WHAT AM I? Am I purely biological? Am I body and mind? Am I a soul captured by some dust? Am I the same person as I was ten years ago, even though my physical appearance, my character, and my preferences are different now? Will I cease to exist at death? What is a human?…
UNDERSTANDING THE CHRIST-CENTERED METAPHYSICS OF COLOSSIANS What is real? Nothing? Perceptions? Material things? The eternal? The question of ultimate reality is generally referred to as the question of metaphysics. This is often discussed as the problem of the one and the many. While discussions in metaphysics often debate whether reality is about the one or…
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published a couple of years ago in our FRC denominational magazine, “The Messenger.” It was directed at parents, but is very applicable to young people (and it might be good for all of you to read it from their perspective :)). It was written by two members (and mothers)…
My daughter in love Life covered in roses Sweet fluttering heart fooled By this one who proposes No Genuine spirit To be found in the lad A flourish of kindness For a lifetime of bad I witness the wilds Of an eloquent user Today opening doors Tomorrow abuser She sees delight Where…
UNDERSTANDING THE CHRIST-CENTERED EPISTEMOLOGY OF COLOSSIANS “How do I know?” is usually called the epistemological question. Epistemology is the study of, “the nature and scope of knowledge, its presuppositions and basis, and the general reliability of claims to knowledge.”1 What Paul says Paul’s basic response to, “How do I know?” is that when we…
HOW DOES PAUL’S ARGUMENT IN COLOSSIANS RELATE TO PHILOSOPHY? Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (Col. 2:8) Every time one verse or passage becomes the center of a large discussion, it is imperative to ask…
Many Christians have warned against the perils of philosophy, arguing that it is, at best, human speculation.1 These people often quote Paul’s warning to the church at Colosse: “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Col.…
From the Editor: About a year and a half ago Dr. David Murray made a questionnaire with 29 questions to help you figure out how addicted you are to everything digital. Here it is again (below). Challenge a friend to complete this with you. Or bring it home and show it to your family and see…
Calling all Young People! An elder in the URC churches is taking a survery—and he wants you to participate. The survey is anonymous, takes 1 and 1/2 minutes (or less), and is on the use and view of marijuana. He’s hoping he can get many young people between the ages of 15 and 30 to…
First I have to say to you all: Congratulations! Your “Ask a Pastor” questions have completely overwhelmed us pastors and have now officially become a backlog, a logjam, a complete gridlock. However you want to call it, the list of questions is long, and the list of pastors to answer them… well, not so long.…
