If there’s such a thing as the Most Disappointing Verse in the Bible, Revelation 21:1 just might be the one. John the evangelist reports a breathtaking glimpse of heaven in chapter 21 of the Bible’s last book. Verse four gets a lot of press, and deservedly so: “[God] will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more… Read more »
Rachel Pine was flying from Los Angeles to New York City. She noticed that the flight crew looked unusually harried. When the flight attendant came by to see if she had fastened her seatbelt, Rachel reached into her package of Fig Newtons. “Would you like one?” she asked. The flight attendant gratefully received the snack. Rachel recalls that she almost seemed… Read more »
Elijah the prophet experienced one of the Bible’s most memorable spiritual highs. In a public contest pitting Yahweh vs. Baal, he singlehanded stared down hundreds of false prophets and won, on God’s behalf, a resounding victory. Imagine what a rush it would be to stand up in a contentious Town Hall meeting in the 21st century and say, “Just in… Read more »
Sometimes the greatest public victories are followed by the most demoralizing personal collapses. It happened to Elijah – arguably a unanimous first ballot inductee if they ever open a Hebrew Prophet Hall of Fame. In I Kings 18, this scraggly-looking “mountain man” stands all by himself against the vilest monarchs in ancient Israel. King Ahab and his wife Jezebel have… Read more »
Bible commentator Dale Bruner, trying to describe “the deep grace of God for a flawed human race,” says there is one illustration that has helped him more than any other. It comes from Dr. Richard Selzer’s experience as a surgeon, as reported in his book Mortal Lessons. Selzer writes: I stand by the bed where a young woman lies, her… Read more »
As a native of the Hoosier capitol, I grew up loving the Indianapolis “500.” I have vivid memories of attending my first race in 1967. I sat in the first turn with my father and two brothers. Even though the race was halted after 18 laps because of a drenching rain that required a quarter million people to come back… Read more »
The Boston Celtics, proud winners of 16 National Basketball Association championships, are currently staggering toward the finish line of a disappointing season. Ravaged by injuries – including All-Star guard Jaylen Brown, who discovered earlier this week that he’s done for the year – the team isn’t likely to make much of a splash in the playoffs. But nothing will… Read more »
The Bible says it. I believe it. That settles it. Those are admirably bold statements. But they don’t really help us know what to do with scores of confusing, vexing, and just plain startling Bible texts. First-time readers of the Hebrew Scriptures – what Christians call the Old Testament – can be forgiven for wondering what they’ve gotten themselves into… Read more »
Observers agree that Hollywood depictions of the NASA space program are frequently off the mark when it comes to historical accuracy. Apollo 13 is an exception. Director Ron Howard’s 1995 account of America’s ill-fated third attempt to reach the moon not only received a Best Picture nomination, but is generally praised for getting things right. Approximately 56 hours into… Read more »
It’s the biggest moment of your life. It’s just you and the goalkeeper, who is standing 12 yards away. The soccer goal he or she is guarding is 24 feet across and 8 feet high. Will you hit the penalty shot that will win the World Cup for your country – eternally ensuring your place in the hearts of your… Read more »