Josh Benner

Category: Bible

  • A priest, two goats, and salvation

    Originally published September 29, 2017 For observant Jews all over the world, this evening, the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur in Hebrew) is celebrated. The Day of Atonement is the most holy of days in the Jewish calendar. It’s an annual picture of forgiveness that people could have. While Christians don’t celebrate this day, it’s…

  • The Greatest Commandment: the love of God

    You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might (Deuteronomy 6:5). We shouldn’t follow God’s ways because we think that will make him love us. That’s not the basis for God’s love for us. We shouldn’t follow God’s ways because we feel that…

  • Murderers, mobs, dictators and the gospel

    Originally posted March 7, 2016 In the gospel of Matthew, when Jesus was before the ruling Jewish council, he made a reference to his divine status. To the ruling council, this was taken as blasphemy. Within Rome, they didn’t have the authority to execute Jesus for his action, so they took him to Pontius Pilate, who…

  • Willow Creek fallout continues as pastor and elders all resign

    Willow Creek church was formerly the third largest church in America. A trailblazing church over the past 40 years under the visionary leadership of Bill Hybels. Hybles planned to retire later this year but this past spring, the Chicago Tribune reported about accusations of sexual misconduct. In the fallout, Hybels retried shortly after. The reigns…

  • Jesus didn’t die to keep you the same

    Jesus died to save sinners. It is out of the love that he has for that he died. But it is also because he loves us that he didn’t die to keep us the same. When the gospel takes root in someone’s heart, part of the evidence for a sincere faith is a life that…