The Eye of the Needle: The Universe Shouldn’t Exist (Part 1)
Major Theme: The Intelligent Design and Fine-Tuning of the Universe (Part 1).Scripture Foundation: Psalm 19:1, Isaiah 40:12, Colossians 1:17, Hebrews 11:3. Editor’s Note: This post explores the intersection of modern physics and biblical creation, focusing on the precision-tuned nature of our universe. This post contains references to the Big Bang Theory, which we are NOT…
The Eye of the Needle: Introduction — Where the Impossible Becomes Possible
We live in a universe that, by every law of probability, should not exist. If you were to look at the cold, hard mathematics of our reality, you would find yourself staring at a series of “Eye of the Needle” moments—narrow passages where the odds of failure were so absolute that only a Divine hand…
Why Jesus? Understanding the Divine Necessity of the Cross
Major Theme: The Divine Necessity of the Substitutionary Atonement.Scripture Foundation: Romans 3:23-26, Hebrews 9:22, Isaiah 53:5-6, 1 Peter 2:24. To the casual observer, the Cross of Calvary often seems like a tragic end to a good teacher’s life. To the seeker, it may seem like an unnecessarily violent way for God to handle the problem…
The Apostle Paul’s Case for Eternal Security: Why Salvation is a Settled Matter
Major Theme: The consistent, multi-faceted doctrine of eternal security through the writings of the Apostle Paul.Scripture Foundation: Romans 8:38-39, Ephesians 1:13-14, 2 Timothy 1:12, Romans 5:1. One of the greatest mistakes a student of the Bible can make is “proof-texting”—pulling a single verse out of context to support a personal theory. However, when we look…
Can I Ever Be Sure? How to Have 100% Certainty of Heaven
Major Theme: The biblical assurance of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.Scripture Foundation: 1 John 5:13, John 10:28, John 3:36. For many Christians, the afterlife remains a source of deep anxiety, even though they are believers. They live in a state of “hope so” or “maybe,” wondering if they have done enough, prayed enough,…
Is Christianity a Religion or a Relationship? The Difference Between Rules and Rescue
Major Theme: The contrast between human religious effort and the finished work of Jesus Christ.Scripture Foundation: Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5, Romans 10:3-4. The Burden of “DO” vs. The Blessing of “DONE” Many seekers today turn away from Christianity because they perceive it as a heavy yoke of “do’s and don’ts.” They see a system of…
Hymn Spotlight: In Christ Alone
Hymn Name: In Christ AloneWriter: Keith Getty and Stuart TownendComposer: Keith Getty and Stuart TownendDate Written: 2001Major Theme: The sufficiency of Christ; The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus; Eternal security in Him. The Story Behind the Song “In Christ Alone” was the first collaboration between Keith Getty and Stuart Townend. Getty had a melody…
Hymn Spotlight: Be Thou My Vision
Hymn Name: Be Thou My VisionWriter: Dallán Forgaill (attributed); translated by Mary E. Byrne and Eleanor HullComposer: Traditional Irish Melody (“Slane”)Date Written: 8th Century (Old Irish); translated 1905/1912Major Theme: God’s sovereignty; Spiritual focus; Christ as our ultimate treasure and vision. The Story Behind the Song “Be Thou My Vision” (Bí Thusa ‘mo Shúile) is one…
Hymn Spotlight: Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
Hymn Name: Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)Writer: John Newton (Original), Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio (New Bridge)Composer: Traditional American Melody (“New Britain”), Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio (New Bridge)Date Written: 1772 (Original), 2006 (New Bridge)Major Theme: Freedom from sin; The overwhelming power of God’s grace to break every chain. The Story Behind the Song…
Hymn Spotlight: Amazing Grace
Hymn Name: Amazing GraceWriter: John NewtonComposer: Traditional American Melody (“New Britain”)Date Written: 1772 (published 1779)Major Theme: Redemption; Divine mercy; The transformation of a lost soul through grace. The Story Behind the Song The story of “Amazing Grace” is inseparable from the life of its author, John Newton. Newton spent his early years as a rebellious…
Hymn Spotlight: The Power of the Cross
Hymn Name: The Power of the Cross (Oh, To See The Dawn)Writer: Keith Getty and Stuart TownendComposer: Keith Getty and Stuart TownendDate Written: 2005Major Theme: Substitutionary atonement; The “Great Exchange” of our sin for Christ’s righteousness. The Story Behind the Song Written in 2005, “The Power of the Cross” was born from a desire to…
Hymn Spotlight: It Is Well With My Soul
Hymn Name: It Is Well With My SoulWriter: Horatio SpaffordComposer: Philip BlissDate Written: 1873Major Theme: Peace in the midst of suffering; The sufficiency of Christ. The Story Behind the Song The background of this hymn is one of the most poignant in Christian history. Horatio Spafford was a prominent Chicago lawyer and a close friend…