IN THE PRE-MODERN WORLD most people assumed that things were influenced or governed by beings outside of themselves. That could be angels, demons, gods or God. And so placating or trusting in that being became an important part of life. For Christians, as an example, it was important not to sin or you would be disciplined by God. It was important to pray because God might well intervene in response. The people we live and work with in the modern world, however, do not see

WHAT DO I REALLY THINK OF GOD? Do I really believe he is worth serving? Do I believe in eternal rewards? God, through the prophet Malachi, tells us that we answer those questions with our money. In Malachi 3 God promises that a “messenger” will precede the coming of the God of justice, in order to prepare his way (:1). Jesus later insists that this forerunner was John the Baptist who prepared the way for Jesus (Matt. 11:10). But he warns that his coming will be as a puri

When Jesus wanted to define the purpose of marriage he referenced “the beginning” and God’s original intention for marriage (Matthew 19:3-9). He went back to God’s purpose for marriage in a pre-fallen world, described in Genesis 1 and 2. Likewise, the purpose of God for humanity and the earth is found “in the beginning” before humanity’s sin and fall. God is working through his people to bring about his original purpose. That purpose is that his image bearers, living in jo