Dr Paul Allen

“And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in.” ( Genesis 7:16 ) Many stirring books have been written on the general subject of the names of God. Most of the names make use of one or two of the three primary names. The first is Elohim , meaning “mighty one.” It is a uni-plural name—plural in form but singular in meaning and verb usage, suggesting the uni-plural nature of the triune Godhead , appearing in most English translations as “God.” It most often is used when worldwide events or attributes are discussed, including creation, judgment, sovereignty, transcendence, and salvation. The second is Jehovah , meaning “the self-existent one,” which appears as “LORD” in English translations. It stresses God’s holiness, nearness, concern for man (especially Israel ), hatred of sin, love of sinners, and His revelatory nature and communication. The third is Adonai , a more general term meaning master and used of both men...

English: This is the cover artwork for the New American Bible Revised Edition published by Saint Benedict Press. It features Titian's image of Pentecost or the "Descent of the Holy Spirit." This particular cover has been featured on the USCCB's website, on a feature about the NABRE on MSNBC, and on a variety of blogs and news updates on the NABRE. It is probably the most recognized cover for the NABRE to date. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Memorization Supplies Spiritual Power. “When Scripture is stored in your mind, it is available for the Holy Spirit to bring to your attention when you need it most.” No wonder, then, that David write, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” “A pertinent scriptural truth, brought to your awareness by the Holy Spirit at just the right moment, can be the weapon that makes the difference in a spiritual battle.” Memorization Strengthens Your Faith . “Memorization strengthens your faith because it ...

I am the light of the world (John 8:12). (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) John 2:1–11 What people often forget is that if Jesus created the world (see Genesis 1:1 ; John 1:3; Colossians 1:15–17), not only are miracles possible, but miracles are actual, because the biggest miracle has already happened—making something out of nothing.  What’s harder: for Jesus to take water and turn it into wine or for Jesus to take a handful of nothing and make water? It’s a lot harder to make water out of nothing than to make wine out of water. The evidence of modern cosmology points toward a supernatural Creator .  And if you’ve got a God who can make something out of nothing, then the other miracles of the Bible would be like child’s play for him. / Adapted from interview with Dr. Norman Geisler Related articles The Cross. Essential Doctrines (Part 1): The Doctrine of God's Existence Who is in control..... A Pinch of Salt in the Recipe for P...

Stained glass at St John the Baptist's Anglican Church http://www.stjohnsashfield.org.au, Ashfield, New South Wales. Illustrates Jesus' description of himself "I am the Good Shepherd" (from the Gospel of John, chapter 10, verse 11). This version of the image shows the detail of his face. The memorial window is also captioned: "To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of William Wright. Died 6th November, 1932. Aged 70 Yrs." (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ ." ( 1 Thessalonians 5:23 ) The threefold nature of mankind reflects, to a degree, the triune nature of the Godhead . Just as each member of the triune God is complete and wholly God, yet distinct, so each aspect of mankind is also the whole, yet distinct. The body of man comprises the entire man, yet he also possesses certain soulish emo...

Image via Wikipedia "And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen." ( Genesis 22:14 )   Abraham had just passed the most severe of tests. He had been willing to offer up his beloved son Isaac as a sacrifice to the Lord. He must have wondered why God had asked him to slay the son of promise, through whom many descendants were promised, but he didn't refuse or even question God. He was convinced that "God was able to raise him |Isaac| up, even from the dead" ( Hebrews 11:19 ). Yet he must have been greatly relieved when God stopped him from slaying his son, and thankful indeed when he found that God had already provided a ram to be used as "a burnt offering in the stead of his son" ( Genesis 22:13 ).   While journeying to the place of sacrifice, Abraham had said that "God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering" ( v. 8 ). Appropriately, after the incide...

Image via Wikipedia "For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another." ( 1 John 3:11 )   The pungent phrase "from the beginning" occurs no less than nine times in the first three chapters of the little epistle of 1 John. Thus, while in one sense, Christ 's command to love one another was a new commandment , in another sense it has been with us from the very beginning of the world. "Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning" ( 1 John 2:7 ).   The first verses of John's epistle show that this beginning is the same beginning in Genesis 1:1  and  John 1:1 : "That which was from the beginning, . . . of the Word of life; . . . that eternal life , which was with the Father , and was manifested unto us" ( 1 John 1:1-2 ). Note also  1 John 2:13 : "I write unto you, fathe...

Image via Wikipedia We are commonly asked for a clarification of our position on Creation . Here is his commentary on the Westminster Confession's phrase "…in the space of six days." In the beginning, to create, or make of nothing, the world, and all things therein whether visible or invisible, in the space of six days; and all very good. In the Genesis account of creation, we read; “So the evening and the morning were the first day” (Gen. 1:5).  This narrative proceeds from the first day to the sixth, each time referring to “the evening and the morning” and numbering the day. On the seventh day, God rested (Gen. 2:2). In our time a considerable number of theories have arisen denying that the creation, as we know it, took place in twenty-four hour days. Common to these theories is the acceptance of the dominant scientific view that the earth and life on it are very old. Many consider the biblical account to be primitive, mythological, and untenable in light of ...