CultureWatch

Bill Muehlenberg's commentary on issues of the day...

Truth and Consequences

Apr 30, 2015

With plenty of public discussion over a recent case of capital punishment, I have regrettably noted an incredibly high level of confusion, misinformation, illogic, and just plain biblical illiteracy about these matters. It seems that far too many Christians are

Polygamy and Scripture

Apr 9, 2015

We expect those pushing radical agendas like the various sexual libertines, especially the homosexual lobby, to try their best to attack and twist Scripture as they seek to rationalise their sordid behaviours. Thus those calling for things like homosexual marriage

Hermeneutics and Blood Transfusions

Apr 9, 2015

If this seems to be yet another rather bizarre or opaque title, just hold onto your hats: all is about to be revealed. Let me start with hermeneutics. For the uninitiated, this simply is about the practice or discipline of

Difficult Bible Passages: 1 Corinthians 5:12-13

Mar 24, 2015

Once again, as is often the case in this series, this passage is not so much difficult and hard to understand, as it is so very frequently misused and abused. I hear this one all the time. It is thrown

Difficult Bible Passages: Matthew 11:19

Feb 22, 2015

This is another one of those biblical texts which is not so difficult as it is one which is so widely and so often misused and misunderstood. Perhaps I may need to rename this series and call it something like

Difficult Bible Passages: James 2:13

Feb 21, 2015

The last half of James 2:13 says this: “Mercy triumphs over judgment”. This passage is not so much a difficult passage as it is one which is regularly misused and abused. It is often hauled out to say something which

The Sword of Romans 13

Feb 13, 2015

My topic here involves how we are to understand the sword – and the state’s use of it – as found in Paul’s discussion of government authority in Romans 13:1-7. Many scholars understand this to be a reference to the

Difficult Bible Passages: Romans 13:1-7

Dec 3, 2014

I have included this passage of Scripture in my series of difficult Bible texts not so much because it is quite difficult to grasp or interpret, but because it – and what it addresses – has often been the subject

It’s Time To Get Serious

Oct 8, 2014

I love being in the gospel of Matthew again. And the best way to read it is to pray that it strikes you as if reading it for the very first time, without any preconceived ideas, theology, or spin. Of

Difficult Bible Passages: Matthew 5:22

Aug 14, 2014

There are two main reasons why this passage is problematic: it seems to forbid something which is done elsewhere in Scripture, and it offers a very strong penalty for something which does not seem that bad. It has to do

Difficult Bible Passages: 1 Samuel 28

Apr 3, 2014

The episode in the Old Testament about Saul and the witch of Endor raises a number of questions, chief of which is this: Can God use a means which he had expressly forbidden elsewhere? Other questions include: Did Samuel actually

Difficult Bible Passages: 1 Samuel 16:14

Mar 24, 2014

This is a passage which bothers many folks – both believers and non-believers. It seems to make God the author of evil, or at least make him responsible for particular evil outcomes. The verse says this: “Now the Spirit of

On Adiaphora

Nov 15, 2013

OK, to save you scrambling for your dictionaries or your Greek phrase books let me spill the beans here: this term means ‘things indifferent’. In theological jargon, it refers to those things which are neither sanctioned nor prohibited by Scripture.

Difficult Bible Passages: Matthew 21:18-22

Oct 4, 2013

The cursing of the fig tree is a familiar yet problematic passage. At least for some it is problematic: why is Jesus cursing a poor fig tree? Why the temper tantrum and petulance? Does this not seem to fit in

Surrogacy and Scripture

Sep 17, 2013

As advances in Assisted Reproductive Technologies continue to take place, more and more couples are taking advantage of these new means to have children. Surrogacy is one such method. While there are various types of surrogacy now available, they all

Difficult Bible Passages: Matthew 22:11-14

Aug 8, 2013

This text is problematic for some because of its seeming harshness and lack of love. In a parable of Jesus a wedding guest comes, but is sternly rebuked for not appearing properly attired, and is kicked out of the wedding.

On Drinking the Cup

Aug 6, 2013

OK, another obscure title – but not too obscure for the biblically literate. I here wish to deal with an ongoing controversy about Christ, the cross, and the wrath of God. As I have written just recently elsewhere, there are

The Divine Last Laugh

Jul 28, 2013

When believers think about God’s attitude toward sinners, they will automatically and correctly think along these lines: God loves sinners and wants them to forsake their sin and come back into a love relationship with him. Yes God indeed does

Difficult Bible Passages: Psalm 105:15

Jul 23, 2013

This is another Bible passage which is not so much difficult as one which has been badly handled, poorly interpreted, and often wrongly applied. The verse in question is this: “Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no

What a Lousy World

Jul 15, 2013

Some of you will recall the 1967 hit tune by crooner Louis Armstrong, “What a Wonderful World,” later re-popularised in the 1987 Robin Williams film, “Good Morning, Vietnam”. Unfortunately for many millions of people, the Satchmo tune is not really

About CultureWatch

We live in an age where we see evidence of cultural decline, the erosion of values, the decline of civility, the denial of truth and the elevation of unreason. Many people are asking, “Where is our culture heading?” This website is devoted to exploring the major cultural, social and political issues of the day. It offers reflection and commentary drawing upon the wealth of wisdom found in the Judeo-Christian tradition. It offers reflective and incisive commentary on a wide range of issues, helping to sort through the maze of competing opinions, worldviews, ideologies and value systems. It will discuss critically and soberly where our culture is heading. Happy reading!

Bill Muehlenberg

CultureWatch

Bill Muehlenberg's commentary on issues of the day...

Truth and Consequences

Polygamy and Scripture

Hermeneutics and Blood Transfusions

Difficult Bible Passages: 1 Corinthians 5:12-13

Difficult Bible Passages: James 2:13

The Sword of Romans 13

Difficult Bible Passages: Romans 13:1-7

It’s Time To Get Serious

Difficult Bible Passages: Matthew 5:22

Difficult Bible Passages: 1 Samuel 28

Difficult Bible Passages: 1 Samuel 16:14

On Adiaphora

Difficult Bible Passages: Matthew 21:18-22

Surrogacy and Scripture

Difficult Bible Passages: Matthew 22:11-14

On Drinking the Cup

The Divine Last Laugh

Difficult Bible Passages: Psalm 105:15

What a Lousy World

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