Christianity Archives

June 12, 2026June 10, 2026

Love Makes Us Vulnerable

Love makes us vulnerable. C.S. Lewis wrote many wonderful books filled with great wisdom. I think Mere Christianity is the greatest, but recently I reread one I hadn’t read in many years. Maturity and life circumstances, particularly losing my wife to cancer, gave me new insight as I read it again. It is The Four Loves, in which Lewis describes four Greek words for love. The Greek language in which the New Testament was written was much more precise about the various emotions that English describes with the word “love.”

Lewis says that the Greek “storge” is what we might call “affection.” “Friendship” is the Greek word “philia.” “Eros” is the Greek term for romantic love. But the greatest of the loves, as described in the New Testament, is “agape,” which Lewis describes as “charity.” It is godly love that endures no matter the circumstances. We have written about agape before, so I will not repeat what we have already said. However, in the section on agape, Lewis makes a statement that is worth taking to heart and even memorizing. Here is what he said:

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket—safe, dark, motionless, airless—it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.”

The wisdom of C.S. Lewis reminds us that love makes us vulnerable, but failing to love makes our lives “irredeemable.” Take a chance and love as God loved, even those who do not return that love. In doing so, we follow the example of Jesus, and our lives will be richer for it.

May 18, 2026May 16, 2026

Africa’s Massive Size

How big is Africa? With Africa’s massive size, you could overlay the United States, China, India, Eastern Europe, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, and Japan on top of Africa with no overlap among the countries.

Many misunderstandings stem from the way maps are drawn. Mercator maps, which we are familiar with, show the United States as a very large landmass, and we know it has many natural resources. How blessed Africa is in terms of natural resources remains unknown because of Africa’s huge size and human exploitation. Wars have been fought over much smaller areas of land.

The implications of Africa’s massive size are enormous, with the greatest being an abundance of natural resources along with an abundance of people who need to hear the Gospel. Nearly every element necessary for technology can be found in Africa. However, the exploitation of the people in Africa has prevented the extraction of most of these resources, and many are still unexplored. Human greed has prevented us from using the abundant resources God has provided, but the problem all begins with the exploitation of other humans.

Reference: Skeptical Inquirer, volume 50 #3, pages 52-59

May 7, 2026May 4, 2026

Humans Are Viruses on the Earth – or Not

Humans Are Viruses on the Earth – Influenza Virus — Influenza virus 3D illustration

Perhaps you have seen posts or comments online claiming that humans are viruses on the Earth. The argument is that human numbers are growing, and we “feed parasitically on the body of the Earth.” They say we are swarming over the Earth and leaving no part of the planet “untouched by our pollution and destruction.”

The mantra is that humans move into an area, multiply until they consume all the natural resources, then move on to another area, like a virus. Critics suggest that all other mammals live in equilibrium with their surroundings, whereas humans behave like viruses that spread and consume resources. So the question they ask is whether humans are a disease, a cancer, or a virus on the Earth, what are we going to do about it? How can we stop this human virus?

As Christians, we believe that humans were made in God’s image and that God entrusted the first humans and us with taking care of the planet and ruling over it (see Genesis 1:28). Perhaps we’ve done a better job of ruling over the planet than of taking care of it. Some have pointed out that even though the Bible says we were created in God’s image, we are also the ones who introduced sin into the world.

Hosea 4:1-3 is a Bible passage sometimes quoted by those who insist that humans are viruses on the Earth. In this passage, Hosea tells the children of Israel that because they have been swearing, lying, killing, stealing, and committing adultery, God will punish them by allowing them to waste away along with the animals, birds, and fish. You could say that applies to us today, but that might be stretching the context.

It is true that God gave humans the job of being stewards of the Earth, to rule over and protect or conserve the creatures that live here. It is also true that we have often failed in that job, but God always gives us another chance to do better. As for humans introducing sin into the world, God also gave us a second chance on that. The most amazing thing we read in the Bible is that God became a human being to live a perfect life, to show us what that is like, and to bear the punishment for our failures.

