The hammer strikes. Chisels carve. Golden vessels gleam in torchlight. Solomon’s temple rises—stone by magnificent stone—reaching toward heaven itself. Craftsmen labor. Artists paint. The finest cedar from Lebanon fills the air with its sweet fragrance. Yet somewhere in the celestial courts, the Creator of the universe speaks words that shatter human expectations: “Heaven is my…
Category: Christianity
The Sacred Text: A Comprehensive Study of Biblical Canonization and Translation
From Divine Inspiration to Modern Translation: Tracing the Journey of Scripture Through the Ages Download a PDF for printing at home: Bible Translations Introduction The Bible stands as the most influential book in human history, shaping civilizations, inspiring movements, and providing spiritual guidance to billions. Yet few understand the remarkable journey this collection of sacred…
A Theological Examination of “The Sinner’s Prayer” in Modern Evangelism
Download a PDF for printing at home: “The Sinner’s Prayer” in Modern Evangelism Introduction: The Ubiquitous Prayer In the landscape of contemporary evangelicalism, few practices are as widespread—or as controversial—as “The Sinner’s Prayer.” From Billy Graham crusades to summer camps, from church altar calls to evangelistic tracts, this formulaic prayer has become the de facto…
Does A Loving God Really Send People to Hell?
Download a PDF for printing at home: The Loving God and Hell The question is usually framed like this: “How can a loving God send someone to hell?” Romans 1:18–20 lays the foundation for the answer: “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress…
The Free Gift of Eternal Life: A Theological Analysis of Traditional Christian and LDS Perspectives
Introduction The inspiration for this theological analysis came through a recent email from Mark Parsons of Truth in Love Ministry, which masterfully illustrated one of Christianity’s most crucial doctrinal distinctions through the simple analogy of deceptive marketing. Parsons’ account of receiving a postcard advertising a “FREE steak” that actually required a $249 purchase perfectly encapsulates…
Is the Bible Reliable? God’s Trustworthy Canon
The Bible … is it true and reliable? Download a PDF to print at home: Is The Bible Reliable? Introduction The Bible stands as one of history’s most significant books, containing what believers hold to be the spoken words of the Creator. It holds the distinction of being the best-selling, most quoted, most published, most…
From Regret to Redemption: The Power of True Repentance
Download a PDF for printing at Home: True Repentance Too often, conversations about the gospel stop short of the heart issue: true repentance. It’s easy to talk about forgiveness, grace, and heaven, but if someone doesn’t understand what it really means to turn from sin, they may mistake regret for salvation—and walk away unchanged. Robert…
The Authority and Compassion of Christ: E.V.I.C. – A Sermon on Luke 7:1-17
At East Valley International Church, we understand that true spiritual transformation happens when divine authority meets radical compassion—and when that powerful combination encounters willing hearts ready to be changed. In our interconnected world, the eternal truths of Christ’s lordship and love deserve nothing less than the most effective communication tools available to reach souls standing…
The Keys For an Effective Church Ministry
Evaluating a ministry’s effectiveness requires looking beyond secular metrics like numerical growth or profit. Its true purpose is transformation: nurturing spiritual development and building a community that embodies Christian teachings. This makes measurement both essential and complex. Scripture encourages this diligent stewardship. As Proverbs 27:23 advises, we are to know the condition of what is…
The Sacred Sound in Crisis: A Critical Examination of Contemporary Worship Music
A Theological and Musical Analysis of the Modern Worship Movement The sanctuary lights dim as the opening chords ring out through sophisticated sound systems, smoke machines create ethereal atmospheres, and worship leaders in skinny jeans and vintage t-shirts raise their hands toward LED screens displaying lyrics that would have been unthinkable in churches just fifty…