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Author: pete.stohlman

What Christ Can’t Do

What Christ Can’t Do

It seems likely that every Christian above a certain age will sooner or later be asked by self-avowed skeptics some version of the killer question—that masterpiece of logic and irrefutable reason which no religionist can possibly answer.  These ‘stump the band’ conundrums are intended to shut down discussion, end debate of all serious issues and mock those inexperienced enough to try to play the game.  Particular favorites for flustering the faithful include variations of the following: “Could God create a stone too…

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If Christ Had Never Come

If Christ Had Never Come

As I settled in to write this column, sitting down before yet another blank page on my computer screen, I began to think about the question of what the world would look like if Jesus Christ had never come to live among us and die for us.  I should have known that a hypothetical like this one was just too big.  Soon I was chasing rabbits as a welcome distraction. The first was what to call Him.  Jesus was and is a common name.  How to distinguish…

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Requiem For Innocence

Requiem For Innocence

There was Adam and then there was Eve.  Created in the moral image of God.  Righteous. Pure.  Consciences clean and clear.  So totally innocent they did not even notice their physical and spiritual nakedness.  In this pristine state, they were possessed of the ultimate humility: utter unselfconsciousness. They could not be described as blameless, as no wrong had been done to which blame might attach.  To call them sinless would be inaccurate, as sin had not entered their minds.  Their character was uncorrupted, but it had never been put…

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Jesus Christ–Underreported, Underrated, Undervalued

Jesus Christ–Underreported, Underrated, Undervalued

Adore Him or ignore Him, Jesus Christ is one fascinating character.  His story doesn’t start with His incarnation and virgin birth, as momentous as they are.  In the scriptures we meet Him as the unique and eternal Son of God when there was as yet, no human race for Him to join.  We discover that He existed long before the cosmos came into being.  We find that He was not some interested spectator but was thoroughly involved and fully engaged in every way. As…

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New Birthday

New Birthday

[SPECIAL NOTE TO MY READERS: This is my 100th original column.  I thank God for this amazing milestone and pray that each one will find the audience He intends.  To Him be the glory!]   Imagine being an orphan chosen for adoption in a process you couldn’t hope to understand.  Now suppose that the transaction was conducted remotely, at long distance.  You are told that your prospective parent is a truly wonderful person, of sterling character and stainless reputation—not only virtuous but infinitely loving, unstintingly generous, completely…

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Of Passive Pilgrimage And Passion

Of Passive Pilgrimage And Passion

A dozen years ago, I made a pilgrimage of sorts, to Israel.  It was not a primarily religious odyssey.  Having studied and believed the Bible all of my life, there was nothing that I needed to prove, reinforce or see for myself.  I viewed such opportunities as incidental, though as it turned out, they were profoundly consequential, in terms of their impact on me. But I’m getting ahead of myself.  I should probably share that I very nearly had to cancel my travel as,…

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Whistling Past The Impossible

Whistling Past The Impossible

All things deemed “impossible” have at least one qualifying feature in common: they haven’t happened—at least, not yet.  For if something classified as impossible were to occur, it could not, by definition, remain so classed.  It would have to come off the list. Not only would the occurrence of an “impossible” event disprove its impossibility, it would reveal that the impossible had in fact been possible for some period of time—perhaps for only a moment, but perhaps from the very beginning.  During this interval,…

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Too Good To Be True?

Too Good To Be True?

An aphorism is a saying expressing the collective wisdom gained from the common experience of lots of people over long periods of time.  These homespun insights are not always true or universally true.  But they enshrine general principles reliable enough to have predictive value.  And because they transcend differences in age, sex, class, social status, and language (among others), aphorisms play an important role in shaping and homogenizing culture.  They also serve as safeguards for the young, sheltered, or naïve, against the danger of…

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Chance Meetings By Appointment Only

Chance Meetings By Appointment Only

The airport lounge was crowded with travelers waiting to board flights that would carry some to familiar destinations—their accustomed venues for business or pleasure.  In addition to these commuters were those being ferried to exotic locales of picturesque beauty and idyllic climes, the nearest thing to paradise on earth, and the perfect spot for that once-in-a-lifetime vacation.  Rounding out the manifests were those on missions of particular purpose—a job interview, a family emergency, a military deployment, a special occasion. One of these…

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Cavalry No, Calvary Yes

Cavalry No, Calvary Yes

The rapidly accelerating downward spiral of daily events in recent years has awakened multitudes the world over to the realization that things have taken a dark and dangerous turn for humanity.  Even in America, which can hardly be referred to any longer as the United States, polls show decisive and still growing majorities who firmly believe that the country is on the wrong track.  To the extent that the U.S. is yet considered the leader of the free world, this is disconcerting and deeply troubling…

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