Tag: The Bible

A Christian Perspective

Forced Learning

Loring Schultz

“Command and teach these things….…. devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.” 1 Timothy 4:11, 13 ESV

‘Forced Learning,’ it sounds negative. It gives the impression of lack of freedom and choice. It can also assume indoctrination. The world’s education system has many contributors forcing their brand of learning based off their worldview to indoctrinate unexpecting students. This is occurring from early childhood development to our colleges and universities. Sadly it is also in some of our most prestigious non-profit and religious organizations and even in some churches. The justification for this teaching is they are in sync with the changing progressive culture. People in the early days of the New Testament found themselves in much the same situations. Paul, the apostle, has a few words to say about this.

Paul was giving Timothy instructions on being a disciplined servant of Christ. Timothy’s job was to teach and instruct the church of the ways of God, salvation, and Chrisitan living in a world with an ever-changing culture. Paul said to ‘Command and teach these things.’ The early church faced false teachers claiming something new and contrary to Scripture. Timothy was to devote himself to being persistent in the public reading of Scripture in worship services. He was also to continue to exhort and teach the brethren, in fact Paul told Timothy to ‘command and teach these things.’ It sort of sounds like ‘forced learning,’ but if Timothy’s teaching was based on the truth of God’s Word from God Himself then Timothy had a responsibility to carry out that command to teach those things.

Christians today have the same responsibility to communicate the truth of God’s Word. This is not to be left up to the pastor but is an obligation of every living saint. The error of false teaching must be met with truth from the Bible. The progressive cultural of our day is increasingly drifting away from the Bible with their forced learning procedures. It’s time to ‘command and teach these things.’ in the love of Christ.

Devotionals

Early Riser           

Loring Schultz

Read: Proverbs 8:12-36 KJV – I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find – Bible Gateway

“I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.” Proverbs 8:17 KJV

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Are you an early riser? You may ask, ‘well, it depends on what you mean by early.’ I get it. So, this is not to persuade you to get up before or at the crack of dawn. (Although I think that is best) It is for you to reserve your best, full alert, attentive, concentrated, quiet time for God whatever the time of day.

For Jesus, His best time to pray to His Father was in the pre-dawn hours. Observing the busy days Jesus had during the course of His ministry it is easy to see His best time was when no one else was around. This should be our goal as well. Whenever that time is convenient is when and where we should be looking to seek after God. Proverbs is a book of wisdom and wisdom is personalized and is speaking in Proverbs 8:17 when it says, “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.” (kjv) Can we apply this verse to seeking after God? I think we can!

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Pr.1:7 kjv) True wisdom comes when seeking after God with reverential fear or ‘awe’ of who He is. God Almighty is the source of wisdom. Wisdom says, “The LORD formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else. I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began.” (Pr.8:22-23 nlt) The Lord God is the creator of everything. Wisdom comes through His mighty sovereign hands.

So, again my purpose is for each of us to find that secluded place which is the best uninterrupted time to seek after God through devoted prayer and time in His Word. You may also be surprised that a little bit of wisdom comes with it.

Devotionals

Food for the Journey

Loring Schultz

“……I don’t want to send them away hungry, or they will faint along the way.” Matthew 15:32b NLT

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I am sure we have all heard the expression, ‘life is a journey.’ Indeed, it is. Curiously though no two people are on the exact same path in life. There may be similarities, but just as everyone is unique in their own way, their journey in life follows the course planned out for them. And for the Christian, the Lord had your life journey drawn up before you were even a thought in your parents’ mind. “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” (Ps.139:16 nlt)

Throughout our journey in life, we need subsistence to sustain us. We need a daily intake of food to nourish us to survive our physical life, and we need a daily intake of spiritual food to survive in our spiritual life. During Jesus’ ministry on earth, He had two occasions where He provided food for thousands of people as they were coming to Him for healing and to hear His teaching. Jesus had compassion for the people giving them both physical and spiritual food. He did not want to send the crowds away hungry for they might faint along the way.

Our Lord Jesus has the same compassion for us in our spiritual walk with Him. He does not want us to faint along the way in our life journey. He provides us with food to sustain our spiritual growth through His Word. As we have our quite time with Him, through our devotions, prayer, and Bible reading we can rest assured that we will not go away hungry. Make sure you put in the effort to get your daily spiritual nourishment for the journey. Jesus doesn’t want to send you away hungry.

