Dr Paul Allen

"αθεοι" (atheoi), Greek for "those without god", as it appears in the Epistle to the Ephesians on the third-century papyrus known as "Papyrus 46" (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.” ( Psalm 19:7-9 ) Most Christians spend little time in the Word of the Lord , and this is a great tragedy. It is the necessary food for health and joy in our spiritual lives. “The sincere milk of the word” ( 1 Peter 2:2 ) is for “newborn babes” and the “strong meat” is for those who are not “unskilful in the word of righteousness” ( Hebrews 5:12-13 ). “Thy words” are also “honey to my mouth” ( Psalm 119:103 ), and “every word that proceedeth out o...

His Only-begotten Son and the Word of God 1885-1896 (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) “The Bible is not the Word of God , Jesus is. John says he is the Eternal Logos, the true Word spoken from all eternity, and to put such a focus on the Bible as the Word of God is to take it off their point: Jesus. In fact, it’s tantamount to bibliolatry–elevating the Bible to the 4th person of the Trinity .” Ever heard something like that before? It’s become a truism among many of the Christian internet set, and something like it has been popular in theological circles for some time now. I must admit, when I first heard the slogan myself, I was thrown off a bit. I mean, John does identify Jesus as the Logos , the Word, of God from all of eternity–the truest and deepest reality Father is eternally speaking. What’s more, it’s true that from time to time you can run across someone in a fundamentalist church who treats the Scriptures as if they were dropped from heaven and yet remain utterly oblivious t...

Image via Wikipedia "O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory." ( Psalm 98:1 )   The theme of singing is frequently found in the Bible . Probably the first song ever sung was by God 's angels at the time of creation, as God laid the corner stone of the earth, "when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy" ( Job 38:7 ).   There are nine occasions when a "new song" was to be sung by the people of God. The very first, appropriately, was to extol God's Word and His creation. "Sing unto him a new song; . . . For the word of the LORD is right," and then "By the word of the LORD were the heavens made" ( Psalm 33:3-6 ). Then the second new song is placed prophetically on the lips of Christ , representing His thoughts on the cross after His sufferings were finished and He had paid the redemption price for all our ...