time church work… Read More

Why did Rome (753 BC—AD 476) fall?  Was it due to external circumstances (barbarian invasion, famine, plague, etc), or to internal ones? We in the West ought to take notice…. Read More

Originally titled Our God is an Awesome God: A Close Look at the gods of the Ancient World, and Why Yahweh is Best, this podcast examines the rivals of the one true… Read More

Sunday sermon done at the North River Church of Christ in Marietta, GA on Sunday, November 23, 2014. Click to watch: Holidays or Holy Days?

The first lesson in this series (all recorded at the 2013 Florida Discipleship Conference) is from Lamentations. Douglas speaks alone. In classes 2 and 3, he teaches with his wife, Vicki…. Read More

The previous lesson in this series (all recorded at the 2013 Florida Discipleship Conference) is on Judgment & Grace, and comes from Lamentations. Click here for lesson 1. Douglas speaks… Read More

I would like to find out about generational curses, which seem so common here in Africa. Are they real? What should a Christian’s response be? What are practical, biblical ways… Read More

What do you think about this “elf on a shelf”? A fictional character watches your children and reports to Santa. They are told to be obedient so that the elf… Read More

In the previous lesson we examined 10 examples of biblical practices that may have cultural aspects. In other words, before we analyze form and function, the extent to which we… Read More

In the previous lesson we explored accommodation and discernment. Some aspects of the ambient culture are fine for believers to follow, while others are not. Yet an even greater sensitivity to… Read More

To listen to the first lesson in the Bible & Culture series (16 minutes), click below. (Note: for a different lesson on the Bible (Old Testament) and culture, please click… Read More

To hear the final section of Doctrinal, Biblical, and Psychological Obstacles to Accepting Conditionalism: Successfully Rethinking Hell in a Small Christian Movement (26 minutes), click on the podcast icon below…. Read More

To hear part 2 of Doctrinal, Biblical, and Psychological Obstacles to Accepting Conditionalism: Successfully Rethinking Hell in a Small Christian Movement (31 minutes), click on the podcast icon below. Click… Read More

Following the inaugural Rethinking Hell Conference (Houston, 11-12 July 2014), a Festschrift is being published for Edward Fudge on the occasion of his 70th birthday. My class at the conference… Read More

Is there a quadrinity? Clearly, the Bible supports the triune nature of God. Moreover, the Scriptures demonstrate mutual love, honor, submission, and dependency between each part. I cannot help but notice… Read More

Are current events in modern Israel only the unfolding of biblical prophecy? Given the severe tensions between Israelis and Palestinians, what position should Christians take?  Listen to the podcast, which addresses 7 questions… Read More

Dear Dr. J, I just found, and listened to your podcast. I enjoyed listening to it. Thank you!  Here is a challenging question for you: Can you be both a… Read More

This lesson was original taught in Mexico City (“Manteniendo la Sana Doctrina,” 9 August 2014). Listen to the English podcast (52 minutes). Click here to download. Life and teaching Every… Read More

Your Ex Still Wants You The following podcast, the title of which is inspired by Lipscomb scholar John Mark Hicks’ recent work, examines the evolution of the “supper” from actual… Read More

Click on link for the PDF: Cielo e Infierno: Castigo Terminal For the English version of Heaven and Hell: Terminal Punishment (1991), click here.

Israel was called to demonstrate the true God to the world (Exodus 19:4-6; Isaiah 49:6; Malachi 1:11,14; etc). Her religion was radically different to all other ancient religions (such as… Read More

ESCAPE:  Lesson 4 of 4. Douglas Jacoby and Steve Brand have joined forces to teach a series called ESCAPE. Steve Brand is a professional counselor and expert on addictive behaviors. Here’s the provisional plan: The psychology… Read More

ESCAPE:  Lesson 3 of 4. Douglas Jacoby and Steve Brand have joined forces to teach a series called ESCAPE. Steve Brand is a professional counselor and expert on addictive behaviors. Here’s the provisional plan: The psychology… Read More

ESCAPE:  Lesson 2 of 4. Douglas Jacoby and Steve Brand have joined forces to teach a series called ESCAPE. Steve Brand is a professional counselor and expert on addictive behaviors. Here’s the provisional plan: The psychology… Read More

Listen to Business Ethics (22 minutes). Click here to download. Consequences of breakdown of of ethics The breakdown of ethics in the workplace has dire social and personal consequences: Resentment and… Read More

ESCAPE, Lesson 1 of 4: Douglas Jacoby and Steve Brand have joined forces to teach a series called ESCAPE. Steve Brand is a professional counselor and expert on addictive behaviors. The series explores addictive substances and behaviors and… Read More

How should I respond when I am unjustly treated or wronged? When I know I am right or I see the situation as unfair, I plead my case for justice…. Read More

Is there any country that celebrates or follows the rules for the Year of Jubilee? And when I say follow, I mean they follow what it says in Leviticus 25:8-55:… Read More

Think biblically about how we are to relate to our enemies. Who has the stronger position: those who advocate “just war” or those who teach that Christians are forbidden to… Read More

This is one of the keynote messages at a 2011 conference on the Paranormal — aboard the Queen Mary, a “haunted ship.” The lesson is about an hour in length…. Read More

The Pursuit of Holiness by Douglas Jacoby from 11-11-2012 Click here to download. Click here for a pdf of the notes.

