Over 3,000 years ago, King Solomon wrote poignantly about his life and about the purpose and meaning of life in general ?under the sun.? His observations could be an appropriate epitaph for Hugh Hefner, the founder of the Playboy empire:
Dr. Eckman leads in-depth discussion of how we are free in Christ, specifically freedom from the bondage of sin. He also details 4 factors in a life of such freedom, as written by Peter.
Hezbollah, a Lebanese militia founded in the 1980s, has been an ongoing nemesis for Israel on its northern border. It has fought brief conflicts with Israel (most recently in 2006) and has amassed an arsenal of rockets all aimed at Israeli cities and settlements. But over the last five years, Hezbollah has expanded its operations and is no longer merely a Lebanese militia; it has become a regional power of import in the Middle East. Perhaps more importantly, it has become one of the key instruments of Iran in building a powerful Shiite corridor from Iran to the Mediterranean.
Peter continues his call of submission to God, bringing order, stability, and good spiritual health, which truly frees the believer to live a rich & fulfilling life.
It is time in American civilization to recognize the self-destructive nature of both public policy and private behavior when it comes to the institution of marriage, the first institution God created (see Genesis 2:18-25). It is without question an institution in trouble. In this Perspective, I hope to address the institution itself in terms of history and then suggest a biblical theology of marriage.
Peter reminds us of who we are because of Jesus: a chosen people, part of the royal priesthood & a Holy Nation, and belonging to a new Family. This brings about change & transformation into a life of submission to Him.
I have been involved with the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW) since I took a few post-doctoral classes at what was then Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. One of those classes was taught by Dr. Wayne Grudem, one of America?s foremost theologians and New Testament scholars. He is a founder and leader of CBMW. . . (which) has just released The Nashville Statement, a statement on ?biblical sexuality.? Denny Burk, president of CBMW, declared that ?the aim of The Nashville Statement is to shine a light into the darkness?to declare the goodness of God?s design in our sexuality and in creating us as male and female.?
When I was in graduate school, the reigning view of the future was the domination of Japan economically and financially ?in Asia and in the West. There was the fear of Japan buying more and more American real estate, of overwhelming American automobile makers and American electronics firms. Rarely do you hear of those projections anymore. Rather, it is China as the future economic, financial and military power of Asia?and of the world. China is positioning itself as the next superpower. In the words of Judith Shapiro, ?the Chinese era is upon us.?
I recently read Rod Dreher?s somewhat challenging and provocative book, The Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation. From my vantage point, Dreher?s analysis of North American culture and specifically the evangelical church is spot on. He writes: ?The most pressing problem Christianity faces is not in politics. It?s in parishes. It?s with the pastors. Most of all, it?s among an increasingly faithless people.? The truth is Christianity is declining in the United States. He makes the following observations, supported by statistical data and other pieces of evidence:
Peter is laying out that in the New Covenant, we are the new Temple & the new Priests, plus excellent side discussion on ‘human responsibility’ vs ‘divine sovereignty’.
