Dr Paul Allen

Image via Wikipedia "It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body ; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body." ( 1 Corinthians 15:43-44 )   In this portion of this great chapter on the resurrection--first that of Christ , then the future resurrection of the redeemed--death and resurrection are compared to seed- sowing and harvest.  When a seed is planted in the ground, it is as though it had died and is buried.  For a long time after its "death," the seed cannot be seen, but finally it rises again as a beautiful flowering plant, or sheaf of grain, or even a lovely tree.   Jesus made this same analogy. "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit" ( John 12:24 ; note also  Mark 4:26-29 ).  Our human bodies , because of sin and the curse, eventually die an...

Image via Wikipedia "My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding: That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge." ( Proverbs 5:1-2 )   The entire fifth chapter of Proverbs concerns the use or misuse of the highest function of our physical bodies .  Under the sovereign control of Almighty God , a man and woman have been granted the ability, through their union, to make an eternal human being with the ability to accept or reject God, eternal life , and forgiveness. The contrast in this chapter is between the usage of this God-given function in lust or love, adultery or fidelity.   Verses 3 through 6 provide insight into the character of promiscuity, which includes deception ( v. 3 ) and sorrow ( v. 4 ). Psychologists have long recognized that many prostitutes ply their trade out of a hatred for men, purposefully and conscientiously destroying their companions ( v. 5 ).  The solution, of course, is to stay away...