FrontLine
Pharisees and Fundamentalists
Layton Talbert What is the difference between a Fundamentalist and a Pharisee? The two are implicit synonyms in many minds, as it has become increasingly popular to equate modern Fundamentalism with ancient Pharisaism. It is a serious charge—too serious to be lightly dismissed. Oversensitivity to criticism is a mark of immaturity and insecurity. Likewise, an…
Read MoreGetting Back to God’s Business
Phil Shuler [Note: Events mentioned in this article happened some time ago, we are republishing it to enjoy again the benefit of the spiritual lessons learned then.] I write this article from my home in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, where we are experiencing one of the worst floods in over 120 years. As I write,…
Read MoreThe Authority of the Scriptures
Paul W. Downey Many churches today base their ministries on one fad or another. In attempts to attract a larger crowd or larger offerings, many pastors “package” their churches as places where people can be entertained, fulfilled, or taught to cope with the difficulties of life. Our churches ought rather to be places where people…
Read MoreDistinguishing Between Truth and the Bearer of Truth
A Study in Matthew 23 Doug Proffit Years back, my oldest son and I were in the middle of an important “correction” session; I was obviously upset, and he boldly pointed out that I was angry and that I shouldn’t be. Wait a minute; he was the one who needed the correction, not me! Who…
Read MoreA Ministry of Necessary Controversy (4)
Mark Minnick This is Part Four of four parts • One • Two • Three In Part One, Dr. Minnick introduces Benjamin Keach and some of the features of his life and times which produced Benjamin Keach, the controversialist. In Part Two, Dr. Minnick covers Keach’s early ministry as he faced imprisonment and persecution for…
Read MoreHoney for a Lifetime from a Moment of Pain
Robert D. Vincent My screams brought my mother hurtling out the front door of our home in Orange Park, Florida. From the volume of noise I was producing she no doubt suspected that I was on the verge of severe injury, or worse, that the injury had already taken place. By the time she reached…
Read More“The Yearning of the Spirit” James 4:5
Dave Pennington Many consider James 4:5 to be one of the most difficult passages to interpret within the entire epistle. Some believe it is one of the most difficult verses to interpret within the entire New Testament. While every Bible student will wrestle with this challenging verse, interpreting and applying its content provides both intellectual…
Read MoreA Ministry of Necessary Controversy (3)
Mark Minnick This is Part Three of four parts • One • Two • Four In Part One, Dr. Minnick introduces Benjamin Keach and some of the features of his life and times which produced Benjamin Keach, the controversialist. In Part Two, Dr. Minnick covers Keach’s early ministry as he faced imprisonment and persecution for…
Read MoreLessons Learned from Suffering
Marty Goggins Being an associate pastor, I am often called upon to visit the sick, a portion of my ministry that I enjoy immensely. It affords me the opportunity to give words of encouragement to the suffering, and more importantly, it is an excellent time to give people the gospel. Our Lord had tremendous compassion…
Read MoreThe Kingdom of God
Preston Mayes If someone asked you to summarize the message of the Bible in one sentence, how would you answer? You could say it is about the glory of God. That is true, but the statement does not adequately express the message of Scripture. Nobody summarizing the plot of a work such as A Christmas…
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