Fortify Your Faith in an Age of Doubt

Book Review: The True Martin Luther King, Jr.

Author: Wayne Jackson

This is a review of Professor Michael Dyson's new book, _The True Martin Luther King_.

Any student of recent American history knows that one of the significant figures in the civil rights movement was Martin Luther King, Jr. And though some of his methods for achieving racial equality were not consistent with New Testament... Read more

The Jesus Seminar - Part 1

Author: Wayne Jackson

A response to the Jesus Seminar propaganda, as featured by Peter Jennings on ABC's special, _In Search of Jesus_

Recently (June 26, 2000), ABC News presented a special two-hour television program titled, In Search of Jesus, with popular broadcaster Peter Jennings as host. While the program touted itself as an objective investigation into the nature of the... Read more

The Jesus Seminar - Part 2

Author: Wayne Jackson

A response to The Jesus Seminar, as featured by the Peter Jennings ABC special, _In Search of Jesus_

As noted in our previous installment, the so-called Jesus Seminar has proposed a restructuring of Christian history—principally in three areas: First, this panel of liberal theologians has presented to contemporary society a new Jesus, whom they... Read more

What About Social Drinking and the Old Testament?

Author: Wayne Jackson

Does the Old Testament provide precedent for "social" drinking today?

A brother argues that Deuteronomy 14:26 proves that the use of alcoholic drinks is not sinful, otherwise the Lord would not have sanctioned it. Would you comment on this?" The text of Deuteronomy 14:26 reads as follows: “And thou shalt bestow... Read more

Is Capital Punishment a Deterrent?

Author: Wayne Jackson

This article addresses the issue of whether capital punishment is a deterrent.

Some insist that execution—even of a vicious murderer—is wrong, though they offer no moral criterion save their personal inclination for that judgment. Others, with an appeal of sorts to the Scriptures, allege that capital punishment is... Read more

Lessons from the La Brea Tar Pits

Author: Wayne Jackson

This article is a discussion of the fossil evidence found at the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles.

More than two hundred years ago, the Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portola wrote about the “muchos pantamos de brea,” i.e., the “extensive bogs of tar,” that he observed in what is now the Los Angeles area of southern California. Just seven miles... Read more

The Perfecting of Jesus Christ

Author: Wayne Jackson

A discussion of Hebrews 5:8-9.

The fifth chapter of the book of Hebrews has to do with Jesus Christ as our high priest. The chapter naturally divides into four segments. The nature of the high priest’s office under the Mosaic system. The appointment of Jesus as our high... Read more

What Does Isaiah Mean When He Says the Wolf Will Lie Down With the Lamb?

Author: Wayne Jackson

Will wolves literally lie down with lambs? What does Isaiah's prophecies mean?

Seven centuries before the birth of Jesus Christ, the prophet Isaiah peered into the future and depicted the glorious nature of the Messianic era for those who seek refuge in Christ. In vivid symbolism, he wrote: And the wolf shall dwell with the... Read more

Was God Cruel to Animals?

Author: Wayne Jackson

This is a response to those who may be critical of God for his command to Israel that they hock the horses taken in battle.

When the children of Israel were battling against the people of Canaan, God commanded them to “hough [hock] their horses” and burn their chariots (Joshua 11:6). What was the purpose in this? It seems both cruel and wasteful. Whenever a command... Read more

Tiny Clues - Dramatic Results

Author: Wayne Jackson

The New Testament record of women being the first witnesses to Christ's resurrection argues for the integrity of the biblical records.

Sometimes things on the surface appear so insignificant, yet they turn out to be dramatically important. Let me cite a couple of examples that speak to the issue of the credibility of the New Testament. The authors of the four Gospel narratives... Read more

Does Mark 7:4 Authorize Sprinkling?

Author: Wayne Jackson

This article addresses a sectarian argument that attempts to justify sprinkling as a substitute for immersion.

In Mark’s Gospel account there is a passage which describes the custom of the Pharisees with reference to cleansing themselves from certain contaminations they believed they might contract from Gentiles. In this latter phrase, the word “washing”... Read more

Herodotus and the Bible

Author: Wayne Jackson

This article shows how the histories of Herodotus confirm the reliability of the Bible.

Herodotus was a Greek historian of the fifth century B.C. It is believed that he lived approximately 484-425 B.C. For a number of years he traveled throughout the Persian empire, Egypt, and Scythia observing the culture of these ancient peoples.... Read more

1 Corinthians 6 - No Shield for Lawbreakers

Author: Wayne Jackson

A discussion of whether a Christian can appeal to civil law in a defense against another Christian

Recently I received a letter from a brother in a distant state. He was seeking my advice with reference to 1 Corinthians 6:1ff—Paul’ s prohibition against taking a brother to law. Here is his story. He was employed by a state agency, but he had... Read more

The Creation "Days" - Literal or Figurative?

Author: Wayne Jackson

This article attempts to determine the meaning of the term "days" in connection with the creation week.

Dr. George Wald of Harvard University was a militant proponent of the theory of evolution. He was, though, at least honest enough to admit that the theory was fraught with some very serious difficulties. These problems, however, in Wald’s view,... Read more

Was Jehoshaphat King of Israel?

Author: Wayne Jackson

An explanation for an alleged contradiction concerning King Jehoshaphat

In 2 Chronicles 19:1, Jehoshaphat is called the “king of Judah,” but in 2 Chronicles 21:2, he is called “king of Israel.” Since the kings of Judah and the kings of Israel were of two different lines, is this a mistake in the Bible record? No, it... Read more

Al Gore on Evolution and School Violence

Author: Wayne Jackson

Former Vice President Al Gore comments on evolution and violence in the public schools

While Al Gore was vice-president of the United States, he deserved due respect because of the position he held. This is the biblical teaching of Romans 13:1ff. When Paul wrote that epistle, one of the worst rulers in history, Nero Caesar, was on... Read more

Church Discipline - A Tragic Neglect

Author: Wayne Jackson

A study of church discipline, especially the ultimate act of withdrawal of fellowship

It is difficult to imagine what it would be like to live in a society where citizens could flaunt the rules and absolutely no consequences would follow—no fines, no imprisonment, etc. Can you conceive of a home environment where the children are... Read more

What about Braided Hair?

Author: Wayne Jackson

A discussion of Paul's prohibition of braided hair, gold, etc.

In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he seems to forbid a woman wearing her hair braided. Can you comment on this? What would be the reason behind this prohibition? The full context of any passage, plus other relevant information elsewhere in the... Read more

The ACLU - Bible Enemy No. 1

Author: Wayne Jackson

What a perverse operation it is, when the ACLU uses the Bible--which it detests so much--as a money-raising scheme for its God-dishonoring agenda.

In some public schools, it’s a science textbook. What’s taught in Sunday school shouldn’t be taught in Monday through Friday school. But that’s exactly what’s happening. School officials that impose their religious beliefs on your children are in... Read more

Do the Scriptures Authorize Multiple Cups?

Author: Wayne Jackson

Why do so many churches use a plurality of "cups" in administering the Lord's supper, when the Scriptures appear to authorize just one, "a cup"?

Why do so many churches use a plurality of “cups” in administering the Lord’s supper, when the Scriptures appear to authorize just one — “a cup”? There are some Christians who firmly believe that using more than one container in observing of the... Read more