You argue that it does not make sense for God to punish a certain number of years of sin with an infinite punishment. What about Hades, the intermediate state of… Read More

Listen to the podcast on Dragons (29 minutes). Click here to download. Mythology in the King James Version Unicorns – 9x in KJV Further comment by Chuck Pike (not in… Read More

Obviously, All Fools’ Day isn’t a biblical day, or even a traditional religious observance, yet it is an annual event in many countries, and our study will underscore at least one… Read More

  Seven confessions (John’s Gospel) 1:34   John the Baptist 1:49   Nathanael 4:42   Samaritans (4:29) 6:69   Peter 9:38   blind man 11:27 Martha [19:19 Pilate] ~ 11:50… Read More

To watch video, click on link: http://vimeo.com/81639585   Jesus Christ: Prince of Peace or God of War? Douglas Jacoby, 2013 Harvard University  Observations 1.    O.T. Church-state. Although priesthood and monarchy were separate,… Read More

Acts 13:2 – worshipping and fasting / insight, plans Acts 24:11 – Paul says he went up to worship (Jerusalem) see 26:7, Acts 27:23. 1 Cor 11 – Somberness? What’s… Read More

This lesson was recorded at the 2013 Florida Discipleship Conference, and is based on the book of Lamentations. To get the most out of the Grace & Ungrace series, listen… Read More

3rd century – church buildings (converted houses) 4th century Influx of O.T. culture (priesthood, church/state, and more) Influx of paganism (holidays, images…) Basilicas Role of Imperial support 5th century Relics Cult… Read More

Justin Martyr, First Apology 65-67 But we, after we have thus washed him who has been convinced and has assented to our teaching, bring him to the place where those… Read More

Pliny, Letter to Trajan, 10.96-97, c.110 AD It is my practice, my lord, to refer to you all matters concerning which I am in doubt. For who can better give… Read More

  1 Sam 15:25 — the appearance of worship (Saul) 2 Kings 10:19 — pretending to worship Ba’al (John 19:3) Isaiah 29:13 — hearts far from God Isaiah 44:15— the… Read More

To hear The Gender of God (13 minutes), click on the play button below: To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or “save target… Read More

  Position and Disposition Kneeling Sitting Lying Standing Raising hands (Christian art) Heart Expressiveness – 2 Sam 6; Luke 7, 17; feeling: two extremes Humility – 1 Kings 8; Psalm… Read More

7 Aspects of worship under the Old Covenant Pilgrimage: 3 annual visits (males) Animal sacrifices Singing, choirs, instruments Reading of scripture Priesthood Ritual, ornamentation, liturgy Limited access to YHWH 7… Read More

Summary Genesis 28:10-17 – Jacob’s vision of the stairway to heaven (see John 1:51). 1 Chron 16:29-30 – Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering… Read More

Introduction to the series: important questions Worshippers enjoy healthier, more dynamic lives than non-worshippers. Why is that? What (if anything) does the Old Testament have to offer Christians? What disqualifies… Read More

The penultimate podcast in our series (22 minutes) is Christ Refracted in the World: The Monotheists. Whereas last time we examined how Christ has been (mis)understood by polytheists, now we… Read More

The final three podcasts in Christ Through the Ages explore how Christ has been refracted through human thinking. We begin with the polytheists (think Hindu); next time we will discuss monotheists (think… Read More

What is your take on the recent Supreme Court decision to legalize gay marriages? And advice? Following the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision to legalize “gay marriages,” here are a… Read More

I want to say at the beginning that I hope you will read this as a heart-felt appeal and not as in-your-face challenge. Most of us know that Jesus’ call… Read More

In several passages the dead seem to be described as though they were asleep. For example, 1 Cor 15:6 says “Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at… Read More

To listen to podcast later, right click link below and “Save target as” or “Save link as” Download Podcast For PDF notes for this class, click Here

To download this audio & listen to it later, click below and “save target as” or “save link as”. Download Podcast For PDF notes for this class, click Here

To download this audio & listen to it later, right click below and “save target as” or “save link as”. Download Podcast For PDF notes for this class, click Here

This is the second lesson in the series. To listen to podcast later, right click link below and “Save target as” or “Save link as” Download Podcast For PDF notes… Read More

To download the podcast and play it later, right click on the “download podcast” link below and select “save link as” or “save target as”. Download talk For even more,… Read More

I am reaching out to  a woman who has a gay brother. This man is in a committed relationship and is also a committed church member in a large denomination that… Read More

Listen to Debate 6: Is Christianity Rational? Debate with atheist Robert Brotherus took place 10 September 2011 (Helsinki). Please listen to it and tell your friends — believing and nonbelieving!… Read More

1. Joe Dallas, The Gay Gospel. Very easy to read. 2. Robert A. J. Gagnon, The Bible and Homosexual Practice. More in-depth. 3. Guy Hammond, Caring Beyond the Margins. Superb. For more:… Read More

Purim — The Upside Down Holiday (by Phillip Lester) Greetings and shalom (peace). If you didn’t know it – this is a special day.  Today is Purim! In a world of… Read More

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wnfsr1pADtE

Watch a lively debate between yours truly and Rabbi Shmuley. Click here to get your own copy of the DVD.

Christian Anti-intellectual and the Disciple’s Worldview, as understood by Jason Goble This is the third essay on the Disciple’s Worldview. Before your eyes glaze over at the title, ask yourself… Read More

The Origin of the word Christmas The modern word Christmas comes from the Old English Cristes mæsse, or Christ’s mass. In Medieval Catholicism, this was the Mass. The word mass… Read More

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