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Jesus had much to say in His "Sermon on the Mount" about the subject of grace. Amazingly, He did so without actually using the word at any point during that discourse. A theme was introduced here that we can find throughout the New Testament, yet it is often overlooked. As a result, certain misperceptions about grace and its relationship to the Old Testament law have come up, which sadly cause many to stumble into problems such as antinomianism and moral laxity. Where are the boundaries, if any, of Christian liberty? Uploaded 4/6/11

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Click here for the brand new page: "Apoblepo's Bombastic Quotes"
(New addition to The Bookshelf posted here on 4/6/11)

Click here for the new design of the sources and citations page:

All caricature art appears courtesy of Philip Hatter at Thistledown Puppets: www.thistledownpuppets.com
(Click on a caricature to see a large version of it)

The two on-line books:
Table of contents:
Blankets on the Baby
Winning the Argument Without Winning the Soul
Organized Religion
Of the World, But Not In It
The Profits Have Spoken
So, What's Left?
Always the Problems

Companion Articles:
Koinonia in TV Land
When There is No Revival Without Rebellion
Are Ya Excited this Mornin'?
Number One
The Successful Pastor Dialogues
Discussions with the Church Staff
More from the Staff Meeting
Table of Contents:
Introduction (A Template for Bible Study)
Knowledge
Comprehension
Application
Analysis
Synthesis
Evaluation

Supplements:
References & Tools
Teaching Styles
Barbecued Milk
Givin' It "the Works"

The archives:
The Bookshelf
       
- an annotated list of Christian classics plus others that I have found helpful.
Click here for the single page .rtf version, non-annotated
Click here for the plain text (.txt) version, non-annotated

The Bad Evangelist series:
   
    - snarkiness is NOT next to Godliness; don't try this at home.
   The Bad Evangelist Chronicles (part I)
   
The Bad Evangelist Strikes Back (part II)
  
Return of the Bad Evangelist (part III)
  
The Bad Evangelist IV: the Preaching Menace

Critiquing contemporary concepts:
   
The Christianese Top Ten List
        - about the imprecise use of popular Christian vernacular.
   My Dog Ate My Bible (and Other Lame Excuses)
       
- five things that just should not be.
   Urban Retardation
        - the effect of a certain environment on human (and Christian) attitudes.
   An Ulterior Motive
        - some of us would do anything to stop government interference with religion.
   A Musician's Musings
        - when a specialized ministry generates unnecessary controversy.
   The Parable of the Buses
        - a true tale (with some liberties) about church growth.
   Reader's Block
        - trying and failing vs. failing to try.
   Indoctrinations
        - teaching the shepherds in the ways of the wolves.
   Grace is More Demanding
        - how to assess the difficulties when compared to Levitical law.

Theology and history:
   
OK, I Admit It
        - a theodicy concerning love, altruism, and the pain of the world.
   Chain of Command
        - concerning concepts of Biblical authority and its potential misuse.
   A Five-fold Job Description
        - ancient perspectives on contemporary ministries.
   Calvin's Pendulum
        - a look at some of the incongruities of the reformer.
   Toys in the Toy Chest
        - a look at the results of extreme doctrinal swings (Calvin's Pendulum, part II).
   Church History Appreciation
        - if we read it at all, do we do so with a right frame of mind?
   The Charismatic Trail
        - part personal journey and part historical review.
   The Law of Spiritual Motion
        - a look at actions and reactions in theological history.
On principles:
   On Interpreting the Constitution
        - an examination of who holds the true power.
   Size Does Matter
        - analyzing and resolving the debate from history.
   The Religious Marketplace
        - properly applying the first amendment in a pluralistic society.
   Independent Voters
        - just wondering why there was such a change in government personnel.

On issues:
   When the Dow Gets to Zero
        - how not to compromise or forfeit our freedom of commerce.
   Who's Responsible for April 15th?
        - a call to unburden the American taxpayer from an unnecessary nuisance.
   A Sniper with a Shotgun
        - taking aim is one thing; but this is ridiculous.
   Provisional Checkmate
        - yes, it was controversial, but it really did accomplish something.
   Carbon Footprints in the Sand
        - please pardon me for making fun of panicky people.
   Adventures with a Light Bulb
        - should anything be foisted upon the general public before it's ready?

A Butcher's Prayer
(written 12-27-82)

I am a hunk of flesh,
a cut of meat,

 carved out of the Adamic carcass.

Beat out my tough places,

make me tender,

that I might not be spit out.


Season me with the salt of wisdom,

a preservative from above,

to make me palatable.


Trim from me the fat,

remove the excesses,

so I may be a good steward of your blessings.


Cook me in the oven of experience,

passing from raw and rare

to become well done.


Marinate me with scripture,

so that those who would consume me

would taste only the Word of God.


Let there remain no leftovers

to be wrapped in the foil,

but let my Lord the Master Chef be fully pleased.

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