1. Tomorrow, March 25, We Celebrate God Becoming a Baby

    book
    03/24/22
    7 mins
    read
    By Chad Bird
    If there were ever any doubt about God's commitment to humanity, the incarnation removed that doubt. God became a man forever. And thus he is our brother, our kinsman redeemer, the God who would move heaven and earth to save us.
    Tomorrow, March 25, We Celebrate God Becoming a Baby

  2. When the Prodigal Son Relapses

    book
    03/22/22
    9 mins
    read
    By Chad Bird
    “Come join the murder,” the black ravens of his heart cried. “Come join it again, old friend.” And so he did. The prodigal relapsed. Re-sinned. Re-destroyed his life. Would his father welcome him home this time?
    When the Prodigal Son Relapses

  3. The Mountain that Israel Moved

    book
    01/27/22
    10 mins
    read
    By Chad Bird
    In Israel, once a year, a priestly climber would reach the peak of a very different kind of mountain. Here's his story.
    The Mountain that Israel Moved

  4. The Devil in the Details of the Old Testament: Is Satan in the Hebrew Bible?

    book
    01/18/22
    22 mins
    read
    By Chad Bird
    Is the serpent in Genesis 3 just a snake or Satan? Does the Hebrew refer to "the satan" or "Satan"? And does it make a difference? Let's take a look at the Old Testament, early Jewish literature, and the New Testament for the answers.
    The Devil in the Details of the Old Testament: Is Satan in the Hebrew Bible?

  5. For Those Who Feel Unseen

    book
    01/14/22
    7 mins
    read
    By Chad Bird
    Men and women are all caught in the universal machine of suffering that chews people up and spits them out. And in their respective griefs and fears, they are all wondering if God sees them, hears them, knows them.
    For Those Who Feel Unseen

  6. A Review of 'Figuring Resurrection' by Jeffrey Pulse

    book
    01/07/22
    15 mins
    read
    By Chad Bird
    Viewing the Word as a unified theological narrative prevents us from treating the Scriptures like a cage match between competing theological systems, with prophets duking it out with apostles, and psalmists with evangelists, all supposedly fighting for their voice to be heard.
    A Review of 'Figuring Resurrection' by Jeffrey Pulse

  7. Why Not Diapers and Casseroles Instead of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh?

    book
    01/05/22
    12 mins
    read
    By Chad Bird
    Couldn't Mary and Joseph have used more practical gifts? Why did the magi bring such unusual presents to the Christ Child? And how do these Gentiles fit into this very Jewish part of Matthew's Gospel? Let's ask some Old Testament prophets and poets for the answer.
    Why Not Diapers and Casseroles Instead of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh?

  8. A Two-Faced Look at the Coming New Year

    book
    12/30/21
    13 mins
    read
    By Chad Bird
    Buried deep in our human psyche, there seems to be more than a need—almost a necessity—to celebrate the arrival of a new year. It’s like an unspoken, unlegislated cultural demand, as instinctual as moving to music or smiling at a newborn. Why? What deep human need is at work here?
    A Two-Faced Look at the Coming New Year

  9. The Christmas Story No One Wants to Talk About: The Holy Innocents

    book
    12/28/21
    16 mins
    read
    By Chad Bird
    A madman king. State-decreed infanticide. A fleeing holy family. What does all this have to do with Christmas? And how did a day of horror also become a day of hope? Today, December 28, the church remembers The Holy Innocents.
    The Christmas Story No One Wants to Talk About: The Holy Innocents

  10. Christmas in Isaiah: Dog Soldiers, Army Boots, and Baby Jesus

    book
    12/22/21
    13 mins
    read
    By Chad Bird
    Gideon’s “foolish” weaponry of clay jars and shofars will give way to the Messiah’s “foolish” ways of doing things, for his weapons will be humility, fidelity, and, above all, the word of his Father.
    Christmas in Isaiah: Dog Soldiers, Army Boots, and Baby Jesus

  11. The Jewish Nesting Doll of Christmas

    book
    12/20/21
    12 mins
    read
    By Chad Bird
    To understand the Nativity we need to grasp the Jewish nature of Christmas. God sent his Son into the womb of a Jewish virgin, to be born in a Jewish town, and to be crucified with a sign over his head that reads, “Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews,” in order that salvation might go forth to all people from him.
    The Jewish Nesting Doll of Christmas

  12. Debunking Popular Christmastime Myths: Temple Shepherds, Migdal Eder, and Swaddling Lambs

    book
    12/15/21
    16 mins
    read
    By Chad Bird
    The Bethlehem shepherds were raising lambs for the temple? Jesus was born in a shepherd's tower called Migdal Eder? Shepherds swaddled lambs to keep them unblemished then placed them in a manger to keep them safe? What are we to make of these popular claims?
    Debunking Popular Christmastime Myths: Temple Shepherds, Migdal Eder, and Swaddling Lambs
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