Bible Studies

SOLA SCRIPTURA (Scripture Alone)

Loring Schultz

“I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, since it is neither right nor safe to go against conscience. May God help me. Amen.” (Luther at Diet of Worms, 1521)

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Over the next five weeks we will be addressing the ‘Five Solas’ of the Reformation. These are five Latin phrases from the Reformation period of the 16th century. “Sola’ in Latin is the English word ‘only.’ The early reformers recognized a drift away from Scripture in the Catholic Church essential to the teaching of the gospel. The “Five Solas’ represent the very core of the Christian faith. They are as follows, Sola Scriptura: Scripture is the only infallible authority for faith and practice. Solus Christus: Christ in His person and work is the only Savior. Sola gratia: Only the sovereign grace of God accomplishes salvation. Sola fide: Faith is the only instrument by which we are untied to Christ and receive all His benefits. Soli Deo gloria: The purpose of salvation is to give all glory to God alone. We begin with ‘Sola Scriptura.’ Scripture is the only infallible authority for faith and practice.

The apostle Paul declared in 2 Timothy, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17 esv) Since Scripture is breathed out by God, His words spoken to us, it stands to reason that His Word stands. It is the only one that counts. The Bible is the only authority for the church today and always has been. The Bible is verbally and divinely inspired. They are the very words of God. It is the highest authority possible for it comes from God Himself and is the only source of His voice to us today.

The Bible is sufficient for all we need in the way of Salvation and how we are to live. There are no rules to follow that supersede or add to the teaching of Scripture. Again, ‘Scripture is the only infallible authority for faith and practice.’ Church constitutions and rules of procedures are important but we must be careful not to add or subtract the truth of Scripture.

The reformers knew Christians often looked for God’s power in external things of the church rather than Scripture itself. It didn’t help that most church goers of the day didn’t have access to the Scriptures. The reformers task was to then restore confidence in the people of the church in the Word of God and with understanding that God’s power and truth was in His Word and His Word alone.

The perspicuity, or clarity, of Scripture is affirmed by Scripture itself. God instructed Israel to teach their children His commandments. (Dt. 6:6-9) God gave us His Word for all to understand even the youngest among us. The Holy Spirit also guides us as he illuminates the words of Scripture to us in comprehending the truth of Salvation.

“Sola scriptura also fueled the translation of the Bible into German, French, English, and other languages, and prompted Bible teaching in the common languages of the day, rather than in Latin. In this way, the good news of Jesus Christ could be read by the ordinary people.” (Evangelical Alliance UK)

Devotionals

New Gems of Truth

Loring Schultz

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16 KJV

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‘What’s new?’ is a question you have asked and have been asked countless times. The inquiry ranges from new developments in one’s life to what’s new in general terms. It also carries with it the idea that something new means something old is done away with, and that is true in most cases, but not all. In particular, it is not true of sacred scripture, the Bible. There has been debate in recent decades over the authority of the Old Testament since Jesus’s time on earth and the completion of the New Testament. The New Testament records Jesus’s ministry, His pronouncement of the Heavenly Kingdom, the New Covenant, the early church, and future events. It is thought by some that Jesus’s fulfilment of the Old Testament oversees the necessity to follow the truths recorded in it. But Jesus has a much different view of sacred scripture from today’s debaters.

Jesus quoted often from the Old Testament mostly from the book of Deuteronomy. He explained the scriptures on the road to Emmaus as He walked along with Cleopas and his friend starting with Moses and all the prophets on how they related to Himself. (Lk. 24:13-32) Jesus also said to His disciples before His ascension into heaven, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” (Lk. 24:44-45) Jesus wanted His disciples and us to understand the truths of Old Testament especially concerning Himself and the plan of Salvation.

While teaching the disciples about Himself and the kingdom of God in Matthew chapter 13, Jesus asked them, “Do you understand all these things?’ ‘Yes,’ they said, ‘we do.’” (Mt. 13:51) Jesus then went on, “Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old.” (Mt. 13:52) Now that they understood the truths about Jesus in the Old Testament, the disciples had new gems of truth to teach alongside the old truths. Today we have God’s completed Word in the Old and New Testaments. The insights from Jesus’s parables are understood through the truths of the Old Testament and Old Testament truths are understood through ‘New Gems of Truth.’

