Author Archives: johnhking_1ie7oo

Jesus made a rather startling and “seemingly” rash statement in His celebrated “Sermon on the Mount.” Luke (6:20), the journalist, informs us that Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor.” And “poor” means “poor.” This word is distinguished in the New … Continue reading →

I am reading Matthew Hockenos’ biography of Pastor Niemöller, “Then They Came for Me: The Pastor Who Defied the Nazis.” There might be growing similarities between the erosion of religious freedoms a Lutheran pastor and their congregation endured in Nazi … Continue reading →

One church I pastored years back (it seems another lifetime ago)—well—the ruling boards sought my removal on doctrinal grounds. When I left, one trustee, in an honest and friendship sort-of way, asked me to consider teaching in a seminary or … Continue reading →

When I write, I sense, that often my reader’s theological sensitivities are rattled if not offended. But in my defense, it’s not my fault but the language of Scripture that often nuances a word differently from how we are prone … Continue reading →

I understand the Grinch is poised To steal away our Christmas joys— All the gifts we bought and more Anchored off the Western shore. I’m told there’s nothing we can say To get them here by Christmas day; There’s nothing … Continue reading →

Family was everything in ancient Judean society. Cultural norms as well as laws or policies were inaugurated by God through Moses to safeguard a family’s inheritance from abject and austere poverty where a family had to sell the homestead and … Continue reading →

This question occupied my bath today because in the rewrite of my book “Jesus: God’s Gift of Himself” I am reviewing the chapter on “Perspectives on the Cross” the section on God’s provision of justification. The verse before me is … Continue reading →

[Taken from “Calvary: The Story Behind God’s Gift of Himself”] Atonement: A Covering for Sin One more word is used among the Ancients, which doesn’t translate readily into English [That’s why theologians invent new words]. The Scripture in some places … Continue reading →

[Taken from “Calvary: The Story Behind God’s Gift of Himself”] The story goes that little Johnny wrote his ex girlfriend from camp: “Sussie, I hate you.” And then signed it: “love, Johnny.” Some see this as ambivalence [mixed feelings]. God … Continue reading →

[Taken from “Calvary: The Story Behind God’s Gift of Himself“] Penal Substitution Theory I want to quote, Henry Wace, the Dean of Canterbury from 1903 to 1924, in his work, The Sacrifice of Christ: Its Vital Reality and Efficacy, page … Continue reading →