Continued discussion of Saul’s conversion from a Jewish leader who persecuted Christians, to a believer proclaim Jesus as the Messiah.

Last year (2017) we celebrated the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his 95 Theses to the Castle Church door in Wittenberg, Germany, thereby beginning the Protestant Reformation. Most historians agree that one of the contributing causes of both the appeal and the subsequent spread of Protestantism was a crisis of confidence within the Catholic Church: corruption, immorality, nepotism, simony and other factors which describe a decadent church out of touch with its people. In many ways, a similar crisis of confidence is brewing within the Roman Catholic Church today.

For most of human history the decision to have children was a given. Unless there were infertility problems, it was natural and expected that a couple would have children. But with the emergence of birth control options (e.g., pharmaceutical products and devices, as well as abortion) the choice to not have children is a viable one.

Phillip’s actions at Samaria show how everyone is equal at the cross; Simon seeks the Holy Spirit for ungenuine purposes; Phillip preaches on the Gaza Road.

The death of John McCain on 25 August 2018 appropriately led to a series of memorial services in his home state of Arizona and then in our nation’s capital. Because he was a naval hero, he was buried at the US Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, Maryland. Few people in American history deserve the title “hero” but John McCain is certainly one of those.

In June, the United States withdrew from the United Nations Human Rights Council, which UN Ambassador Nikki Haley described as “a protector of human-rights abusers, and a cesspool of political bias.”  This UN Council is quite frankly a sham.  Aaron Rhodes, author of The Debasement of Human Rights: How Politics Sabotage the Ideal of Freedom,
[continue reading…]

Luke writes on dividing up the work & duties of Church leadership; the disciple Stephen is accused of blasphemy by Jewish priests.

Discussion of God’s swift judgement on matters of deceit; As the church grows, the apostle preach at the temple and endure persecution as they proclaim God’s Word.

The technology of the 21st century has transformed entertainment and leisure-time choices for the typical American. The gaming industry in America has raised significant concerns for modern psychology. Hollywood has taken the 20th century Marvel comic book and transformed it into a lucrative movie brand that is nothing short of astonishing. What does this tell us about American civilization in the early years of the 21st century?

Dr Eckman discusses the bold healing & preaching of Peter & John; the apostles face persecution, as unity & numbers in the Church grow.