In Colossians 2 Paul begins a section on baptism by mentioning circumcision. He makes a puzzling reference to a circumcision not made with hands. This is curious because by definition circumcision is something done "with hands," in particular, the cutting off and removal of a section of skin from a male human. How, especially in the first century AD, could anyone accomplish this without hands? What is Paul talking about? In Ephesians 2 Paul also mentions circumcision in a ver

“Whatever you want men to do to you do you also to them, “ Matt. 7:12. These words of Jesus are known as the Golden Rule of Christianity. “Blessed are the peacemakers,” Matt. 5:9 is another statement of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount. Paul instructed Christians, in Rom. 12:17-19, “Repay no one evil for evil . . . If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath.” Christians ar

Chapters 23 and 24 of Joshua contain his farewell address to the nation of Israel. In that address Joshua recounts the history of Israel from before they were a nation, and in fact before the birth of Abraham. Joshua brings the history all the way to the current situation Israel was then facing, the process of taking possession of the promised land of Canaan and God living up to His promises of overcoming their enemies and giving them the land. At the conclusion of the histor

At this point in my life, it must be said that I am much closer to finishing than I am to starting. That is a sobering point to reach. I can remember during my college years an occasion when several of my friends and I had decided to go to Ma’s Truck Stop late at night for some biscuits and gravy and hash browns. Every one seemed to be dithering around, wasting time, and I was ready to be there. I said, “Come on guys. I’ve only got 60 more years to live.” I meant to be faceti