As we consider whether humans are viruses on the Earth, we must consider our relationship with the Creator. Perhaps if we can accept what God has done through Jesus Christ to restore us to a right relationship with Him, we will find that we can have a right relationship with the Earth God gave us to live on. Remember that God is the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17).

April 23, 2026April 22, 2026

Two Views of the Universe

Prominent atheists recently became upset by Victor Glover’s words aboard Artemis 2 during its history-making trip around the Moon. Some even expressed concern about the “separation of church and space.” We have written before about Victor Glover and his status as a Bible-believing Christian. When he spoke from space, he seemed to receive approval from the other astronauts, but not from atheists on the ground. We see the contrast between the two views of the universe.

Some of Glover’s words that apparently upset atheists include, “You’re on a spaceship called Earth that was created to give us a place to live in the universe…You are special. In all of this emptiness, this is a whole bunch of nothing, this thing we call the universe, you have this oasis, this beautiful place that we get to exist together…” Why should those words distress anyone?

Historically, many early scientists explored creation because they believed in an orderly universe created by an intelligent God. Many astronauts have said that being in space gave them a spiritual experience as they realized that Earth reveals design and purpose. I remember watching the Apollo 8 crew read from the book of Genesis on Christmas Day in 1968 as they traveled around the Moon. Our present NASA administrator, Jared Isaacman, said that his time in space convinced him that “the heavens declare the glory of God.”

Many leading science popularizers have tried to tell us that science destroys Christian belief. Richard Dawkins, Bill Nye, Michael Shermer, Lawrence Krauss, and others have written popular books arguing that science makes belief in God unnecessary and implausible. The two views of the universe can’t both be correct. The truth is that scientific discoveries continue to support belief in God and challenge the atheist concept.

Years ago, Carl Sagan said that Earth is such a tiny dot in the universe that it shows we have no privileged position in the cosmos. Victor Glover said that we are not a lonely cosmic accident, but instead, we are loved. On April 30, 2026, the movie “The Story of Everything” will open in select theaters nationwide. It will compare the two views of the universe—the atheist view and the biblical view that God designed and created all things and that He loves us. I think the movie will show that God’s story is the best and that it is actually supported by science.

References: scienceandculture.com HERE and HERE. You can see Victor Glover’s statement from space HERE. Click H ERE for more information about “The Story of Everything.”

April 15, 2026April 13, 2026

Social Darwinism at Work

The African country of Nigeria is an interesting test case for examining the effects of social Darwinism at work. The root of Nigeria’s problems dates back to the late 19th century, when European countries met and divided up Africa. They were interested in the natural resources available on that continent and in the market opportunities for European products.

Great Britain gained control of what is now Nigeria, created by the amalgamation of some Islamic states into what became northern Nigeria. Some parts of the country were put under the control of Christians, but northern Nigeria was handed over to agnostics who believed in Darwinian evolution. The British government appointed Sir Frederick Lugard as governor of northern Nigeria in 1912. Lugard placed the leadership in the hands of radical and violent Islamists known as the Fulani, who were known for terrorizing and pillaging the peaceful Christian villages.

Frederick Lugard was not a fan of Islam, but with his Darwinian view, he felt that the Fulani were more evolved than the darker-skinned natives. He considered their lighter skin color to indicate they were farther up the ladder of evolution and therefore closer to the white race. This attitude was in keeping with that of Charles Darwin. Lugard’s wife, Flora, shared his opinion and compared black people to animals that needed to be managed as livestock.

While social Darwinism at work was destroying northern Nigeria, areas of Nigeria under Christian control prospered. In those areas, Africans held key positions in the administration not because of the shade of their skin but because of their skills. Christian missionaries had free access to establish schools and to promote modern agricultural and business practices.

In Nigeria, we have seen over many years the results of social Darwinism at work. Religious violence and persecution have resulted in more Christians being killed in Nigeria than in all other countries combined. A radical Islamic group called Boko Haram aims to establish Nigeria as an Islamic state. Since 1999, the Muslim-dominated northern Nigerian states have implemented strict Sharia law.

