Author Archives: St. John Studies

Can We “Idolize” the Bible?

For something to be “real” it helps if you can touch it, see it or taste it.  But can one touch faith, see faith or taste faith? Of course the answer is no.  Yet faith is an important basis of … Continue reading

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Introduction to “The Three Temptations”

Peter Gomes begins chapter two of The Good Book  with a warning: “it is not just trendy theologians or liberal Christian bishops who get into trouble over its interpretation [The Bible’s].”  We can all get into trouble.  In my previous … Continue reading

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To Read is to Interpret…

“To read is to interpret”… This goes without saying.  Anyone who reads a symbol that represents a thought is “interpreting”.  Anyone who reads this post right now is doing likewise. Peter Gomes begins Chapter 2 in his book entitled The … Continue reading

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Public, Dynamic and Living*

When someone enters the place where I worship, I often wonder what they notice first of all.  If they enter through the front of the sanctuary, there are two sets of double doors opening to the center of the church.  … Continue reading

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The Construction of the Bible…

I am a country boy who loves school.  I love paper, pencils and ink pens.  I love books, reading them, seeing them on shelves and carrying them around.  I was a kid in elementary school who ached to go to … Continue reading

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The Pastor’s Lament…

“Not long after I became a Christian, I went back to the church in which I had been raised.  Although it was considered a Christian denomination, Bible reading was never emphasized.  As I entered the front door, Bible in hand, … Continue reading

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Soli Deo Gloria

Apologia: “A formal written defense of one’s opinion or conduct.” This is the title for the front matter for Peter Gomes’ book entitled The Good Book. Since I have been a Christian, I have encountered the word apologetics and I … Continue reading

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Who Was Peter Gomes?*

He was born May 22, 1942 and passed away on February 28, 2011.  He was an American preacher and theologian, a professor at Harvard Divinity School and Minister at Harvard’s Memorial Church, highly regarded as one of America’s great preachers.  … Continue reading

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Transitioning…

How do I end a series of comments on an author’s work and begin another series?  How do I switch from one book to another or in the case of John Stott, how do I switch from two books to … Continue reading

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Authentic Slaves of the Father

The date today is January 18, 2023.  I began writing on the teachings of John Stott on October 25, 2020.  I have never commented on two books by one author at the same time, but I did that with John … Continue reading

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