Tag Archives: practical theology

What Flavors of Snake Oil Have You Tasted?

Posted on February 9, 2014 by grahamAlive

It seems like everybody has an answer for what ails. A cursory glance at the news  reveals a shocking variety of modern snake oils. In parts of Africa, widows are taught that they need and must pay for sex-cleansing by … Continue reading →

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Truth Be Told: Blinded By the Light. 4

Posted on January 1, 2014 by grahamAlive

It is like what happens on those long, late night trips, where the eyes grow weary of the monotonous yellow lines zipping by on the road, and then a car crests the hill just ahead and blinds you with their … Continue reading →

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Truth Be Told: The Hinge Point of Revelation. 3

Posted on December 21, 2013 by grahamAlive

One of the ironies of human language is that the word truth cannot be truly defined or found in any dictionary. God won’t allow it. This is not simply because the One who is Truth cannot be fully fathomed, though … Continue reading →

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Willfully vs Knowledgeably: a biblical distinction

Posted on July 13, 2013 by grahamAlive

You knew what you were doing. Is that being willful or knowledgeable? There is a difference, at least as far as how Scripture deals with human free will. As my family discovered as we read through another section of Claiming … Continue reading →

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You Cannot Be My Disciple

Posted on March 12, 2013 by grahamAlive

Conditions, conditions, conditions. Why does Jesus put so many conditions on being Christian? Doesn’t he realize that such an idea is contrary to Protestantism? It is not easy accepting Scripture for what it says. Verse after verse, in our devotional … Continue reading →

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A Thief In The Night

Posted on February 16, 2013 by grahamAlive

If you had inside information that your house was about to be broken into, you would get yourself ready to repel such an attack. In a shocking comparison, Jesus gives insider information on his imminent and surprising return, and suggests … Continue reading →

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Forced Priorities: Hard Choices Between Good and Also Good

Posted on February 5, 2013 by grahamAlive

Whether in ethics classes or as portrayed in movies, it has become popular to challenge our societal goodness glands with impossible scenarios. Your best friend clings helplessly over a precipice, while 45 commuters race toward their death; whichever you help, … Continue reading →

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The Lies of Legalism

Posted on January 8, 2013 by grahamAlive

Having grown up in a very legalistic environment, I am well acquainted with the effects of legalism as well as the sting of criticisms by those who slapped such a label upon me. Legalism is a dirty word. It causes … Continue reading →

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Christian Hypocrisy

Posted on November 28, 2012 by grahamAlive

Perhaps the most common criticism of Christians, by those vaguely familiar with biblical ideals, involves accusations of hypocrisy. But did you know that God says the same thing about many of those who claim to follow him? Our family devotional … Continue reading →

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I Should Have Known Better

Posted on October 23, 2012 by grahamAlive

How often we kick ourselves after-the-fact. When things don’t turn out as we desire, and we are reminded that we should have known better, we find that sinking feeling in the pit of our stomach. It was an uncomfortable introduction, … Continue reading →

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