I made the mistake of asking a friend for some book suggestions related to the chapter on worship for the Provocative Christian Living book. He suggested a book that connects our worship of God to our doing justice for the poor, oppressed and enslaved. It was not what I expected but more than I could …
Author: Dan Lacich
Provocative Bible Verses: When Submission is a Bad Thing
A recent post on the topic of submission in the Bible has received a fair amount of response in the way of readers and comments. A couple of those readers pointed out a missing piece in what I said. Put simply the question would be, is there ever a time when a Christian should refuse …
Continue reading Provocative Bible Verses: When Submission is a Bad Thing
Provocative Bible Verses: Sacrificing for Your Enemies
No it does not say "Sacrificing Your Enemies" as good as that might sound at times. Jesus instead was pretty clear and adamant about us making sacrifices on behalf of our enemies. In the Sermon on the Mount he hits this hard. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. …
Continue reading Provocative Bible Verses: Sacrificing for Your Enemies
Is Mel Gibson a Hypocrite?
Okay, I never thought I would ever write about something that happened on "The View" but as they say, "never say never". The subject of Mel's divorce came up and he was called a hypocrite because of it. The reason is that he has a very public and very conservative Roman Catholic faith. Clearly divorce …
Don’t Even Think of Saying You Sacrifice for Jesus.
I came upon this quote recently. It was written by Dionysius the Bishop of Alexandria in 260AD. He wrote at the conclusion of a five year plague that at its height killed 5,000 people a day and by the end two out of every three inhabitants of the city. “Most of our brother Christians showed …
Continue reading Don’t Even Think of Saying You Sacrifice for Jesus.
Provocative Bible Verses: Submit to One Another
\"Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ\" Ephesians 5:21 Since the 1970\'s one of the mainstays of pop-psychology has been that in order to be an emotionally healthy human being you absolutely must look out for yourself first. You must make sure that you have a strong sense of self esteem. Most importantly, …
Continue reading Provocative Bible Verses: Submit to One Another
Easter is Over, Now What?
We have been reminded of and celebrated the fact that Jesus conquered sin and death and rose from the grave. Churches around the world did their best to worship God and inspire people. Choirs burst forth in song, preachers gave their all, the faithful dressed in their best. And with that, Easter for this year …
A Very Scary Saturday
What do you do the day after the person you have surrendered everything for, followed night and day for three years, were convinced would be the liberator and savior of your nation, is brutally executed like a common criminal? Between the Crucifixion and the Resurrection, there was Saturday. We are told next to nothing about …
The Point Most Often Missed on Maundy Thursday
Today is what many followers of Christ refer to as Maundy Thursday. Have you ever wondered what Maundy actually means. You would be stunned to find out. I know I was. Maundy comes from the Latin mandatum from which we get the word mandate. In the Latin Vulgate translation of the scriptures, after Jesus washes …
Continue reading The Point Most Often Missed on Maundy Thursday
Provocative Bible Verses: Judge Not Lest You Be Judged
It may be the most often quoted and yet most misunderstood verse in the whole Bible. People who have never even cracked open a Bible have heard and quoted this verse. "Do not judge so that you will not be judged" Matthew 7:1 Usually that verse is used like a hammer to immediately stop any …
Continue reading Provocative Bible Verses: Judge Not Lest You Be Judged
It is Really All About Jesus
The headline reads "Episcopal Minister defrocked after becoming a Muslim". I suppose it should not really come as a shock that someone would convert from one religion to another. It should not even be a shock that someone who was a minister in a Christian church would convert. It happens. What is incredible to me …
What is the Direction of Your Relationship With Jesus?
Think of it this way. Right now is your relationship with Jesus characterized more by Him coming towards you, or you going towards Him? Is Jesus pursuing the relationship with you or are you pursuing the relationship with Him? My contention is that most people would have to answer that the direction of the relationship …
Continue reading What is the Direction of Your Relationship With Jesus?
Provocative Bible Verses: Working at Your Salvation
The Bible is not nearly as complicated as people make it out to be. Yet, what I have learned is that it is simple enough that the least astute child can understand it's depths and deep enough that the most skilled of scholars can never fully grasp it's implications. This verse from Philippians comes to …
Continue reading Provocative Bible Verses: Working at Your Salvation
Provocative Bible Verses: Letting Strangers Live in Your House
One of the most common practices in the early church was that of hospitality. It was radical hospitality. It started with Jesus never having a house of his own and most often staying in homes of people who demonstrated radical hospitality. It continued when he sent out the first disciples, telling them to preach the …
Continue reading Provocative Bible Verses: Letting Strangers Live in Your House
Jesus’ Answer to the Economic Crisis
I am not a big fan of the WWJD bracelets, simply for the reason that a very good question, "What Would Jesus Do" quickly became a cliche' and not a way of life. But with that said I have to ask the question about the current economic crisis, "What Would Jesus Do?" It is an …
The Provocative Christian 