Check out the Series Index to all Five Posts. Part 2: What Makes an Elder an Elder? God commands us to seek answers to our questions and asks only that we seek ‘with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ.’ – Moroni 10:4 Introduction: A Question of Words and Meanings Have you…
Category: Christianity
Questions Worth Asking: Thoughtful Reflections on Latter-day Saint Claims (1 of 5)
Check out the Series Index to all Five Posts. Part 1: Borrowed Words: When Children Say ‘I Know’ A Philosophical Inquiry into Religious Education, Faith Development, and the Epistemology of Testimony Asking questions isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a precursor of growth.” – Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf Acting President of the Quorum of the…
Joey Sampaga Sermon: No Turning Back – The Cost of Following Jesus, Luke 9:46-56
This Sunday, Pastor Joey Sampaga led us through Luke 9:46-56, “No Turning Back: The Cost of Following Jesus.” Jesus confronts three would-be followers, exposing barriers to true discipleship: craving comfort, delaying obedience, and divided loyalty. With His face set toward the cross, He demands undivided, immediate commitment—not partial enthusiasm or nostalgic glances backward—calling us to…
Building Bridges Through Understanding: What Christians Should Know About Islam
In an increasingly interconnected world, Christians regularly encounter Muslims in workplaces, neighborhoods, and public spaces. Yet many believers remain unfamiliar with Islamic teachings, creating missed opportunities for meaningful dialogue and gospel witness. Understanding Islam’s core beliefs doesn’t compromise Christian faith—it equips us to engage thoughtfully, respond biblically, and share Christ effectively. Why Biblical Literacy Demands…
Happy New Year, beloved friends in Christ!
Dear E.V.I.C. Church Family: As we step into 2026, I’m grateful for how the Lord has grown us together this past year. Whether through Sunday gatherings, midweek studies, or conversations over coffee, we’ve been shaped by His Word and strengthened by one another’s faith. There’s something beautiful about learning alongside people who are genuinely seeking…
Four Critical Doctrinal Differences Between Mormonism and Biblical Christianity
The relationship between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) and traditional Christianity remains one of the most debated topics in comparative religion. While members of the LDS Church increasingly identify as Christian—particularly since the heightened public visibility during Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign—significant theological differences persist that warrant careful examination. This analysis…
The Abomination of All Creeds: Joseph Smith’s Vision and the Question Modern Mormonism Must Answer
Introduction: A Prophetic Condemnation That Cannot Be Unsaid In the spring of 1820, a fourteen-year-old farm boy named Joseph Smith Jr. walked into a grove of trees near Palmyra, New York, seeking divine guidance about which church to join. What allegedly transpired in that grove would become the foundational narrative of the Church of Jesus…
Emmanuel: The Promise That Changed Everything
A Christmas Bible Study on Isaiah 7:14 Introduction: The Tapestry of Prophecy Fulfilled During Pastor Joey’s Christmas sermon today, “Emmanuel, God With Us,” he referenced Isaiah 7:14—that profound prophecy declaring, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” As…
I Asked AI to write a Christmas Hymn
Here is the original prompt: Write a 5-stanza XAXA rhyming scheme quatrain, 4 lines each, of original lyrics for a Christmas hymn based on Luke 2:1-20. Claude AI responds: Here’s an original Christmas hymn based on Luke 2:1-20: The Bethlehem Star A decree went forth from Caesar’s throne, That all the world be counted there,…
Celebrating God’s Gifts: A Biblical and Historical Response to Jehovah’s Witnesses on Birthdays and Christmas
The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ prohibition against celebrating birthdays and Christmas represents one of their most distinctive—and most problematic—departures from historic Christianity. While their arguments may initially appear to have biblical merit, a thorough examination reveals that their position rests on flawed exegesis, selective historical analysis, and theological presuppositions that contradict the very gospel they claim to…