Becoming Seven Times Worse than Before: Understanding Matthew 12:43–45

Last updated on: September 24, 2022 at 3:34 pm By B. J. Oropeza

Jesus’s parable about the return of seven spirits is situated after Matthew’s version of blaspheming the Holy Spirit and similar judgment teachings (Matthew 12:43–45; and parallel in Luke 11:24–26). The term “unclean spirit” is a Jewish way of referring to demons. How is it that this demon who was cast out of a person can return with reinforcements to possess that person again making him seven times worse? Does this refer to vulnerabilities related to backslidden Christians? The Teaching of... Read more

How To “Walk in the Spirit”

Last updated on: September 24, 2022 at 3:38 pm By B. J. Oropeza

One of the Apostle Paul’s repeated sayings is for believers to walk in the Spirit: Romans 6:4: “Consequently, we were buried with him through the baptism into his death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so also we might walk in a newness of life.” Romans 8:4, 14: “So that the righteous requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, the ones who walk not in accordance with the... Read more

Can a Christian Be Demon Possessed?

Last updated on: September 24, 2022 at 3:40 pm By B. J. Oropeza

I was recently asked this question, which is apparently still a live one. There are Christians out there who believe that other Christians can be demon possessed or “demonized.” I must first begin with the humble admittance that I am no expert when it comes to personal experience with demon possessed people. I have never participated in a real exorcism that I am aware of. All I can say is based on what I know from Scripture. Two issues complicate... Read more

How to Experience Spiritual Renewal: 10 Ways

Last updated on: September 24, 2022 at 3:42 pm By B. J. Oropeza

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How does a person experience personal spiritual renewal? Nehemiah 8–9 gives us some good biblical principles to follow on the subject of spiritual renewal. After the Jews returned from the Babylonian captivity (c. 6th century B.C.E) Nehemiah, the Persian King’s cup-bearer, felt burdened to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. After he completed rebuilding the walls, the Israelites held a celebration beginning the first day of the seventh month, during the Feasts of Trumpets and Feast of Tabernacles. Some of the... Read more

Revival and Worship Today: Lessons from the Great Awakening

Last updated on: September 24, 2022 at 3:51 pm By B. J. Oropeza

Worship, renewal, and revivals are not without controversies. Ever since the Great Awakening, and likely way before then, people have reacted with strange behavior when experiencing the Spirit of God. I recall taking a course at Fuller Theological Seminary where my professor juxtaposed wars and revivals in American history. He pointed out a pattern that repeated itself—roughly every 20 years either war or revival breaks out in America. The last arguable “revival” or renewal we have seen in North America... Read more

Vice Lists in Paul’s Letters: 5 Observations

Last updated on: September 24, 2022 at 3:56 pm By B. J. Oropeza

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The Apostle Paul’s letters contain a number of vice lists. These lists specify vices (sins) that tend to disrupt the Christ community and a person’s relationship with the Lord. Among the most common are vices related to factions, idolatry, sexual immorality, drunkenness, envy, and greed. In the undisputed letters of Paul the most conspicuous lists appear in Romans 1:29–31; 13:13; 1 Corinthians 5:9–11; 6:9–10; 10:5–10; 2 Corinthians 12:20–21; and Galatians 5:19–21. In the disputed letters we find such lists in... Read more

Will There Be a Nuclear War? 5 Problems Related to the End-Times

Last updated on: September 24, 2022 at 4:54 pm By B. J. Oropeza

The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the treat of a nuclear holocaust has sparked on a new round of speculations about the end times. Will there be a nuclear war? Is World War III about to happen? Will Russia fulfill the Gog and Magog prophecy of Ezekiel 38–39? Are we about to experience the Battle of Armageddon? Will the end of the world take place soon? Is Christ about to return? Is it the end of the world? It is... Read more

Hospitality: Lessons from the Bible and Dio Chrysostom

Last updated on: September 24, 2022 at 3:54 pm By B. J. Oropeza

A couple of million people have now fled Ukraine due to the Russian invasion. This crisis will require the humanity, mercy, and hospitality of other nations to help the many refugees. The current crises prompts my reflection on the notion of hospitality towards all people. Here are some lessons from the Bible and also from Dio Chrysostom. The Apostle Paul charges Christ-followers to pursue hospitality (Romans 12:13). The author of Hebrews likewise says that Christians are not to neglect showing... Read more

What would Righteousness Look Like for Paul’s Original Roman Audience?

Last updated on: September 24, 2022 at 3:46 pm By B. J. Oropeza

We often read into the Bible our own assumptions. This means that we may have a tendency to read the notion of “righteousness” (dikaiosune in Greek), especially in Paul’s letters, as justification. We may think about Martin Luther, the Reformation, and that justification has to do with God acquitting sinners and declaring them righteous on account of faith (Romans 1:16–17; Galatians 2:16). But then some professor comes along (like me!) and reminds us that Paul’s original audience nearly 2000 years... Read more

Do Miracles Still Happen? 7 Questions and Answers on Miracles

Last updated on: September 24, 2022 at 3:29 pm By B. J. Oropeza

From Moses parting the Red Sea, to Jesus healing lepers, to the Lady Fatima making the sun fall, people have reported miracles for centuries. What are miracles, and do they still occur in our secular age? Contrary to modern day skeptics, Dr. Craig Keener not only affirms their reality but claims they still happen today. He documents numerous examples in his massive two-volume set appropriately entitled, Miracles. He has also just written a user-friendly account of miracles entitled, Miracles Today.... Read more