I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

- Jesus (John 8:12)

I love light.  When we have too many overcast days in a row, especially during winter, I can feel my inner light begin to flicker, and the cold seems that much colder.  But when the sun finally starts to peek through the clouds, it’s like God saying, “I’m back!”  I particularly enjoy it when the light bursts forth in distinct rays, like announcing a grand entrance.  Scottish theologian and author George MacDonald wrote that God gave the British so many nasty days that they might appreciate the good ones.

Jesus is often portrayed in the gospels and in Revelation as a glorious being, emanating a great light. While John of Patmos may be referring to a physical feature (Revelation 1:14,15), and likewise the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9), Jesus’ comment is of a spiritual nature.

Prior to the Son of God’s arrival, the world was in darkness.  Even the established religion of the land felt oppressive.  God felt less like a father, and more like an awesome force to tremble before.  And even with Christianity’s 2.5 billion followers, much of the world still seems in darkness.  The light of Jesus is needed now more than ever.

It’s interesting to note that he called himself the light of the world.

Read more »

The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

Psalm 119:130

As true as these words are, it is easy to misunderstand the meaning. What are the words of God? Most people that you ask would quickly point you to the Bible. This collection of writings, spanning better than 3,000 years, is the accepted standard of man’s relationship with his Creator.

It is not only the centerpiece for all of Christianity, it is touted as the only Word of God for most of Christendom. Like the Bible Belt comment for the Authorized King James Version (”If it was good enough for the Apostle Paul, it’s good enough for me!”), we make the assumption that men have always had it, and that God directed the writing and compilation of it.

Read more »

The Holy Bible is the primary guidebook for millions of spiritual followers around the world.  It’s touted as still the best-selling book ever.  The fact that it has been expanded from the King James Version to more modern translations and paraphrases is likely what has kept its ranking in book sales.  Add to that the many study Bibles (for men, women, teens, depressed people, workaholics, charismatics, etc.), and you can see why it remains popular.  But is it really God’s word?

One of the best dialogues I have heard recently was on the Neal Boortz talk radio show (I’m recreating it as best I can from memory.), when a caller remarked that God didn’t like such and such, to which Boortz replied, “How do you know that God doesn’t like it?”

Read more »