Category: Forthright Magazine

Here’s where it all began, back in 1996 or 97. Forthright goes straight to the Cross of Christ and from there to the world.

Disagreeing as a Christian

We are not out to win people to what we want but to win people to serve and be faithful to Jesus.

Although Christians don’t want to be known for causing fights and conflicts, at times such are inevitable. Paul wrote to the Romans that Christians are to “Live in harmony with one another … If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:16, 18 NIV). And most Christians get that. But we also realise, as Paul stated, there are times we may be doing all we can to live at peace but others are determined that there will be no peace – “as far as it depends on you”. Continue reading “Disagreeing as a Christian”

Restoring a proper view of the Bible

What will God lovers who have restored a right view of the Bible?

The Bible has become a source for trivia lovers. Some part of it often serves as a category for game shows. Christians need to do all within their power to restore a proper view of the Bible. We would do well to heed the advice of the Lord. “Thus says the Lord: ‘Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls’” (Jeremiah 6:16).

There are several reasons to restore a proper view of the Bible. Continue reading “Restoring a proper view of the Bible”

Would My Dad Have Stayed Where You Worship?

Dad wanted to anchor his life upon God and Christ.

During World War 2 in the South Pacific, a young man stood on the deck of the USS Appalachian, a disguised flagship, where he watched battleship shells pound island after island shredding their forests into organic debris. Then the marines would land. Eventually the most disgusting smell he had ever experienced would reach his nostrils ─ the burning of human corpses.

The heart of this young man told him that there must be more to life than what we experience. There must be more. Thus the seed was sown for my dad’s journey. Continue reading “Would My Dad Have Stayed Where You Worship?”

Is 2023 the only Year of the Mission?

God sends, Jesus calls, here’s how to respond.

When I say that the year 2023 is for me the Year of the Mission, what do I mean? It’s not that other years weren’t mission years, nor that future years won’t be. It is a way of organizing my plans and my teaching. Something I do each year, using a theme for emphasis. Continue reading “Is 2023 the only Year of the Mission?”

3 important principles for starting again

These principles put into practice what Jesus did.

When inventor Thomas Edison watched his laboratory burn to the ground, he supposedly commented that he was happy to be able to begin again from scratch. That attitude has reminded me over the past several days that God gives us many opportunities in the midst of trials, disasters, and suffering. Continue reading “3 important principles for starting again”

Love your enemies

Jesus’ cure for hating others is two-fold.

The Jews hated the Gentiles. The Dead Sea Scrolls contained a teaching that Jews should “hate all the sons of darkness each according to his guilt in God’s vengeance.” Some might say the Jews had cause to hate the Gentiles for the number of times they were mistreated, taken into captivity and slavery. Continue reading “Love your enemies”

Principles of restoration

Two principles are at the core of restoration.

“Now to him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began” (Romans 16:25 NKJV).

The effort to restore true Biblical Christianity is, as we discussed in last week’s article, an unending and never fully accomplished goal. In order to pursue it seriously, however, certain essential principles must be followed. Continue reading “Principles of restoration”

The importance of Jesus’ resurrection

Because of Jesus’ resurrection we have hope.

What will happen after we die? That is a question that people struggle with. Sadly, it is also a question Christians often struggle with. Despite the assurances we have in scripture, many are still anxious about what happens when we die and what will happen after death. If only someone would come back and tell us what it is like, we often hear.

Yet someone did! He left us the information that we need to know about what happens when we die. Continue reading “The importance of Jesus’ resurrection”