The New Testament often paints its greatest truths with the broadest brush strokes. From it we get the big picture about the ministry of reconciliation, being ambassadors for Christ, and being compelled by love. But with these grand principles, the New Testament also sketches smaller portraits that show us what these truths look like in […]
2021 Bible Advocate Theme: Faithful Hello, writers and readers of the Bible Advocate magazine! It is time to announce our theme for 2021. In line with the General Conference convention, our focus will be “Faithful.” Unlike recent years, we’ve decided not to have sub-themes for each of our six annual issues. This is good news […]
I can’t go in there, I thought as I turned away. The ramshackle outhouse I stood in front of teetered on the edge of a ravine, with just a scrap of cloth serving as the door. Village children, stray dogs, and small pigs observed me with interest as I edged away. My husband and I […]
Are you concerned about harmony within the church? Many of us are. How then can we be reconciled with our brothers and sisters in our congregations? What is the ministry of reconciliation that 2 Corinthians 5:18b talks about: “Christ . . . gave us the ministry of reconciliation”? After reading this text, I asked myself, Am […]
Despite the best effort of some, we live in a world fractured along ethnic, religious, political, and racial lines. Peace seems to elude the human race. Many of us believe that under certain conditions, peace would be attainable. If only we all had the same religious or political beliefs, or if only we were more […]
Six months ago, my husband and I began searching for a new church home. As we visited other congregations, I joked that we would join the first church where someone invited us to lunch. Six months and seven congregations later, we’re still waiting for that invitation. In our former church we had, from time to […]
After many years of faithful service, the ambassador to a major country was fired. The problem occurred when a dispute arose between his home country and the one he served in. At a press conference, when he was required to speak on behalf of his own government concerning a major disagreement — something that should […]
As I’m writing, the COVID-19 pandemic is sweeping the globe, impacting daily life for billions of people. If the past few months have taught us anything, it’s that we cannot predict the future. I can’t imagine what the world may be like by the time this article is published. What I do know is that […]
What roles do natural disasters, tragic accidents, plagues like COVID-19, and other human sufferings play in God’s will or plan? Scripture offers no single, simple solution to this question. Consider these oft-heard answers, open your Bible, and see how they stack up against the Word. Human suffering demonstrates God’s wrath and punishment for sin. […]
Peace Where is the peace the angels proclaimed? The earth still swirls with sin and pain. Only humble hearts swept clean Contain the Holy Gift. Believe, trust, bow low. Wise men still seek Him to know. Our true Peace. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. . . . Do not […]
