Sermons and Biblical Studies

by Staff Forerunner, "Ready Answer," June 10, 2005 “Thus Esau despised his birthright.” —Genesis 25:34 Not long ago, a section of Scripture became the subject of a great deal of meditation and study. It was stimulated by a conversation with a friend whom I had known when attending a former church fellowship. When the church … Continue reading “What Is Your Lentil Soup?”

by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021) Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," June 10, 2005 Everyone talks about the weather, but no one ever does anything about it. So goes an old-as-the-hills adage that in fact lies at the crux of the current global warming debate. The issue boils down to this: Can anyone do anything about the weather? The … Continue reading “Global Warming: Science Falsely So Called”

by David F. Maas Forerunner, June 10, 2005 “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches” —Proverbs 22:1 What connotations or associations come to mind in thinking about the following names? » George Washington » Mahatma Gandhi » Judas Iscariot » Thomas Jefferson » Lou Gehrig » Britney Spears » Yassir Arafat … Continue reading “What’s in a Name Anyway?”

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "WorldWatch," June 10, 2005 Much of the world was saddened by the death of Pope John Paul II on April 2, 2005, at the age of 84. Around the globe, he was seen as a force for traditional values and democratic principles, and his passing seems to have marked the … Continue reading “A Pope For Europe”

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, May 31, 2005 The Jewish Testament? Some time ago, in his “A Moment of Hope” radio commentary, a local preacher spoke of the power of words and how, if we want our lives to be hopeful, we need to keep our speech positive. He then quoted Proverbs 18:21 as wisdom … Continue reading “Essays on Bible Study”

by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021) Forerunner, May 31, 2005 “I also gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctified them.” (Ezekiel 20:12) Although God has made it crystal clear who make up the peoples of Israel today, most Israelites have not … Continue reading “Searching for Israel (Part Twelve): The Sign”

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," May 31, 2005 How many times have we opened a book and read every single word from cover to cover? Introductions, prefaces, forwards, acknowledgements, notes from the author, dedications, and copyright pages are sadly neglected, opening sections of most books. Most readers consider them to be extraneous, pointless, … Continue reading “The All-Important Introduction to Revelation”

by John O. Reid (1930-2016) Forerunner, "Ready Answer," May 31, 2005 As far as modern religion in America is concerned, God's laws have been done away. Indeed, most who call themselves Christians seem to realize that sinning, however they define sin, is wrong, but somehow Jesus Christ kept the law for us, so everything will … Continue reading “Did God Change the Law of Clean and Unclean Meats?”

by David C. Grabbe Forerunner, "WorldWatch," May 31, 2005 The well-known book, The Fourth Turning, by Neil Howe and Bill Strauss, has given rise to many commentators and analysts looking at the present culture from a generational point of view to catch a glimpse of the future. The present state of the “generations,” while perhaps … Continue reading “Generations in America”

by John W. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Personal," March 31, 2005 This year, 2005, is a year in which the church of God is divided regarding the count to Pentecost. Why is there confusion? Is it because some are failing to allow plain and clear scriptures to guide and interpret those that may be vague? Is it … Continue reading “Pentecost, Consistency, and Honesty”