Category Archives: Articles

Various Topics

Decline in Bible Reading

Posted on by

by Mike James

A survey conducted by the American Bible Society (ABS), “State of the Bible USA 2024,” has indicated a continuing decline in American Bible reading. This decline seems to be much more pronounced in younger people. Generation Z (those born between 1997 and 2012) are the least engaged. This age range is also the least likely to view the Bible as important in their lives. Of course, this is the youngest age range we can survey, and many of us as teens were probably not too interested in the Bible.

Continue reading →

Issues with Abijah

Posted on by

by Mike James

One of the arguments critics of the Bible make is that there are seeming contradictions in the Scriptures. I disagree with that assessment. Careful study of the Scriptures will reveal the seeming contradictions can be resolved.

One of these seeming discrepancies revolves around the person of King Abijah (Abijam) of Judah. In the book of Kings, this king’s name is Abijam (1 Kings 15:1), while in Chronicles, he is called Abijah (2 Chronicles 11:21-22).

Continue reading →

Giving Is Worship

Posted on by

by Mike James

Worship is defined as reverence and adoration of God. This can be done in numerous ways. When we attend Sabbath and holy-day services we are expressing reverence for God. Studying His words and praying to Him can be included in worship. Singing hymns to God and helping other brethren are also forms of worship for God. But let’s not forget the idea of giving (tithes and offerings) as a form of worship too.

Continue reading →

Pain Can Be Good!

Posted on by

by Mike James

“Only great pain is the ultimate liberator of the spirit…. I doubt that such pain makes us ‘better’; but I know that it makes us more profound.”—Frederich Nietzsche.

“To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.”—Nietzsche

“That which does not kill us makes us stronger.”—Nietzsche

I don’t know if Nietzsche read his Bible, but he seemed to know a bit about pain and suffering.

One of the primary arguments non-believers make against Christianity is that if God is good and defined as love, why does He allow so much pain and suffering in the world? Obviously, since He is God, He would have the capability to remove the pain and suffering. This is a bigger question than I have the room to address in this short blog, but I want to provide a partial answer by addressing the positive side of pain.

Continue reading →

At One With God Now?

Posted on by

by Mike James

I recently had a discussion with some ministers in the Church of God, Seventh Day (COG7D). The meeting addressed why we keep the holy days and why they do not.

I would like to address a couple of their scriptural reasons for not keeping the holy days so we can better prepare ourselves for doctrines that are contrary to our own.

The first scripture their primary speaker addressed to say why they don’t need to keep the holy days was Romans 5:11. Here is what this scripture says: “Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation” (NIV).

Continue reading →

Least of the Commandments

Posted on by

by Mike James

In the Gospel of Matthew 5:19 we read this interesting verse: Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. The question I’d like to answer here is what is meant by “these least commandments.”

Continue reading →

Resolving Conflict Part II

Posted on by

by Mike James

In our last blog, we discussed some ideas to help us resolve conflict. Due to a presentation I am giving this month, I was able to do some research on this subject—so much so that I have enough data for another blog on conflict resolution.

Continue reading →

Resolving Conflict Part I

Posted on by

by Mike James

Later this month, I will be working with a ministry in the Jamaican Church to discuss conflict resolution in marriage. In doing the research on this presentation, I decided to write this blog to offer some data that may help us in resolving all kinds of conflict. Perhaps I will provide more data in my next blog.

Continue reading →