A Christian Perspective

The Greatest Love Story Ever Written

Loring Schultz

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 NIV

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A new children’s story Bible was released in September of this year by children’s book publisher, Beaming Books. Titled ‘The Just Love Story Bible’ it is a collection of 52 stories, 26 from the Old Testament and 26 from the New Testament. The idea is one story for each week of the year for children to read. The authors are Rev. Jacqui Lewis, a New York City pastor, and the Rev. Shannon Daley-Harris. Their goal is to reach children ‘with a colorful Bible focused on justice and love.’ (1)

The headline announcing the release of the book from the Religious News Service is, “’New children’s Bible aims to capture diverse, nonpatriarchal, ‘theology of love and justice.’” Sadly, the authors are moving away from the inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture to promote a progressive and contemporary agenda. The book is geared toward the 4–10-year-old age group. Rev. Daley-Harris states, “It’s OK to actually tell kids from the get-go: Some of these stories are about true people and things that really happen, and some of them are made-up stories, but they’re in there because they can still teach us true things about God.” (1)

Rev. Lewis says, “Our agenda is teach young people a theology of love and justice that we don’t have to unlearn because they understand from the beginning what this faith is really about.” I find it hard to comprehend Rev. Lewis’ explanation of teaching a theology of love and justice so we don’t have to unlearn it when her very teaching does just that, teaching what will need to be unlearned. On the resurrection of Jesus, Rev. Lewis says, “And when we got to resurrection, I went all the way philosophical, ‘some people like Plato think…’ and ‘some people like Aristotle think… ,’ to just introduce our faith also includes doubt and the possibility of having a hermeneutic of suspicion. Did that happen? For me, it matters more that children know that love never dies, so that’s where I landed.” (1)

In questioning the resurrection of Jesus, their premise that ‘love never dies’ is flawed. If Jesus did not rise from the dead then His entire purpose for coming into this world to die for our sins defeating death by His resurrection because of His love for us is not complete. We have no assurance of eternal life; our hope is still in the grave with a love that has not been resurrected. That’s where I land.

The good news is Jesus did rise from the dead completing all that is necessary for our salvation as we put our trust in Him. It did happen. It is dangerous to prevaricate certain portions the Bible especially to children. Jesus said, “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Mt.18:6 niv)

Where ‘The Just Love Story Bible’ and its authors get it wrong is at the very beginning with the title of the book. They failed to acknowledge the greatest love story ever written is the Bible, even for children. It is all about Jesus. It is all about God’s plan of salvation for each one of us, and it is all about love. It is the original just love story Bible. No need to unlearn it, but a great need to learn from it.

(1) https://religionnews.com/2025/10/16/new-childrens-bible-aims-to-capture-diverse-nonpatriarchal-theology-of-love-and-justice/

Devotionals

God’s Orderly Design     

Loring Schultz

Read: 1 Timothy 2:9-15 NLT – And I want women to be modest in their – Bible Gateway

“There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28 NLT

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Having established proper order and maintaining it in any area of life here on earth prevents confusion and even chaos.

Our God is a God of perfect order. When the world starts to change up what God has designed there is mass confusion. Our world does not function as it should because it is out of order of God’s original design. God has a specific design for men and women and the roles of each in our world today. We can see the chaos that has developed over recent years when God’s creation order is ignored. But more on that at a future date. Today, our concentration is on God’s design for men’s and women’s roles in the Christian church.

First of all, men and women are equal in the body of Christ. Paul, the apostle affirms this in the book of Galatians. (Gal.3:28) However, men and women have different roles in the church when it comes to the corporate worship service. God has designed men to be responsible for leading the church in worship. This results in a lot of push back in 2025. But God commanded it. Women are in no way inferior to men in spiritual matters. Both men and women learn equally from the preaching of the Word. It is by God’s orderly design.

Adhering to the truth of Scripture is vital for the Christian church in all its functions, activities, and mode of worship. God’s Word has not changed over time to meet the demands of a changing culture. Accepting any changes opens up the whole Bible to question what is for today and what is not. But more importantly, the way of salvation becomes subject to change. There is only one way of salvation (Jn.14:6) and it is in God’s unchanging Word along with His design for worship.

