For many years I have heard the name Maria Woodworth Etter. I first heard about her at a Kenneth Hagin conference on healing at Rhema Bible School in Oklahoma in 1983. I heard the story about her being in a …
The Myth of Recent Origins for the Theology of the Restoration of Israel
The catalyst for this article was my search for a piece on the views of the Wesleys — the founders of Methodism — on the Jewish people and their restoration. A very good article by Asbury Seminary professor Nicholas Railton, …
Why I Avoid Teaching a Detailed Scenario on the Last Days and Today’s Wars in the Middle East
The doctrine of the last days, or eschatology, is an important study in biblical theology. There is now an overwhelming consensus in biblical scholarship that the last days began in the first century with the coming of Yeshua—His ministry, death, …
Israel’s Restoration, Historic Protestant Teaching
Arguing Against the Election of Ethnic Israel by Refuting Dispensationalism Most proponents of supersessionism—the doctrine that Israel is re-defined after the first century and consists only of those who follow Yeshua—hold that ethnic Israel is no longer elect. Some call …
Charismatic Ministerial Betrayal
This has been a painful few years for me. The extent of ministerial betrayal among charismatic ministers, especially among those emphasizing supernatural power and accurate prophecy, has been more than disappointing. I do not believe that sin among charismatic ministers …
Blessing and the Cursing
I recently bought a book that was, of all things, advertised in the Jerusalem Post. How this ad got into the Post is a mystery. The Jewish author was totally negative toward Judaism and Rabbinic leadership throughout the centuries and …
Partnership for Israel Ministries and the Middle-Man Organizations
When I was visiting Israel in the 1990s, I heard a statement that was quite sad: “Those who do can, and those who cannot raise funds.” This statement reflected the view of congregational leaders who were doing the hard work …
Separation of Church and State — Again
This follows an earlier article. Readers should understand that my position is informed first by the Bible, then by the Reformed Protestant consensus that influenced the early formation of the United States constitutional system, and finally by the history of …
Shlomo Riskin, Judaism: A Love Story
Riskin’s Life Shlomo Riskin is an impressive rabbi. He is in his mid-80s now and has had a stellar career. He was trained as an Orthodox Jewish rabbi and was, for a season, the rabbi of the flagship and famous …
The Theology of Hymns
The Bible’s DetractorsDetractors claim that the Bible presents us with a cruel God, even a sadistic God, and that biblical faith is evil. This is because they read texts about the command of Israel to wipe out different ethnic groups …