gracelifethoughts Grace Thoughts

Teaching Notes: On Atheism and Apologetics

I was a well-known atheist in the area where I lived in the late 1960’s and early 70’s because of hosting a daily radio talk show where religion was often a topic of discussion. I was a “strong” atheist and used my position to challenge and mock the beliefs of religious people, especially Christians.

After becoming a Christian, I received many invitations to share my story at churches, religious group meetings and on Christian radio programs. The earliest notes I’ve found from my talks about atheism is from a talk I gave on radio more than 40 years ago. I share these notes with the hope they might help you understand the thinking of atheists and the great privilege we have to share Christ with them.

Continue reading “Teaching Notes: On Atheism and Apologetics” →

Advertisements
gracelifethoughts Grace Thoughts

Teaching Notes: On The Holiness Of God

God’s name is found thousands of times in the Bible – as well it should be. The Bible reveals what God wants us to know about Him and what He is doing in Heaven and on earth.

In a previous Teaching Note we saw that God is Solitary, Supreme and Sovereign. We also know from Scripture that God is Eternal, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient, Immutable, Love, Good, Righteous, Just, and Merciful.

God created a host of beings called “angels” who serve Him in Heaven. They sing this song to God – “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” (Isaiah 6:3) God also created beasts full of eyes before and behind who stand before God in Heaven and say – “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.”

The Holiness of God is a powerful theme, both in Heaven and on earth.

Continue reading “Teaching Notes: On The Holiness Of God” →

gracelifethoughts Grace Thoughts

Teaching Notes: On God

I recently came across some large boxes in storage that contained some of my teaching notes from 40 years ago. As I looked through those notes, I wondered if and how my thinking about God had changed through the years. I had come to Christian theism from atheism, so the reality of God’s existence was the most exciting knowledge I had ever experienced.

What did I think about God in those early days of Christianity? What have I learned since then? What can I learn now from what I believed and taught then?

Continue reading “Teaching Notes: On God” →

gracelifethoughts Grace Thoughts

Teaching Notes: On Teaching

“My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” James 3:1

That Bible verse has bothered me for many years – as well it should. James, the half-brother of Jesus, wrote a letter that hits followers of Christ hard, especially those who teach and lead. While that verse didn’t keep me from teaching the Bible, it has been a constant reminder of being careful about what I teach. Teachers will receive a “stricter judgment.”

That said, let me add that teachers who teach correctly also receive great reward. That reward includes pleasing God, being to the praise of His glory, and making disciples.

Continue reading “Teaching Notes: On Teaching” →

gracelifethoughts Grace Thoughts

Romans – The Gospel of God (Part 27)

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17

These are two of the most-quoted verses of the Apostle Paul’s writings–and for good reason. Paul is explaining ‘why’ he spent his life preaching the Gospel of Christ. It’s not because being an apostle was a good career move; not because the job paid well and included great perks; not because being a Gospel preacher gave him a good standing in the community. In fact, being an apostle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was the opposite of all that. Paul suffered greatly because of his commitment to the Gospel. The reason Paul preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ was because “it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.”

Continue reading “Romans – The Gospel of God (Part 27)” →