Sermons and Biblical Studies

by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021) Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," May 2006 “Prison is a pathetic substitute for genuine parents.” —J.R. Morse Just the facts, ma'am: » Living in a step- or single-parent household more than doubles the risk of delinquency by age 14. » The likelihood that a young male will engage in criminal activity increases substantially … Continue reading “The Cold Culture of Silence (Part One)”

by David F. Maas Forerunner, "Ready Answer," May 26, 2006 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” —Matthew 18:22 How many of us have, when experiencing the calamitous consequences of some foolish course of action, exclaimed, “If only I had a second … Continue reading “What Would You Do With a Second Chance?”

by David C. Grabbe Forerunner, "WorldWatch," May 26, 2006 In their bestselling book The Fourth Turning, William Strauss and Neil Howe note that, for the last 600 years of British and American history, a regular cycle of major crises have occurred roughly every 80-100 years. They identify as crises the Wars of the Roses, with … Continue reading “Illegal Immigration and the American Crisis”

by John W. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Personal," March-April 2006 I frequently receive questions from people who think they have caught us in an error. Occasionally, they do, though it is usually nothing more than a technical inaccuracy. However, most of the time they have based their attempt to correct our articles on the common doctrines of … Continue reading “Is the Christian Required to Do Works? (Part One)”

by Staff Forerunner, March-April 2006 As springtime is upon us once again, members of God's church are preparing for the beginning of another cycle of His holy days. We find ourselves today in a very different world—economically—to that of Old Testament Israel. We do not have the same economic system that they did, and yet … Continue reading “The Economics of an Offering”

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," March-April 2006 Most readers of the Bible, even those who are only mildly familiar with its content and themes, know that Israel plays a major part in God's dealings with humankind. That relationship began about four thousand years ago, when God called Abraham from Ur of the Chaldees … Continue reading “Why Israel? (Part Two)”

by Staff Forerunner, "Ready Answer," March-April 2006 “And it shall be, when your children say to you, 'What do you mean by this service?'” —Exodus 12:26 How time does fly! It seems as if the sun has just set on the Last Great Day, and now God's people are preparing for His Passover once again! … Continue reading “What Is the Passover Anyway?”

by David C. Grabbe Forerunner, "WorldWatch," March-April 2006 As Europeans try to come to terms with decades of Islamic immigration, failed integration, and the resulting convulsions of a bicultural society, change and adaptation can be seen everywhere. A brief survey of European media from the end of February gives a snapshot of various segments of … Continue reading “A Snapshot of European Sentiment”

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," March 10, 2006 Before and during the holy days, particularly the spring festivals, we frequently delve into the story of the children of Israel. It is difficult to avoid since the holy days rest upon the events of Israel's history. » Passover has its beginnings in the final … Continue reading “Why Israel? (Part One)”

by Staff Forerunner, "Ready Answer," March 10, 2006 “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.” —II Corinthians 13:5 From time to time, it is desirable to examine or prove ourselves to know we are in alignment with God's mind and will. We check ourselves, as it were, to ensure that we are … Continue reading “What Does ‘Examine Yourselves’ Mean?”