Practical Christian Living

Close attention to biblical characters can provide useful insights for preaching and teaching the Bible. This essay illustrates this claim by looking at the prophet Ezra. Israel had been in the Babylonian exile—according to Jeremiah it would last seventy years—and the Jews were allowed to return ...

This essay offers some thoughts on digital technology and argues that we should bring our digital life under the lordship of Jesus Christ. Digital technology makes life more comfortable and enjoyable in many ways. Thanks to the Internet, our digital devices such as desktops, laptops, tablets, sma...

Is the Bible relevant for informing our moral views concerning sexuality, sexual behavior, and marriage in the twenty-first century? The question is important, for the inquiry itself assumes something critical about the Bible. We do not find people asking questions such as, How is Plato’s view o...

Sex-Change Surgery A Current Position The rise of transgender issues to social prominence raises important questions for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. In particular, the question of sex-change surgery (also called sex reassignment surgery) challenges the Church with sensitive questions. Altho...

Racism and nationalism remain crucial challenges in our contemporary world. Media coverage, government actions, and academic studies have drawn attention to the persistent evil of racial, ethnic, and nationalistic prejudices in different parts of the world. Unfortunately, these problems may also...

Stephen Dumbar, L. James Gibson, and Humberto M. Rasi, eds. Entrusted: Christians and Environmental Care. Argentina: Adventus, 2013. x + 286 pp. US$19.95. How should Bible-believing Christians respond to environmental degradation? Entrusted , with its twenty-three chapters, is a response to this...

The sixth day of Creation week drew to its close. The new planet with its inhabitants testified eloquently to the wisdom and ingenuity of its Maker. For the sixth time "God saw that it was good" (Gen 1;4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25). Beauty, harmony, completeness, and satisfaction filled the air. Then th...

While millions of humans suffer, hunger, and die, others live extravagant lives. They own the hottest gadgets, have the newest and largest houses, seek constantly new forms of entertainment, and dedicate their lives to ever-changing fashion by wearing the latest and most expensive clothes. “The E...

In Eden God gave wonderful gifts to humanity. Two have survived Paradise, the Sabbath and marriage. These are supposed to be enjoyed and celebrated. Heterosexual marriage is about companionship, love, and mutual support. It is also the place to use the gift of sexual intimacy. When we talk about ...

Frank Hasel is dean of the theological department of Seminar Schloss Bogenhofen, Austria. After the untimely death of his wife—she passed away at age 44— he started working on this book “Longing for God: A Journal for Bible Study and Prayer.” It helped him cope with the tremendous loss. This is a...