What do you think of when you hear the word “supernatural”? For many, I suspect it’s a novel, movie, or TV series—or more than one. In the West, we have for a long time now associated “supernatural” with terms like unexplained, unusual, and paranormal.

These terms reflect our modern biases toward empirical and materialist ways of looking at the world. Naturalism and materialism tend to be our default, so we see phenomena that aren’t explainable in purely naturalistic terms as exceptional. The modern Western mind values science over stories. Measurable, examinable,…

All churches employ forms of modern technology to assist them in the tasks of outreach, discipleship, community, and worship. This raises the question as to whether the Bible provides the church with any guidelines or principles for choosing and using appropriate forms of technology in carrying out her Great Commission. I believe it does. One key text in this regard actually comes from the Old Testament. I’m thinking of Ecclesiastes 10:10, where we read, “Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed” (Eccl 10:10, NLT).…

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Gentleness

Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (1P 3.15).

Here the KJV uses the word meekness. Outside of Christian circles, influenced by the biblical language, our culture doesn’t use the word much. When we hear it, some are inclined to think of Casper Milquetoast, or a hen-pecked husband, or the guy the bullies kick sand on at the beach.

But if you’ve spent much time…