Articles by Marty Kessler

Absarootintootinlootly! (OK, that’s not really a word, but you know what I mean) and the proof is right there in the texts of holy scripture. The Bible is not a science book per se, and is actually often held in contrast to all things scientific. However, the information revealed to mankind within its pages is not only scientifically accurate in every way, but accurate in several different a...

But what is this new birth Jesus teaches that is by water and the Spirit of God? I believe that everything in Jesus’ New Testament teaches us that it is the spiritual birth of a soul into the family of God that takes place at baptism. We can begin right here in the very context where Jesus introduces us to the idea: After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and ...

The unanswered question from last week’s article remains, “How can I know that I am a child of God?” The answer begins with faith in Jesus Christ: He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of...

Election Day! We cast out votes for candidates and issues put before us. But sometimes our wishes in an election are frustrated. That’s democracy. God’s ‘vote’, however, is never frustrated. It is His universe. When He votes for you, you’re in. Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was ...

Of course it is an old joke, the answer to which is, “You can see his lips moving.” We call it ‘funny’ because, sadly and ironically, there is a ring of truth to it. But in the eyes of God, there is nothing funny about lying. As a matter of fact, He takes dishonesty very seriously whether you are a politician or a child. It was a lie that gave birth to the deception by whic...

The Queen of Sheba said of Solomon‘s wealth and wisdom, “…I did not believe the reports, until I came and my eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. You exceed in wisdom and prosperity the report which I heard.” 1st Kings 10:7 Consider a few impressive details concerning Solomon‘s reign: 666 talents of gold annually, 1st Kings 10:14 (that’s near...

If the Christ were to visit American society today, simply to live for a while as a member of his church, would he be comfortable with you? Better yet , would you be comfortable with him? Have you considered the fact that he was homeless, even without a place to lay his head according to Luke 9:57-58? Would we consider him a bum? He told people that they were wrong in religious and spiritual matte...

…That I should be the main focus of worship and Bible class and so what is done there should always appeal to my tastes and be fun, entertaining and enjoyable. …That I know enough of the Bible already, so there is no need for me to waste my valuable time with further personal study at home. …That Bible classes are for those who need them, and me and my family are good people, ...

…and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourging, yes also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world ...

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America There it is in black and white. Clear enough....

You want change? Well I sure do. But not the kind of change we see looming on today’s political horizon. We are in desperate need of changes that go deeper that the presidency. Yes, I’m for change. I want to see common sense rule (if nothing else) with regard to the definition of marriage. Have people just lost their minds? No other known creature in the universe attempts to mate with ...

We hear a lot about global warming these days. Is it anything about which we should be concerned? Well, as stewards of the earth (God did give it to us, Genesis 1:26-28) we have an obligation to show our gratitude for the planet by using it wisely and respectfully. In the first place, however, we should note that God promised us through Noah: While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold...

Extant evidence! There are well over 5,000 existing manuscripts of the New Testament to support the accuracy of the text. This is an overwhelming amount of textual evidence in any case, but especially when you compare the evidence for the New Testament text to that available for other ancient documents. For example, there are only seven copies of the works of Plato, and they were all written more ...

Thomas Aquinas was a Dominican priest, philosopher, and scholarly theologian who lived from 1225 to 1274. Among Aquinas’ well-known extant works is his Five Ways, in which he documents five ways or arguments through which one can know that there is a God. They are well worth repeating, so I will do my best to express each of them as follows: The argument from motion, or the unmoved mover Som...

With an upcoming presidential election, and a continuing demand for the right to kill babies who are alive, though unborn, the above question is perhaps more relevant now than ever. In my estimation, the abortion holocaust is one of the most important issues in this election. Moral issues should always be at the top of our list when choosing leaders. Psalm 14:34 teaches us that righteousness exalt...

No, no, no… not the down-home country singer. I mean Dolly, the menacing tropical storm that threatens the gulf coasts of Texas and Mexico. News reports tell of residents of those areas buying up such things as plywood, bottled water, flashlights and batteries so they will be ready when she hits… if she hits. Knowing what power such a storm can unleash on them and their property, the...

Lord, make me to know my end and what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am. Behold, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing in Your sight; Surely every man at his best is a mere breath. Surely every man walks about as a phantom; Surely they make an uproar for nothing; He amasses riches and does not know who will gather them. Psalm 39:4-6 We all tend to...

1. VBS helps to fulfill the great commission (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16). Most of us probably think in terms of teaching adults when we consider Jesus’ taking the gospel into the world. But aren’t children a major part of our world’s population? Did you know that statistically, 95% of people in America who become Christians do so before age 25? It seems that our greatest op...

I saw it in the news, Teenager from Faith-Healing Family Dies. Cause of death for the young man, just 16, was a malady that could have been easily treated by medical professionals. How is it that well-meaning people can get the word of God so twisted in their minds that they seem to lose their ability to reason? My experience has been that the better you understand His word, the better you are abl...

No, cosmology is not the study of cosmetics; that’s cosmetology. Cosmology is the study of our universe, its origin and meaning. Any view taken of the origin of the universe must be based on faith, since there is no extant method of ‘proving’ how it came into being. I put my faith in God, accepting what I believe to His account of creation recorded in the Bible. Others take a dif...