I have been a believer in Jesus Christ since my childhood, but I find my walk of faith to be both as fresh and new as ever, and as difficult to walk as ever.

I do not believe that...

"religion" saves,
true faith exists to condemn the faults of others, or
governmental politics and religion should ever mix.

Instead, I believe that...

people are more important than theology,
the ones who've "got it" are the most humble,
we fool ourselves when we try to "understand" God,
our highest purpose in life is to love God, and through that love, love others, and
we will never in this life fully appreciate
the marvel of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of God's Son, Jesus.

I am most certain that I don't truly "get it" yet, but my shortcomings don't keep me from trying to get closer to God in simple, childlike faith.

I believe that there are four fundamental needs we have for our walk with God to be healthy. The first is worship with other Christians. The second is prayer. The third, closely related, is Bible study. The fourth one is service, moving through the world as God's hands and feet. I pray this web site helps you with all these fundamental needs, particularly with your Bible study.

When we study the Bible, I believe we need to approach it in many different ways, combinations of what we do with other reading and study. We scan a newspaper, we debate with an editorial column, we relax with a novel, and we pore over a textbook. At different times, we ought to do all these things with the Bible, depending on how a particular passage is affecting us. God will speak to us in a myriad of different ways at different times, depending on what we need. Sometimes, Bible study is a mental exercise; sometimes, a philosophical debate; sometimes an emotional catharsis. We need to put all of ourselves into Bible study, just in the same way that Jesus tells us to

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. -- Mark 12:30 (ASV)

Jonathan

For my other Bible studies, click for JMBibleStudy.