Elijah the prophet experienced one of the Bible’s most memorable spiritual highs. In a public contest pitting Yahweh vs. Baal, he singlehanded stared down hundreds of false prophets and won, on God’s behalf, a resounding victory. Imagine what a rush it would be to stand up in a contentious Town Hall meeting in the 21st century and say, “Just in… Read more »
Sometimes the greatest public victories are followed by the most demoralizing personal collapses. It happened to Elijah – arguably a unanimous first ballot inductee if they ever open a Hebrew Prophet Hall of Fame. In I Kings 18, this scraggly-looking “mountain man” stands all by himself against the vilest monarchs in ancient Israel. King Ahab and his wife Jezebel have… Read more »
Bible commentator Dale Bruner, trying to describe “the deep grace of God for a flawed human race,” says there is one illustration that has helped him more than any other. It comes from Dr. Richard Selzer’s experience as a surgeon, as reported in his book Mortal Lessons. Selzer writes: I stand by the bed where a young woman lies, her… Read more »
As a native of the Hoosier capitol, I grew up loving the Indianapolis “500.” I have vivid memories of attending my first race in 1967. I sat in the first turn with my father and two brothers. Even though the race was halted after 18 laps because of a drenching rain that required a quarter million people to come back… Read more »
The Boston Celtics, proud winners of 16 National Basketball Association championships, are currently staggering toward the finish line of a disappointing season. Ravaged by injuries – including All-Star guard Jaylen Brown, who discovered earlier this week that he’s done for the year – the team isn’t likely to make much of a splash in the playoffs. But nothing will… Read more »
The Bible says it. I believe it. That settles it. Those are admirably bold statements. But they don’t really help us know what to do with scores of confusing, vexing, and just plain startling Bible texts. First-time readers of the Hebrew Scriptures – what Christians call the Old Testament – can be forgiven for wondering what they’ve gotten themselves into… Read more »
Observers agree that Hollywood depictions of the NASA space program are frequently off the mark when it comes to historical accuracy. Apollo 13 is an exception. Director Ron Howard’s 1995 account of America’s ill-fated third attempt to reach the moon not only received a Best Picture nomination, but is generally praised for getting things right. Approximately 56 hours into… Read more »
It’s the biggest moment of your life. It’s just you and the goalkeeper, who is standing 12 yards away. The soccer goal he or she is guarding is 24 feet across and 8 feet high. Will you hit the penalty shot that will win the World Cup for your country – eternally ensuring your place in the hearts of your… Read more »
British author and theologian C.S. Lewis once suggested that human lives are like ships on the high seas. Every ship has to address three issues. The first issue is how not to sink. That’s integrity. The second issue is how not to bump into other ships. That’s the domain of human relationships. The third issue is the most important: Why… Read more »
Samson is one of those Bible personalities who has been able to accomplish the near-impossible: make Sunday School interesting for elementary school-age boys. He was absurdly strong. His exploits were gloriously public. He singlehandedly leveled the playing field between the Israelites and their unfriendly next-door neighbors, the Philistines. But Samson’s story, which covers four chapters of the book of Judges (13-16),… Read more »
