FrontLine
The Missionary’s Task and Qualifications
David Shumate As a young person I was an avid sports fan. Once I heard the wry observation that if the object of basketball were to get the ball into a hole in the floor, then the highest paid players would all be four feet tall. As humorous a mental picture as this may generate,…
Read MoreReasons for Disabilities
A Biblical Explanation Amy Crane Why did God allow this disability to happen?” “Why does God allow people to endure severe physical and emotional pain?” These are common questions that nonbelievers and Christians alike ask after learning, for example, that someone has been diagnosed with cancer, paralysis, depression, or a chronic illness. Christians sometimes think…
Read MoreWindows: The Power of the Overcoming Life
Jeff Musgrave This edition of “Windows” illustrates the power and function of the overcoming nature of the Christian Life found in the Greek words nike, nikos, and nikao. The Presupposition of Scripture —Built in Victory “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:37). “But thanks be…
Read MorePartakers of Christ’s Sufferings
John Vaughn Around 80 years ago1 the term “Fundamentalism” was coined to distinguish true, Bible-believing Christianity from the perversion that was replacing it in the major denominations. Darwinian evolutionary theory and German rationalist theology were eroding belief in absolute truth and replacing it with relativism. By the 1920s the damage was so extensive that those…
Read MoreStraight Cuts: Good Principle, Wrong Text
Layton Talbert “But he knoweth the way that I take; when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10). Job 23:10 has traditionally been used to express a Scriptural truth that has comforted and encouraged countless believers: God knows all we are going through and intends it only to strengthen and…
Read MoreMissions Matters
Mike Alvis Although we have work to do on our missions programs, the importance of the subject makes even the discussion a blessing. Rethinking missions allows us to give serious thought to a serious matter. Getting back to basics on missions means “getting back to the Bible.” I am personally thankful for the thoughtful articles…
Read MoreKeys to a Musical Reawakening
A Revival of Biblical Worship Gene Trantham “Hallelujah! Thine the glory; Revive us again.” Oh, how we desire genuine God-sent revival. How does one achieve a musical reawakening that rekindles our souls? Over the years, I have heard several music directors mention things that they do to generate energy in their musical situations: (1) upbeat…
Read MoreAll Things to All Men—or—Be Ye Separate
Randolph Shaylor An important principle of the Word of God is separation from doctrinal and ecclesiastical compromise and from unrighteous lifestyles and practices. Yet we are inundated with publications and ministries that insist that we must attract people, especially young people, by appealing to contemporary desires. Paul’s statement “I am made all things to all…
Read MoreLeonardo S. Mercado: The Story of a Hispanic Missionary Pioneer
Dick Mercado Leonardo S. Mercado’s family emigrated from Mexico City to Arizona during the days of the Mexican Revolution. Leonardo’s father, Gumecindo Mercado, chose to relocate his family away from the dangers of the Revolution and to the peace and quiet of Northern Arizona. The family’s travel by railway pushcart from Mexico through the El…
Read MoreProphets, Priests, & Kings: The History of Israel’s Monarchy – Part 4
Layton Talbert Previously in this series: Part 1 – Transition to Monarchy (1 Sam 1-8) Part 2 – The United Monarchy (1 Samuel 9–1 Kings 11) Part 3-The Northern Kingdom (1 Kings 12-2 Kings 17) This article is Part 4 – The Southern Kingdom In her 345-year history (931-586 B.C.), Judah saw 20 kings (well,…
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