The debate on the Nature of Christ, known as Christology, remains one of the most profound and enduring theological discussions within Christian thought. Spanning over centuries, this debate seeks to understand the complex nature of Jesus Christ, who is acknowledged as both fully divine and fully human. This article delves into the historical context, key arguments, significant councils, and lasting impacts of this theological discourse, offering a comprehensive exploration of Christological development through the ages. more

Each Christmas someone in my family gives me a book they know I will use for future columns. This year my wife, Kelly, gave me Great American Trivia. Today’s column is based on it. more

Today, I read a scientific article about our philosophy of "self" compared to various Eastern ideologies. Although largely unnoticed, modern Western Culture places a massive emphasis on "self" even in our churches to the detriment of God. Consequently, my attention turned to Scripture regarding the existence and identity of "self" and how the concept relates to the meaning/purpose of life as God ordained. more

In the New Testament, the Greek word for God’s love is agape’. In Romans 12:9, Paul says, “Let love be genuine.” Genuine means authentic, real, and sincere. Paul is saying let the love you have for others be the real thing, and I believe that in the words that follow, he is telling us how to express this genuine, authentic love in our lives. Verse 9 continues, “…hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good,” and it is strong language. Hate what is evil…hate what God calls evil…lying, greed, sin, selfishness, violence, sowing discord, wickedness. Cling to what is good, and verses 10-21 give us practical instruction. Verse 21 says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Persevere in prayer, live peaceably with others, do not return evil for evil, serve the Lord. One after another, these statements reveal God’s love in action, and that is the love we as Christians are to express in our lives. May God’s genuine and authentic love be present in our words and actions. God bless your week! Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches, Willow Springs and Mtn. View. more

It’s great to be able to refresh my computer screen, because it updates the information displayed. Honestly, we all need to be updated and refreshed sometimes. Whether it is by physical exercise, a soft drink, or just by laughter, to be refreshed is a wonderful thing. It means we are invigorated, renewed, and given new strength. In the Bible we read of the ways God refreshes us, physically and spiritually. In Jeremiah 31:25, we read, “I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” In Acts 3:19, the Apostle Peter said, “Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” We are refreshed by God’s presence…in the waters of baptism, the nourishment of the Lord’s Supper, the blessings of fellowship, and the inspiration we find in the singing of hymns and reading the Bible. When you are weary, let God refresh you. May God bless your week! Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches, Willow Springs and Mtn. View. more

“What in the world were you thinking, Kenneth Ray… The very idea! What are people going to think when they hear you singing about your mother leaving her family to run off to some bar… And how dare you write about me having four hungry kids?” These are the opening words of Kenny Rogers’ 2012 autobiography, Luck or Something Like It. more

1 Corinthians 12:25 That there should be no division in the body, but the members should have the same concern for one another. more

In the vast and diverse landscape of Christian faith, a crucial question emerges: how much of what we observe in church culture is a product of tradition and church-specific doctrine, and how much is directly grounded in biblical text? This question is not confined to any single denomination; rather, it resonates across the entire spectrum of Christian practice, from the solemn halls of the Catholic Church to the vibrant gatherings of Pentecostal congregations, and indeed, within Presbyterianism, as exemplified by the reverence for the Book of Order. more

I recently finished, Before We Were Yours, a fascinating novel by Lisa Wingate. Her book tells the story of families severely traumatized by social worker, Georgia Tann. She was widely respected in Memphis until it eventually became obvious she was mistreating children. Tann was at the center of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society scandal of 1950. Though the specific families’ stories Wingate told are fictional they are representative of Tann’s victims. more

Many of us pray each day for healing….for ourselves, our loved ones, and for people around the world. We pray for the healing of bodies, hearts, minds, and relationships. The gospels record many instances of Jesus healing people. “And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.” (Matthew 4:23) The Old Testament describes God’s healing presence. Psalm 147:3 reads, “God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Our God heals, and we are invited to pray trusting that healing will come. It may not occur the way we expected, and it may not happen as quickly as we would like, yet healing will come. I have never forgotten what a wise pastor told me years ago. He said that death is the final healing. Ultimately our Lord will heal us, and we will be made whole. May God bless your week! Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches, Willow Springs and Mtn. View. more

Matthew 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. more

The Epiphany, in the context of the Christian church, is an event of profound theological and historical significance, encapsulating the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the world. Its origins, rituals, and implications are deeply embedded in the fabric of Christian tradition, reflecting a complex interplay of theology, history, and cultural practice. more

In the realm of religion, the concept of objective truth often becomes as complex and layered as the beliefs and traditions that define various faiths. Objective truth, in its purest form, refers to something that is true regardless of personal beliefs, biases, or perspectives – a universal constant, if you will. But here's the kicker: when you bring this idea into the religious sphere, things get a lot more complicated. more

Those who read my last column may remember I wrote about Michael and Matthew Clark; two brothers with leukodystrophy, a fatal disease which reverses one’s mental and physical abilities. Today I share the story of Jill Price, a woman whose mental abil-ity is the complete opposite. She was born with an amazing condition called hyper-thymia which allows her to remember everything with extraordinary clarity. more

Zechariah 1:19-21 And he told me, “These are the horns that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.” 20Then the LORD showed me four craftsmen. 21“What are these coming to do?” I asked. And He replied, “...the craftsmen have come to terrify them and throw down these horns of the nations." more

There are many things the Bible teaches that we should do always…love God, love your neighbor, pray, speak the truth, forgive others, and be kind, to name a few. To me, the most important “always” in the Bible is one of my favorite verses, Matthew 28:20. Before the risen Jesus ascended into heaven he told his disciples, “Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” No matter what difficulty or challenge we face, we can be certain that Jesus is with us always. Always. May God bless your week! Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches, Willow Springs and Mtn. View. more

Yahoo published a fascinating article in 2012 about two brothers living in England. In 2006, Michael and Matthew Clark were living normal lives. After serving in the Royal Air Force, Michael became a cabinet maker. Matthew worked in a factory and was busy raising his teenage daughter. more

Yahoo published a fascinating article in 2012 about two brothers living in England. In 2006, Michael and Matthew Clark were living normal lives. After serving in the Royal Air Force, Michael became a cabinet maker. Matthew worked in a factory and was busy raising his teenage daughter. more

2 Peter 3:3-5 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of... more

"Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing," a hymn penned by Robert Robinson in 1758, is a vivid testament to the transformative power of faith and grace in the Christian tradition. Its continued resonance in Christian worship is not merely a matter of its age but a reflection of its profound spiritual and emotional depth. more