Category Archive: STUMBLING BLOCKS

The scandalous cross

It’s like wearing a tiny electric chair on a chain. That’s how a pastor at our church once described the offense of the cross of Jesus Christ. He was talking about how something… Continue reading

Logic makes me question, but also leads me to the answer

I can’t see him. I can’t hear him. I can’t touch him. Is it surprising that I might have some difficulty believing he exists? I’ve been a Christ follower for more than 37… Continue reading

The scandalous mercy of God

Raising ten children meant my parents had to be intentional about seeking a balance between meeting the individual needs of each of us kids without appearing to favor any. I’m sure the scales… Continue reading

The scandalous mercy of God

Raising ten children meant my parents had to be intentional about seeking a balance between meeting the individual needs of each of us kids without appearing to favor any. I’m sure the scales… Continue reading

#2 On the fairness and fire-ness of hell

My views on this post went up exponentially after COVID first hit. A lot of people were suddenly awakened to the reality of their mortality. “What are you in for?” The convicted serial… Continue reading

#5 God as Master Puppeteer

Coming in at number five of my top ten posts in my ten years as a blogger is this one on the doctrines of predestination and election….part of my series on barriers to… Continue reading

The problem of suffering, objectively speaking

“Let’s be objective,” is a recommendation a mediator might make to opposing parties, or a father to a child who feels she’s been wronged. Objectivity is the perspective which allows one to evaluate… Continue reading

Do Christians consume Christ?

…where I seek to provide some food for thought from Jesus’ Bread of Life discourse in John 6. Are Christians cannibals? Some curious first-century onlookers thought so. The word was going around that… Continue reading

What about the unreached? Part 3

This matter of how one is saved is like a priceless gem that must be handled very carefully, and that has made me a little hesitant to make truth claims about it. My… Continue reading

What about the unreached? Part 2

Before I continue I need to emphasize that I am expressing my own views on the doctrine of salvation and do not represent any particular denomination or church. I freely admit that I… Continue reading

What about the unreached?

“A god who condemns an Amazonian tribesman who never even had a chance to hear of him to an eternity of suffering is not worthy of being worshipped.” The heart of the the… Continue reading

On the fairness and fire-ness of hell

“What are you in for?” The convicted serial burglar crossed his tattooed arms behind his head as he lay back on his bunk and examined his new roommate. He always thought it best… Continue reading

If God exists, Dorian doesn’t

If God exists, Dorian doesn’t. Period. It’s that simple to many atheists and others skeptical of the notion that an all-loving, all-powerful God would permit great suffering. With each new natural disaster or… Continue reading

Why hell will be hellish

Will there be love in hell? I tend to think not. If hell is eternal separation from God, and God is love, then it seems to follow that hell is a place without… Continue reading

Thank God for this pain?

“God…you’re so good. You’re so good to me. You’ve never failed me yet.” Sometimes when I’m joining my voice to others’ in worship, as I did yesterday at church singing these words, I… Continue reading