The Perfect Timing of Jesus’ Birth – The True Meaning of Romans 1.3

In verse 3 of the Book of Romans, Paul refers to Jesus and then goes on to define Jesus’ physical genealogy. “(Jesus) was descended from David according to the flesh…” There are two key points to note here, first that Paul believed Jesus was flesh, not some airborne spirit, and secondly that he was able to trace his birthright back to David, and consequently from there back to Abraham.

Five Topical Sins Committed by Christians

We are all sinners in one form or another as none of us is perfect. However for Christians there are those sins we commit that we have no knowledge of because they are taken for granted as being part of who we are.

Practicing Gratitude When Life is Compromised

Gratitude is a prayer. Imprisoned in North Korea, Lu Linn practiced gratitude. Imprisoned in a Nazi death camp, a child noticed a flower blooming and was thankful. Smiling is also an expression of gratitude.

How You Regard Jesus Christ is Important For You Now, and Especially With Regard to Your Future

This is a most amazing incident with astounding consequences. We hear the disciples of Jesus asking questions and almost being satisfied with debate and discussion. Debate and discussion was never enough for Jesus Christ. Jesus acted. Many prefer to keep their religion intellectual and academic and theological or philosophical, but not so Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

The Precepts of Buddhism

The 10 precepts of Mahayana Buddhism comprise one of the three legs on which Buddhist teaching and practice stand. The other two are zazen and enlightenment-wisdom. These three are intimately related.

Praying For People We Find to Be Difficult

I suppose that it was the Sermon on the Mount that stirred me to think about blessing. I was inspired to wonder about blessing and to experiment.

Reflections Regarding Calvinism and Theological Disagreement

Many Protestants are locked into disagreement about Calvinism and other theological controversies. Such disagreements have affected my life and that of my family. Here are some observations based on my experiences with this.

The Sixth Patriarch

The sixth patriarch is one of the most distinguished masters in the history of Zen. Almost single-handedly he stripped from Buddhism its Indian cloak of otherworldliness and emphasis on sutra reading and doctrinal study that had previously characterised it in China. In doing this, he laid the foundations for what we now know as Zen Buddhism.

Zen Devotions

No element of the Zen devotions occupies a more central role than chanting. There is hardly a Zen temple or centre were men and women do not assemble in the main hall at least once a day and chant sutras and the words of the masters who have realised the highest truth. Chanting forms the focal ground on which every ritual, ceremony, and right of passage is performed, setting a tone through which participants acquire a heightened awareness of and receptivity to what is being enacted.

Should Buddhists Eat Meat?

When it comes to spiritual enlightenment there are far more fundamental requirements than the eating or not eating meat. And within the Buddhist way, it is not a simple matter of should or should not. As one’s spiritual practice deepens, subconscious fears and compulsive habits will gradually fade, and the body-mind acquires an increasingly keen sensitivity, so that you will naturally develop a preference for vegetarian food.

Is There a Special Zen Diet?

The simple answer would be no, as this would be a contradiction in terms. As soon as you put forward the idea of a Zen diet you enslave yourself to it. The main premise of Zen teachings is freedom to accept or reject without compulsion or remorse.

Spiritual and Biblical Insights About Envy and Jealousy

Protection from the wedge of jealousy begins with honesty. Each person should honestly consider his or her own tendency toward jealousy, answering the question, What makes me jealous?