Article 4 – Acts 15: The Council That Redefined the People of God truthsum.org
TS Writer 3 weeks ago in Spirit in Man Acts 15 records a decisive moment in the early Church—not because doctrine changed, but because God’s actions forced clarity. The Jerusalem Council was not debating abstract theories of salvation. The question was far more concrete: Must Gentiles take on Jewish covenant identity in order to belong to the Spirit-filled people of God? Within first-century Judaism, belonging followed clear categories. Jews were born into the covenant….
Article 3: The Spirit as the Beginning of Salvation — Why Circumcision Was Never the Gateway truthsum.org
TS Writer 1 month ago in Plan of Salvation Before continuing, it’s worth explaining the deliberate pace of this series. Many assumptions modern Christians bring to Paul’s letters were not formed directly from Scripture, but from generations of layered explanations, inherited frameworks, and well-intentioned yet flawed teaching. Over time, these ideas shape how the text is read automatically, often without being questioned. What should be a fairly understandable subject has been made unnecessarily complex….
From Transaction to Transformation: How Scripture Frames Law, Grace, Faith, and Salvation truthsum.org
TS Writer 2 weeks ago in Grace, Law, Sin, Repentance Much of modern Christianity operates within a transactional framework—one that views salvation primarily as a legal exchange. Humanity stands guilty before God, Jesus pays the penalty, and believers are declared righteous in a courtroom sense. While this model contains biblical elements, it often reduces the gospel to legal status and escape from judgment. Scripture presents a deeper and more relational vision. The gospel is not…
The Wedge of Social Media: Formation, Humility, and the Test of Community truthsum.org
TS Writer 4 weeks ago in God Family, Family Social media offers unprecedented access to ideas and communities, but it also exposes the cracks in our formation. Every belief finds reinforcement, every doubt an echo, every opinion a following. Children grow up immersed in this environment, and adults are not immune. Families strain, and even churches feel the pull. What matters most is not how loudly something is said, but what kind of foundation…
Lent: Scripture, Tradition, and the Question of Origins truthsum.org
TS Writer 2 days ago in Lent, Passover, Days of Unleavened Bread Discussions surrounding Lent often fall into two extremes. Many Christians assume that if a practice is ancient, widespread, and symbolically Christian, it must therefore be biblical. Others respond with sharp accusations, equating Lent with ancient pagan rituals and claiming participants are unknowingly “weeping for Tammuz.” Both approaches tend to shut down thoughtful examination rather than encourage it. A more careful approach distinguishes sincere modern devotion…
Three Choices: Good, Evil, & Life – Bill Hutchison leadingtolife.org
Ryan Welsh 4 days ago in Human Beings Stephen Covey observed that what distinguishes humans is our ability to step outside our emotions, thoughts, and instincts to evaluate and choose our response. This self-awareness allows us to act intentionally rather than reactively. Yet, despite this ability, many people allow feelings, conditioning, and impulse to define their actions, bypassing thoughtful reflection. Scripture highlights that a critical moment exists between experience and response – a space…
Is Lent in the Bible? – Isaac Khalil lifehopeandtruth.com
Ryan Welsh 5 days ago in Lent Lent is a 40-day period observed by some Christian denominations before Easter, involving fasting, prayer, and acts of repentance. While commonly associated with Catholicism, it is also practiced in various forms by Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, and some Presbyterian churches. Despite its widespread observance, Lent is not mentioned anywhere in the Bible. Historically, early Christians did not observe a 40-day fast. Prior to the fourth…