There is an old saying, “A text without context is a pretext.” R. Scott Clark, writing in an article for Heideblog, says, “One way to be sure to handle the text of Scripture well and accurately is to place it in its original context. Failure to read Scripture against its original background will have unhappy …
Author Archives: Ken Cluck
Interpreting Graciously
This morning, I read an interesting post from a friend about Nehemiah and the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall. However, what was most interesting was that after posting the initial message, he felt compelled to add a disclaimer stating that it was not about immigration or any current news topic. He was meditating on a biblical …
Teach the Little Ones
Lately, I have been asked about certain things happening in our country. I decided to address these here. First, Louisiana has mandated displaying the Ten Commandments in all publicly funded classrooms. Second, Oklahoma’s State Superintendent mandated that all schools incorporate the Bible into classroom lessons and that any teacher refusing to follow the mandate would …
Praying in Jesus’s Name
Recently, the City Manager of Carlsbad, California, forbade a chaplain from invoking the name of Jesus in their prayers. Supposedly, the order would have allowed any other name but Jesus. A chaplain could have used Allah, Jehovah, etc., just not Jesus. Of course, this is unconstitutional and won’t even pass muster in the 9th Circuit. …
Definitions Matter
Definitions matter! Recently, I was involved in a discussion where a person referred to a certain church as a cult. Now, I am familiar with those churches and have friends who minister in them. But that is the problem with words. This person felt the term “cult” applied. I always play the philosopher part and …
Don’t take the Clickbait
Today, I read an article posted online. The headline read: “Scientists say they have found a chapter of the Bible hidden under a section of text for more than a thousand years.” After reading the article and then the underlying article on which the story was based, I just had to comment here about it. …
Be careful about dividing
This month is special among Christians. Easter falls on March 31. As such, it is full of meaning…and contention. Easter is our celebration of the resurrection of Christ and, as such, should be considered the most important date on the Christian calendar. Throughout our history, it was a time of great joy, but also a …
When you assume…
This week, I had an experience that made me laugh. I was online discussing an important subject—one which is regularly in the news. A person who responded made a hilarious assumption about me; since this subject has political ramifications, the assumption was about my political leaning. You see, I have had people on both the …
The Pope Said What?
Headlines lately read different versions of “Pope said some things.” There is a reason I say it this way. Over the years, I have often discussed things the Pope (three different popes) has said. I remember debating an issue with one person; he said, “OK. But even the Pope has said…” to support his …
Sharing False Witness
“[C]rying out, ‘Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.’ For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that …