Posts with the tag “mcguckin”

Throughout the past three years, there has been a mass exodus of students out of the public school system. In fact, recent studies estimate 1.2 million K-12 students have left the public school system since 2020 (Spector, 2023). There are many speculations for this change: some parents are disgruntled with the public school system’s handling of COVID-19, others are seeking to protect their student...  Read More

What does it mean to give your time to God? Is it a matter of quantity? Is it a matter of filling time in order to fulfill a religious requirement? What is the standard by which we determine a good usage of time?It is the same standard that we use for everything in our Christian life and practice. What does the Scripture say? Paul dictates in Ephesians 5:15-16: “Look carefully then how you walk, n...  Read More

Our church has been going through a study recently that has as its central focus decision making according to Christian principles. The study aims to polemically address a false teaching that depends upon new, unauthoritative revelation from the Holy Spirit for decision making. In its place, a Biblical theology of decision making may supplant the heterodox orthodoxy, that is commonplace heresy, so...  Read More

The phrase “being born again” has been thrown around by Christians in American society for decades; yet the popular understanding of what it means is an unfortunately grave misunderstanding. It is not a mechanistic phenomenon spurred by placing oneself in the right environment. The aim of this essay is to inform the reader of what this theological concept actually entails, which will be done through a short exposition of John 3:1-18. The opening verses of this passage start with a discourse from Nicodemus praising Christ as a man of God, yet Christ, knowing the mind of man, answers the question that Nicodemus had merely thought(The ESV Study Bible 2008). The question of this Sanhedrin member was: How does one enter the kingdom of God? This is of no small interest given that one of the leading Jewish leaders of the day was confused as to how a person even receives redemption. However, our gracious Lord answers Nicodemus’ simple question, just the same, for his benefit and for the benefit of all future generations. Christ’s answer is aptly summarized as: You enter the kingdom of God through belief in Christ preceded by a work of the Holy Spirit. Given the counter-cultural understanding evoked by such a statement, this explanation requires elaboration. Fortunately, the text records this elaboration with such clarity as to stop the mouths of those who would replace this doctrine with one of their own making.  Read More

Romans 1:18-32 is admittedly a difficult text, not to comprehend its meaning but to accept what Paul is teaching. If the reader had the privilege of reading the last article, they would have gleaned that sin creates a chasm between us and God, which is a commonsensical understanding in light of an honest assessment of whom men and women are according to their own consciences. Romans 1:18-32 also involves itself with what is known offhand; yet, it takes this concept further into the mire of sin’s separation, so that it is known to what degree God hates sin and with what eagerness mankind commits it.  Read More