We can place the blame for Nigeria’s disorder on religious conflict between Muslims and Christians, but it really goes back to social Darwinism at work. As Christians, we believe, as the Bible teaches, that all people are created in God’s image and therefore equal and deserving of our respect. Evolution teaches the struggle for survival in which the strong dominate and even destroy the weak. Those who follow the teaching of Christ protect the weak, defend the oppressed, and care for the sick. Which of those philosophies creates a better country and a better world?

Reference: “The Nigerian Experiment” by Amanda Witt on salvomag.com

For more on this, read Darwin Comes to Africa by Olufemi Oluniyi

April 13, 2026April 11, 2026

Purpose in Life and Euthanasia

One of the greatest challenges in life is to know why we exist. For Christians, our existence has a clear purpose. The book of Job offers a clear picture of the war between good and evil, and Jesus Christ taught His followers that they would be active soldiers in that war. Ephesians 6:12 tells Christians, “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 3:10 tells us that championing this struggle is the Church’s purpose. As a Christian, I can tell you that I have a purpose in life, and that makes my life full of meaning.

So, how do atheists explain their purpose for existing? For the young college student who is at the top of their game, the answer may be to enjoy the “survival of the fittest.” What is the answer for those who are not the “fittest”?

Noelia Castillo was a 25-year-old woman who ended her life against the wishes of her family, the Catholic Church, and the Spanish government. She spent her teenage years in a state-run foster care facility. She was sexually assaulted multiple times, including a gang rape, after which she jumped from a 5th-floor window, leaving her a paraplegic. She ended her life under a Spanish law that was intended for the elderly. Intellectuals are now debating what purpose in life she could have had.

Philosophers and psychologists can argue all they want, but the fact is, as a Christian, Noelia COULD have had a great purpose in life. How many young women in Spain have been raped or gang raped, and need to know that they can recover from that horror by someone who has been there? What influence could she have had on the Catholic Church?

In America, the debate is centered on “death with dignity.” Unless we present a purpose for living in the debate, we will never reach a real consensus. Your author is 88 years old and has his share of pain. To end my life prematurely would destroy a time in my life when I can uniquely speak to younger people about why their lives can be full of meaning. The key is to use the tools God has given all humans to make this world a better place in which to live.

Reference: The Week magazine, April 10, 2026, page 15.

April 6, 2026April 3, 2026

A Royal Tax Bill

We are only a week away from tax day in the United States, and I am concerned that I still haven’t completed my tax return. I’m surely not the only one in this situation, and it isn’t anything new. In fact, near the Western Wall in Jerusalem, archaeologists discovered part of what might be King Hezekiah’s unpaid royal tax bill, dating from the eighth or seventh century BC.

What they found is part of a bulla, a piece of clay used to seal a document. A bulla often summarized what was inside the attached document. This one, from the first temple period, is written in Neo-Assyrian and appears to relate to a delay in paying a royal tax bill owed to Assyria by the king of Judah. Archaeologists confirmed that the clay came from the Assyrian heartland near the Tigris River. It would be interesting to see the full document from the Assyrian equivalent of the IRS, but we can learn some things from this fragment.

The document confirms a due date on the first day of the month of Av (not April 15). It also mentions a chariot officer, probably the one responsible for bringing the royal tax bill from Assyria to Jerusalem. It seems that King Hezekiah was late in paying his taxes. You can read about that in 2 Kings 18. Verses 5 and 7 tell us that “Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel…And the Lord was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him.”

If you think you can get by without paying your taxes by trusting the Lord, consider this. Verse 13 states that Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, attacked and captured all the fortified cities of Judah. Then Hezekiah sent him this message: “I have done wrong. Withdraw from me, and I will pay whatever you demand of me” (verse 14). Sennacherib demanded a lot. The royal tax bill forced Hezekiah to surrender all the silver in the temple and the royal treasury.

One lesson here is to pay your taxes on time, but there’s more. The most important thing we learn from this document is that it aligns with what we read in the Bible. Archaeological discoveries continue to support the biblical record. It’s another sign that we can trust the Bible.

