Sermons and Biblical Studies

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "WorldWatch," January 28, 2014 With little warning, China’s Ministry of Defense announced on November 23 that it had established an Air Defense Identification Zone, or ADIZ, above the disputed Diaoyu/Senkaku/Tiaoyutai island chain in the East China Sea. Since about 1960, many nations have used ADIZs to enhance their air security, … Continue reading “Chicken in the East China Sea”

by John W. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Personal," November 12, 2013 Previously, we covered the importance of the phrases “vanity of vanities,” “under the sun,” and “what profit is there” to help us understand the guidance the book of Ecclesiastes provides a Christian in his daily life. Ecclesiastes is a book of overviews. It counsels us to … Continue reading “Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Two): Works”

by Mike Ford (1955-2021) Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," November 12, 2013 In 1885, twenty-year-old John Pierce Cunningham left New York for the West. He spent three years trapping in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and studying the land. After identifying what he thought was the area with the best soil, he filed his homestead claim on 160 acres … Continue reading “This Land Is Our Land”

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "WorldWatch," November 12, 2013 Ever since the United States Supreme Court ruled against prayer in the public schools in 1962, religious freedom has been under assault, despite the fact that the Bill of Rights clearly states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free … Continue reading “The Erosion of Religious Freedoms”

by David F. Maas Forerunner, "Ready Answer," November 12, 2013 “. . . having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. . .” —Ephesians 1:13 When a popular congressman from the former second district of Minnesota, Ancher Nelsen, was asked about the secret to his political longevity, he reflected, “I never argue … Continue reading “Misconceptions and Malarkey About the Holy Spirit (Part Two)”

by John W. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Personal," August 27, 2013 Some have called Ecclesiastes the most puzzling book of the Bible. This is partly because commentators see an extreme pessimism in it, as well as some unorthodox statements that seem out of harmony with the upbeat, positive themes elsewhere in Scripture, especially in the New Testament. … Continue reading “Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part One)”

by David C. Grabbe Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," August 27, 2013 Many years after the Kingdom of Israel was taken into Assyrian captivity, the time came for the Kingdom of Judah also to be judged by God for its national sins. God used Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king, as His instrument of correction, not only against Judah, … Continue reading “Hananiah’s Error”

by David F. Maas Forerunner, "Ready Answer," August 27, 2013 “. . . having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. . .” —Ephesians 1:13 According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, the teaching of the Trinity is “the central doctrine of the Christian religion” (vol. 3, p. 47), despite the fact that not … Continue reading “Misconceptions and Malarkey About the Holy Spirit (Part One)”

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "WorldWatch," August 27, 2013 While Syrians destroy their country and Egyptians fill Tahrir Square with thousands to protest their country's leadership, Israelis find themselves alone on an island in the midst of a seething Islamic sea. Their island bristles with armaments and resounds to the sound of the marching feet … Continue reading “An Israel-Turkey Reconciliation?”

by John W. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Personal," June 19, 2013 In all of these articles on God's sovereignty, the subject of government has in some way and to some degree been showing us that our responsibility to God within the New Covenant is to yield to it. We tend to think of “govern” or “government” in … Continue reading “Fully Accepting God’s Sovereignty (Part Four)”