Sermons and Biblical Studies

by John W. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Personal," February 1996 Certain words, like people, get old and tired, having lost their vitality and impact. When they do, maybe they, like people, should be retired from active service. Perhaps a prime candidate for this verbal retirement might be the word “sin.” As long as humans exist, we will … Continue reading “What Sin Is & What Sin Does”

by John O. Reid (1930-2016) Forerunner, February 1996 When I was a young man, I occasionally attended a Protestant church. I recall the hard, wooden pews and the songbook holders built right into the back of the bench in front of me. Along with the songbooks, little note-paper-sized boxes filled with offering envelopes also hung … Continue reading “During a Famine, What Is the Work?”

by Earl L. Henn (1934-1997) Forerunner, "Ready Answer," February 1996 The religions of this world have many different beliefs about what is required to be “saved.” One of the most prevalent ideas is that an individual can receive salvation by simply “believing” and that his works—the way he lives—has no bearing on his salvation. This … Continue reading “Saved By Faith Alone?”

by John W. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Personal," January 1996 Isaiah 57:15 proclaims, “For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart … Continue reading “Simplify Your Life!”

by Earl L. Henn (1934-1997) Forerunner, January 1996 Probably the most ridiculed portion of the Bible is the first chapter of Genesis. Many have claimed that the creation account is contrary to proven scientific facts and cannot be reconciled with geologic and astronomical discoveries of the last few centuries. Atheists and agnostics have long used … Continue reading “Genesis 1: Fact or Fiction?”

by Earl L. Henn (1934-1997) Forerunner, "Ready Answer," January 1996 Through the centuries, theologians have devised many arguments to do away with the observance of God's holy days. They propose that various scriptures in the New Testament obviate the need for Christians to keep the days which God's law specifically says are holy to Him … Continue reading “Does Paul Condemn Observing God’s Holy Days?”

by Ted E. Bowling Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," January 1996 These words of our Savior Jesus Christ, spoken in Luke 17:32, are an admonition to His disciples about how they should react to the conditions that would be prevalent before His second coming. His first-century disciples are long dead, but the warning still applies to us … Continue reading “Remember Lot’s Wife”

by John W. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Personal," December 1995 We have all heard it in conversation or in radio and television news reports, or perhaps we have read it in newspaper or magazine articles. A tragedy occurs when a tornado, hurricane, drive-by shooting, robbery, gas explosion, lightning strike or any other chance occurrence causes some or … Continue reading “Innocent Victims?”

by Martin G. Collins Forerunner, December 1995 No “Christian” holiday is as misleading as Christmas—unless it is Easter. What do evergreen trees, Yule logs, holly wreaths, mistletoe, and Santa Claus have to do with our relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? Does the Nativity scene with its mother-and-child motif teach us anything about … Continue reading “Syncretismas!”

by Mike Ford (1955-2021) Forerunner, December 1995 For the sake of argument, let's assume you have decided that Christmas is not the horrible evil you once thought it was. Maybe this year you will have Christmas dinner with your family, and when they draw names for gift giving at the office, you might just join … Continue reading “So You Plan to Keep Christmas Now?”