Reference: “Hezekiah’s Unpaid Tax Bill?” in Biblical Archaeology Review, spring 2026. 2026.

April 3, 2026April 3, 2026

The Physical Resurrection of Jesus Christ

The physical resurrection of Jesus Christ is central to the Christian faith. It transformed the apostles from frightened cowards to bold proclaimers of the gospel. The resurrection was central to Paul’s preaching and evangelism. He wrote, “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith… If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:14, 19-20).

The resurrection offers comfort to believers and serves as a sign to unbelievers, the impetus for evangelism. It is what gives us hope that this life is not the end of our existence. The resurrection was the only miracle Jesus predicted beforehand, and through it, He proved that He truly was the Son of God with power over death.

As we remember what Christ did for us on the cross, we also recall that it was through the resurrection that He conquered death and hell. That’s what gives us hope. It affirms the gospel message. Earlier, we quoted a passage from the Roman historian Cornelius Tacitus. Part of that quote said Nero blamed the Christians for the fire in Rome. Tacitus wrote that the Christian “superstition” originated from “Christus” who “suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome…”

Notice that Tacitus said this “superstition” was checked for the moment, but broke out again. Why did it break out again after the instigator had been put to death? The only reason is because of the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ! This pagan Roman historian actually confirms the resurrection of Christ!

At this season of the year, we’re reminded of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. However, we must not think of it just once a year but every week and every day. That is what the Christian faith is built on and what gives us hope even when things seem hopeless. The physical resurrection of Jesus Christ is verified by both biblical and historical testimony.

April 2, 2026April 1, 2026

The Crucifixion of Yohanan Ben Ha’galgol

In June 1968, during excavation in Jerusalem to build apartments, archaeologists discovered a first-century Jewish burial site. One significant find from that excavation relates to the crucifixion of Yohanan Ben Ha‘galgol.

Jewish burial customs in the first century included the use of ossuaries. An ossuary is a limestone box, often with ornate carvings, used to hold the bones of a deceased. They typically had the name carved into them. After the initial burial and decomposition, the bones would be collected and placed into the ossuary to save burial space. At this Jerusalem site, archaeologists uncovered the remains of 35 Jews. They apparently died around AD 70, during the Jewish uprising against Rome, with evidence of violent deaths caused by beating, starvation, burning, or arrow wounds.

One man, estimated to be 24 to 28 years old and about 5 feet 7 inches tall, had been crucified. His bones still bore a 7-inch spike driven sideways through the heels, with small pieces of wood attached. Nails had also been driven through the radius and ulna bones near the hands. The radius bone, in particular, was scratched and worn smooth where the nail passed through. During crucifixion, victims had to pull themselves up to breathe, then fall back exhausted until, lacking the strength to continue, they would suffocate. This movement had apparently worn the ulna bone in Yohanan’s case. We know his name because it was carved into his ossuary.

Yohanan’s leg bones were broken—his left tibia and fibula, and his right tibia—likely struck by a single blow. According to John 19:31-35, Roman soldiers would sometimes break the legs of crucifixion victims to hasten death. In Jesus’ case, they didn’t have to break His legs because He was already dead, confirmed by the spear thrust into His side.

Yohanan Ben Ha’galgol’s crucifixion confirms that Romans nailed victims through the heels or feet and wrists, causing agonizing death by suffocation over several hours. Sometimes, bodies were left on crosses for days as an example for others. At other times, soldiers broke the legs to speed up death—not for the victim’s benefit, but to expedite the crucifixion process.

Nearly two millennia later, Yohanan Ben Ha’galgol’s crucifixion helps us better understand what Jesus endured on the cross. Before crucifixion, Jesus had suffered a beating and blood loss, nearly to death, and a crown of thorns pressed on His head, causing blood to stream over His face. But His greatest anguish was when He cried out, “God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Being separated from the Father for the first time in eternity is beyond our understanding, but we know He endured it all for us.