A Christian Perspective

Back to Church Sunday

Loring Schultz

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.’” Matthew 11:28-30 NLT

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Tomorrow Sunday September 21st is ‘National Back to Church Sunday.’ Recognized on the third Sunday in September, it is a drive to invite people back to church, and if one has never attended church, now is a good time. It is community, and where you will find peace, but it is so much more than that. A Bible believing, preaching church will introduce you to Jesus Christ, God the Son. He is where true peace comes from. Peace in this world and assurance of life eternal. There is the ultimate community with brothers and sisters in Christ which the world cannot match. No matter where you reside in this world, find a Bible believing church in your area and attend this Sunday. See you there!

A Christian Perspective

Taken Out of Context     

Loring Schultz

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17 NIV

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 NIV

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Last weekend, recently drafted Cleveland Browns quarterback, Dillon Gabriel got caught in the social media ‘taken out of context’ web. A question by a sideline reporter was not fully aired or referred to, only his answer. “Speaking with CBS Sports reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala, Gabriel was asked about his comfortability in front of a camera. The poised Gabriel was authentic in his answer, a harmless and fun response.” (1) Gabiel’s fun response escalated rapidly when sports reporters and commentators from major sports outlets looking for a story failed to do their journalistic research. Their main concern was to adapt the answer to their bias narrative ignoring the truth. Eventually the truth came out, but the damage was done and too late for all the headline and sound bite social media followers who never saw the update.

I’m sure many of us have been taken out of context having our words twisted to mean something other than what was intended. Most of the time it is done to humiliate us or to put their opinion into focus as the right point of view. We may not be able undo the damage each time, but it is imperative for Christians that we try because our integrity and the truth is at stake.

Social media and bias reporters work as a conduit to get many false narratives accepted by as many people as they can to push their agenda. The Bible has been taken out of context for centuries, but not at the rate it is today. Again, those with a certain point of view and an agenda to push due to their politics or to satisfy the changing culture will take the Bible out of context to suit themselves. The Bible’s truth has not changed. It is not subject to re-interpretation. The Bible is not a fluid document, but the very Words of God. God’s Words mean the same today as when they were first written. It is vital for Christians to take a stand for the unchanging truth of God’s Word. Jesus confirmed the truth of God’s Word in His intercessory prayer, and Paul tells us not to be ashamed and to correctly handle the word of the truth (The Bible). It may come with criticism and be taken out of context, but we have proof the Bible is true as we apply it to our lives through the Holy Spirit.

(1) Browns’ Dillon Gabriel clarifies ‘entertainers’ and ‘competitors’ comment, wasn’t referencing Shedeur Sanders

Devotionals

A Christian’s Conduct

Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 119:1-16 NLT – Psalm 119 – Aleph Joyful are people of – Bible Gateway

“Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees!” Psalm 119:5 NLT

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Every Christian has a spotlight shining on them. We could say it is the light of Christ reflecting off us and that would be true, but I surmise the spotlight is one placed on us by others who know of our faith and are keeping an eye on us. Those watching us are both other Christians and non-Christians, even our own church family. Living in the light of Christ and in obedience to Scripture is more than a testimony towards those outside of Christ but is a requirement on how all Christians should act before their brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, can be thought of as the ‘word of life’ intended to give us godly instruction. Almost every verse throughout the psalm has a reference to God’s Word. ‘Commandments, decrees, instructions, laws, word, and regulations’ are noted in the first sixteen verses of the chapter, and it continues up to its conclusion.. It is indeed a chapter of instruction. It is a chapter in the word of God that’s all about the word of God.

The psalmist in the front half portion of the psalm writes, “You have charged us
to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently
reflect your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands.” (Ps.119:4-6 nlt) Being charged by God to keep His commandments and decrees, the psalmist’s desire is for his actions to match what God’s Word commands him to do. So should be our desire as Christians in 2025, to have our conduct submitted in accordance with Scripture. Our Christian conduct should reflect our faith in Christ by obeying His Word in front of those who do not know the Lord, leading them to Him, and to those who do.