Old western movies employed the hat-color device: good guys wore white hats and bad guys wore black hats. There is even a Wikipedia page discussing the trope.[1] But the reality is not always so simple, particularly in the Bible. These are real people, not fictional characters, and the heroes seem to let us down atContinue reading “Heroes and Villains. Jeremiah 42:19-22.”
Category Archives: Bible Heroes
The Fear of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 28:15.
Image: the famous “Earthrise” photo captured by the crew of Apollo 8 on Christmas Eve, 1968. Part One: a Challenge to Put Some Effort into Your Bible Reading. Most of us believe we ought to read the Bible. Many of us start. But finishing is a real challenge and a significant accomplishment. The Good Book,Continue reading “The Fear of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 28:15.”
He Tells the Best Stories. Esther 7:9.
Everyone loves a great storyteller—and there is none greater than God himself. But the Bible is not an easy read. There are not only language challenges but also the way we tell stories has changed significantly in the last four thousand years. But the best readers can get past such challenges, and the rest ofContinue reading “He Tells the Best Stories. Esther 7:9.”
The Bible: an Epic Adventure About a Hero Who Rescues His People! Judges 15:11.
Samson Bringing Down the Temple of Dagon, by Gustave Dore, wood engraving, 1866. Samson is the Bible’s superhero, with hair for a cape. This man can do incredible things. The Holy Spirit gave him super-human strength: “and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him” Judges 14:6. But Samson’s motives were poor. He wasContinue reading “The Bible: an Epic Adventure About a Hero Who Rescues His People! Judges 15:11.”
THE ROLL CALL OF THE FAITHFUL. Hebrews 11:2-38.
Are you familiar with Hebrews 11? Hebrews 11 is known as “the Faith Chapter” for its litany of people who lived by faith—people whose lives should inspire us. It is one of the great chapters of the Bible that everyone should know. It begins with a definition of faith: “the reality of what is hopedContinue reading “THE ROLL CALL OF THE FAITHFUL. Hebrews 11:2-38.”
ROLL CALL. Hebrews 11: 32-38.
A fun way to study the Bible is to learn the popular parts. What would you put on the list? Psalm 23 is huge: “The Lord is my shepherd….” And Genesis chapter 1:”In the beginning, God created….” John chapter 1: “In the beginning was the Word….” There’s 1 Corinthians 13—the “love” chapter. There’s Ecclesiastes 3:1-8Continue reading “ROLL CALL. Hebrews 11: 32-38.”
SAINTS AND SINNERS: WHO IS THE ULTIMATE? Ezekiel 14:13-16.
Adolf Hitler is the go-to guy. He is everyone’s “favorite.” We keep the name ‘Hitler’ in our back pocket as an example of the worst person who ever lived. His name comes up this way in conversations every day: “Well, if you had Hitler on the one side and Ghandi on the other—” “My EnglishContinue reading “SAINTS AND SINNERS: WHO IS THE ULTIMATE? Ezekiel 14:13-16.”
Household Words: 