Author Archives: St. John Studies

What is an interlude?

Posted on December 17, 2024 by St. John Studies

What is an interlude?  Some define it as an “intervening period of time” or “something done during an interval.”  I would call it a recess, a pause, a respite or a halt.  In Preston Sprinkle’s book People to be Loved:  … Continue reading →

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It Is Just Not That Simple…

Posted on November 20, 2024 by St. John Studies

Here is the circular argument of nature vs. nurture regarding homosexuality.   “If someone is born gay, then God must have made them that way, and if God made them that way, then being gay must be okay.” [Also known as … Continue reading →

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Malakoi and Arsenokoites

Posted on November 3, 2024 by St. John Studies

Here is a very familiar lament: why don’t Christians read their Bibles more?  The excuses are so numerous: the language is too hard, The Book is too old and not relevant today, I’m too busy, I can’t get my mind … Continue reading →

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Does He Make A Good Argument? Part 2

Posted on October 24, 2024 by St. John Studies

I am not a pastor.  I have family members who are.  I have close friends who are but I have never personally felt the “call” to enter the ministry.  I know it is a challenging vocation, leading a church, interpreting … Continue reading →

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Does He Make A Good Argument? Part 1

Posted on October 15, 2024 by St. John Studies

On June 27, 2024, I posted my final evaluation of Peter Gomes’ effort to affirm the role of the same-sex person in the Christian church.  That post was entitled “Does He Make a Good Argument.”  I have reached the end … Continue reading →

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Answering Objections: “The God I Worship is the God of Love”

Posted on September 19, 2024 by St. John Studies

Chapter 12 of Kevin DeYoung’s book What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality deals with the “feeling” element of the discussion of homosexuality’s role in the Christian church.  He admits that this issue is not going away.  I agree. … Continue reading →

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Answering Objections: “It’s Not Fair”

Posted on September 3, 2024 by St. John Studies

As I draw closer to the conclusion of my discussion of homosexuality in the church, I find myself discussing the very personal response to this issue in Kevin DeYoung’s book What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality.  That personal … Continue reading →

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Answering Objections: “The Church is Supposed to be a Place for Broken People.”

Posted on August 20, 2024 by St. John Studies

The church is supposed to be a place for broken people. Succinct statements like that come from Christians who try to encapsulate the role of the church for society today.  Also these thoughts can come from non-believers who like to … Continue reading →

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Don’t Lose Sight…

Posted on August 19, 2024 by St. John Studies

From time to time, I must take the time to let any reader who reads this blog know what is happening in the discussion. On February 2, 2023 I began an ambitious project to discuss an issue that [at that … Continue reading →

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Answering Objections: “What about Gluttony and Divorce?”

Posted on August 11, 2024 by St. John Studies

I have always had a fascination with debate, argument and persuasion.  When I was a community college professor, I had classes in speaking and I coached a speech team.  I had a graduate class in debate and more than one … Continue reading →

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