Posts with the tag: Dirk Waren
Insights on Evangelism, aka “Witnessing”
Most people think evangelism only involves sharing the message of Christ and encouraging a person to say the sinner’s prayer, but—as wonderful as those may be—witnessing involves much more.
Is Christianity a “RELATIONSHIP With God”?
We’ve all heard it said that “Christianity is a relationship with God, not a religion.” Is this true? If so, what is the support for it in the Holy Scriptures, God’s blueprint for authentic Christianity?
Why did Christ decline to give “Signs on Demand”?
Matthew’s parallel account reveals that these “others” were the Pharisees and teachers of the law (Matthew 12:38). Apparently exorcising an evil spirit wasn’t good enough for them; they wanted a miraculous sign of cosmological scope, like the rearranging of the stars.
What’s the Bible Say About MARY and MARY VENERATION?
Humble Mary was “highly favored” of the LORD (Luke 1:28) and her relative Elizabeth called her “the mother of my Lord” (Luke 1:43). Moreover Mary’s inspired song says that generations from then on would call her blessed (Luke 1:48).
Nosiness and Manipulation (NOT Spiritual)
Unspiritual people have a tendency to pry into other people’s business. In other words, they have an unhealthy interest in the private affairs of others. This is nosiness and can be observed when Christ prophesied how Peter would eventually die, which prompted Peter to nosily inquire about how John would die.
Insights on Moderation
To walk in moderation concerning anything means to have a spirit of self-control that avoids excess or extremes.
Absolute Pacifism (Unbiblical) vs. Limited Pacifism (Biblical)
Should true believers never resort to violence under any circumstances whatsoever, as hardcore pacifists advocate? Did Jesus Christ support this position as these people claim? What’s the Bible say, particularly the New Testament?
How to Keep BALANCED in Every Area of Life
There are different areas to our lives—family, marital, work, devotional, ministerial, educational, recreational, fitness, social, homestead, dating, and so on. How do you recognize God’s will in these areas? And how to you achieve and maintain balance? How do you keep from being sidetracked—hindered—by things that drain your time & energy and aren’t conducive to your God-given goals?
The Issue of Eating Meat Sacrificed to Idols
Paul clearly established that eating meat sacrificed to idols was a neutral issue in the epistle of 1 Corinthians, which was written in 54-55 AD. Fifty years later John wrote in Revelation about Jesus rebuking the church at Thyatira for allowing a woman prophetess to mislead believers…
What did Jude mean about not daring to bring a Slanderous Accusation against the Devil?
The subject of the passage is established in verse 4: “godless men who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our sovereign and Lord.” That is, they deny Christ through their unrepentant immoral actions; see Titus 1:16.
Does the Bible Support a JUSTIFIABLE LIE?
Is it ever right to lie for just reasons? In other words, is lying ever justifiable? Is it the right thing to do in certain situations? The answer is, yes, the Bible does support a “justifiable lie” on rare occasions.
OFFICIAL Prophets (Ministers) and INDEPENDENT Prophets (Ministers)
Both types are good and necessary but — as with anything — each can be corrupted. When corruption enters the picture, abuse is always nearby (abuse is the misuse of power).
The NIV BIBLE — Answering the Critics
The New International Version of the Bible — aka the NIV — is the default version used in the articles, videos and books here at Fountain of Life, although other translations are quoted fairly often.
The Problem With Identity Politics—Including “Gender Identity”
It is true that individuals have the freedom to create their own realities, and not just in America, but anywhere on earth, even in a prison cell. It’s a coping mechanism that can help people endure various circumstances.
What Does “Do Not Go Beyond What is Written” Mean in 1 Corinthians 4:6?
Consider the set-up of 1 Corinthians 4:1-6: In chapter 3 Paul addresses the issue of the various teachers at the Corinth fellowship and how some believers were picking favorite minsters, which was causing division as believers were developing little sects based around their favorite teachers.
KINGDOM OF GOD — What Does It Mean?
The kingdom of God is essentially synonymous with the Church (Matthew 16:18-19), but only if “kingdom of God” is defined in a narrow sense, as in “a spiritual rule over the hearts and lives of those who willingly submit to God’s authority during this present age.”
Paul’s “Thorn” — What Was It?
As you can see, Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was a “messenger of Satan” whose purpose was to torment him. In today’s vernacular this “thorn” could be described as a pain in the neck or pain in the butt. Why was he given this thorn?
Is NAME-CALLING Ever Appropriate?
While some believers think that name-calling is inherently mean-spirited and never appropriate, there are examples of righteous name-calling in the Scriptures.
Does Matthew 16:18-19 Support the Idea of a POPE?
Catholics often cite Mathew 16:18-19 to support their belief in the earthly supremacy of the Pope as the leader of the Church, as well as the idea of papal succession. Is this accurate? What do the God-breathed Scriptures say?
What Is “BACKSLIDING”?
You’ll notice that God said “they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts.” So this is a commentary on the condition of the hearts of these particular Israelites and doesn’t mean that every person’s heart on earth is evil, which is a myth often heard in sermons.
Roman Catholicism – Is It the “Original Church”? (No)
If you’re familiar with the New Testament you know that it does not support the idea of sectarianism as far as the worldwide Church goes, i.e. the body of Christ. You see, you’re either a believer (a genuine Christian) or you’re not.
Why Is This World So Messed Up?
Everyone born into this world eventually discovers that we live in a really messed up reality, a world plagued by lies, pain, disease, aging, death, grief, immorality, perversion, confusion, corruption, injustice, abuse, hostility and war.
The SALVATION EQUATION: Faith = Salvation (+ Fruit + Works)
Unfortunately, some people have gotten off-balanced and misinterpreted it to mean that works/deeds are next to meaningless when nothing could be further from the truth.
Who Wrote the New Testament Books? Who Authorized Them as Scripture Canon?
All the Koine Greek Scriptures were written in the 1st century after the time of Christ. Here’s a list of the authors God used to write the New Testament Scriptures, followed by the texts they wrote, 27 books in total (the number following each book is the year it was written AD)…
The Jehovah’s (False) Witnesses — Why You Should HEAD FOR THE HILLS
Most of us have had (or will have) run-ins with members of the “Jehovah’s Witnesses” due to their dedicated practice of canvasing neighborhoods to acquire converts…
The Five Earths of the Bible (and the Eight Ages)
The Bible reveals five versions of the Earth through the ages with eight ages altogether. Find out what the Bible says on this fascinating topic.
Hell (Lake of Fire): Eternal Torment or Everlasting Destruction?
Traditionally, the most prominent view on eternal damnation is that people cast into hell—the lake of fire—will suffer fiery conscious torment forever and ever.
The Believer’s INTERMEDIATE STATE (Between Physical Death and Bodily Resurrection)
What does the spiritually-regenerated believer experience after physical decease and before bodily resurrection? In this article we will examine the Scriptures concerning the believer’s “intermediate state” between physical death and bodily resurrection.
FAITH — What Is It? Why Is It Important? How Does It Grow?
Faith is so important because it’s impossible to please God without it. What exactly is faith?
Spirit of the World — What is It?
The same Greek word for “world” in 1 Corinthians 2:12 is also used in Ephesians 2:2. “The ruler of the air, the spirit who in now at work in those who are disobedient” would be satan and, by extension, his filthy spirits.