A memorable Trinity Sunday sermon
My first year as a pastor was coming to an end, and I was working on a sermon for Trinity Sunday. There was just one problem: I had writer’s block. I could not...
Appreciating the clouds
A cloudy day or a sunny day? What would you rather have? I think most people would choose a sunny day. If that is you, I am hoping that by the end of this column...
One little word
The title of this article can get you thinking about Martin Luther’s Reformation hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” (Christian Worship 863/864). The third...
“You came to visit me”
“I was sick, and you looked after me as part of your congregation’s visitation ministry. I was in prison, and you came to visit me in connection with your congregation’s...
Preachers and listeners
Serving as a vacancy pastor recently put me behind a pulpit on a weekly basis. It had been quite a while since I prepared sermons with that degree of regularity....
What to know before you go
If you read issues of Forward in Christ like a Hebrew Bible—from back to front—the title of this column will not make much sense. On the other hand, if you read...
Hands off the Bible!
The Bible is God’s Word. He doesn’t want us to pick and choose what we believe. There are few acts in the Bible more brazen than this one by Jehoiakim, the...
Light for our path: Does God hate us?
My friend believes that God hates us. He argues that God hates sin, and we are sinful; therefore, God hates us to the core of our being. I pointed out John 3:16...
What I learned by answering questions
After six years, the author of the “Light for our path” column shares his insights. James F. Pope Six years ago, I knew my life was going to change. What I could...
Light for our path: What kind of comfort can you give someone when a loved one commits suicide?
What kind of comfort can you give someone when a loved one commits suicide, who was supposedly a believer? James F. Pope Your question addresses a very tragic situation....
Light for our path: What does a submissive wife in a Christian marriage look like?
What does a submissive wife in a Christian marriage look like? James F. Pope While Scripture provides the definitive answer, I also will be passing along excerpts—in...
Light for our path: Is it a sin to want to die from a terminal illness?
I am dealing with a terminal illness and am tired of the suffering and pain this is causing me and my family. I am scared to die, but is it a sin to want to...
Light for our path: What advice can you give about applauding in church?
Recently our congregation has begun applauding the singing groups in our worship services. This offends some people. If we discouraged applauding, others would...
Light for our path: Can you please explain Matthew 5:20?
Can you please explain Matthew 5:20 in relation to the doctrine of salvation by faith alone? I have always understood the doctrine of faith alone to mean that someone...
Light for our path: What is karma?
What is karma? How is it different than “reaping what you sow”? Is it okay to use the term in conversation? James F. Pope We do hear that word karma frequently...
Light for our path: Can the devil personally be tempting me and a lot of other people at exactly the same time?
Can the devil personally be tempting me and a lot of other people at exactly the same time? Your question leads us to look in Scripture and examine how the devil...
Light for our path: Does the word Easter refer to Ishtar, the Babylonian fertility goddess?
How do I respond to my husband who maintains that the word Easter refers to Ishtar, the Babylonian fertility goddess? He refuses to go to any church that uses...
Light for our path: What role does emotion play in contrition?
Sometimes after I sin I don’t feel very remorseful. I am afraid that the lack of emotional guilt within me following sin means I am not contrite. What role does...
Light for our path: What does the white stone in Revelation 2:17 mean?
“What does the white stone in Revelation 2:17 mean?” James F. Pope Answering your question involves bridging a “culture gap” in biblical interpretation...
Light for our path: Is the cross symbol now anti-Christian?
I see a lot of upside-down crosses these days in tattoos, posts on social media, and drawings on kids’ notebooks. I know its origin is biblical, but it doesn’t...
Light for our path: Were Joseph and Mary engaged or married when Joseph learned of Mary’s pregnancy?
Were Joseph and Mary engaged or married when Joseph learned of Mary’s pregnancy? Your question illustrates the need to bridge the culture gap of marriage customs...