Author Archive for: ‘carlmedearis’
The Bible: Is It Really That Complex?
Here is an essay introduction I wrote to the book of II Thessalonians for the recently released Jesus Centered Bible. **** First, a confession… I have no idea what “the man of lawlessness” referenced in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 is all about. This mysterious phrase is …
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What Have We Handcuffed to Jesus?
I like all my books. Really I do. Periodically, someone will ask me what book that I’ve written is my favorite. And, it is kind of like asking which of my kids is my favorite. After all, each was birthed through a fairly intense labor process …
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How Do We Really “Spread the Good News”?
Here is an essay introduction I wrote to the book of I Thessalonians for the recently released Jesus Centered Bible. **** Jesus in I Thessalonians More than I’ve seen in my lifetime, people in the church are divided over how we should most effectively spread …
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Jesus and Jeremiah: The Weeping Prophets
Charles Spurgeon, speaking to a young pastor, once said: “Don’t you know, young man, that from every town, and every village, and every little hamlet in England, wherever it may be, there is a road to London? And so from every text in Scripture there …
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Israel: A Homeland for All Jews?
Brian Newman is a good friend. I know him. I trust him. He’s 100% Jewish and yet believes that Jesus of Nazareth was and is the Messiah that many Jews are still waiting for. He doesn’t think of himself as “Christian.” He’s Jewish. Brian’s heart …
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How I Read the Bible
First, I open it and then I….ok, sorry. Just being silly. But honestly, I think we sometimes take some really important things for granted, things that seem simple, and we don’t really consider why we do what we do. We may assume that enjoying and …
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Why Franklin Graham and not Iran?
I’m pretty hard on America, our military, Christians (evangelicals in particular), Republicans and white people. So if you’re a white, American, male, evangelical Christian, Republican, pro-military leader – watch out. I’m gonna pick on you! And, oddly enough, I’m going to go the extra mile …
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An Open Letter to Franklin Graham
An Open Letter to Franklin Graham Your father is my hero. #1 on a long list of potential heroes. I’m sure it gets tiring being compared to him. But I think you’re stuck – you’re his son. I don’t know you personally, Franklin. I admire …
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Terrorists, Gay Weddings, and the Confederate Flag
As a follow up to my blog a couple days ago about the urgent need for wise nuance – I write today in light of three major news stories now unfolding. I want to be able to discern the difference between terrorists who act in …
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Living in Tension
Why can’t we live in tension? In a place of nuance. Jesus seemed to constantly navigate those waters. One minute he’s calling one of his religious leaders a son of the devil and the next welcoming a prostitute or a tax collector. He says BOTH …
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