As We Forgive Our Debtors
These words take us into a tricky bit of theology. When Jesus says “forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors,” it would be easy to say, “Well, then, God will only forgive my sins after I have forgiven anyone who has sinned against me.” Right? But we know that can’t be the case,…
Biblical Response to Suffering
In our series with Dr. Erwin Lutzer called “Pandemics, Plagues, and Natural Disasters: What Is God Saying to Us?”, program three addresses the Bible’s response to suffering. From the world’s perspective, pain is something negative to be avoided or removed. However, God allows difficulties for several possible reasons. Instead of only seeking to avoid pain, the Bible offers other means of responding to suffering.
And Forgive Us Our Debts
The word translated “debts” in some translations and “trespasses” in others, is the Greek word opheilema. Jon Bloom writes at desiringgod.org, “Nearly all of the most credible English translations over time have translated the Greek words, opheilēma/opheiletēs, as “debts/debtors.” And that’s because in the New Testament and the Septuagint, these words almost always convey the meaning…
When the Truth Becomes a Lie
As I was reading Erwin Lutzer’s book Pandemics, Plagues, and Natural Disasters, I ran across the sentence, “Simply put, it is not possible to exaggerate how offensive our sin is toward God.”[1]
What to Do When God Is Silent
Even Christians who have walked closely with God for years have experienced times when He seems distant or quiet. Why does God seem silent? What can we do during these difficult times? In program two of Dr. Ankerberg’s program with Dr. Erwin Lutzer about the Covid-19 pandemic, they discuss what the Bible teaches regarding these…
How Does God Use Evil for Good?
In program 1 of Pandemics, Plagues, and Natural Disasters: What is God Saying to Us? Dr. John Ankerberg interviews Dr. Erwin Lutzer regarding the many ways the Covid-19 crisis has changed our world—and how God is working through it. Some claim the pandemic is a judgment from God. Others suggest God seems to be uninvolved…
I Exalt Thee: A Prayer of Adoration
To adore: an act of offering deep love and respect, of worshiping someone. To exalt: to elevate by praise or in estimation To extol: to praise highly Each of the verses below speak of exalting (or extoling) our Lord. Read each verse. Look it up in your Bible to see the author’s context, and why…
Our Daily Bread
“Give us this day our daily bread.” The first thing we naturally think of is God’s provision of the daily manna for His people in the wilderness. No doubt you remember the story in Exodus 16. God told Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each…
Is Karma Biblical?
In Hinduism and Buddhism, karma is the result of a person’s actions as well as the actions themselves. The actions of a person in this life (and previous lives) impact a person’s future fate and future lives. In today’s culture, popular videos and expressions have popularized the concept of karma, but is it consistent with…
Beyond My Control
Simon of Cyrene was just an ordinary guy, going about his ordinary business when he was grabbed by a couple of soldiers. If that wasn’t bad enough, he was then pulled into a moving throng of people—soldiers, convicts, and rabble-rousers—and he was forced to carry all or part of a heavy wooden cross to a…
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