By Jeff Larson, The Back Pew “Our Lord indeed honors faith the size of a mustard seed. But when we consider his unspeakable grace, the keeping of all of his promises, his constant presence and power, why should we doubt in times of challenge and testing? We should have abundant faith, and if we don’t, […]
The Back Pew
Rendering to Caesar and God
By Jeff Larson, The Back Pew “Jesus’ statement to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto God what is God’s is not a proof text for separation of church and state. Some read the text and set up a false dichotomy, arguing that our Lord was saying the state has authority over certain things, […]
No Entrance Exam to Heaven
By Jeff Larson, The Back Pew “I am persuaded that our good deeds never merit salvation. To merit salvation would mean to earn it or to deserve it. The deeds would have to be so good, so perfect, with no mixture of sin in them, that it would impose an obligation upon God to grant […]
Chanel De-Dump
By Jeff Larson, The Back Pew “God’s economy requires constant diligence from his followers. If our life’s work for Christ’s sake is always to impact others positively, then we must be careful, lest a ‘little folly’ torpedoes what we’ve done. Once I knew a mighty man of God who had a stellar resume of church […]
Yoga for Seniors
By Jeff Larson, The Back Pew “I know I need to lose some pounds. I realized it recently when I went to play hide and seek with the grandchildren, and unfortunately, discovered I could only play seek. But let me say something about this, and it’s not an excuse for unhealthy living. I think we […]
Guard Your Heart
By Jeff Larson, The Back Pew “Happy is that young man [young woman] whose heart is never defiled with vice! There is no way of being kept from impurity except by giving up the heart to the holy Lord…the most pure-minded are surrounded with innumerable temptations; and many there are that slip with their feet […]
Progressive Churches Don’t Progress
By Jeff Larson, The Back Pew “When people give up convictions and think it doesn’t matter what you believe just so you get together, then the next step is to throw away faith in the Bible as the Word of God, faith in the blood of Jesus Christ as essential to atone for man’s sin, […]
The Sufferings of this Present Time
By Jeff Larson, The Back Pew “Christ our Lord suffered. If we suffer for the same reasons he suffered, which all true Christians at some point in their lives do, then it confirms our sonship. I hear a lot of people say they accepted Christ on this date and at this time as proof of […]
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup/Patriotism and Christianity
By Jeff Larson, The Back Pew “It’s time we rediscovered what it means to be ‘one nation under God,’ as President Abraham Lincoln said in the Gettysburg Address. It’s time we understand the full meaning of our national motto, ‘In God We Trust.’ It’s time we stop the ‘state sanctioned atheism’ that has been stripping […]
Streaming Church…The New Normal?
By Jeff Larson, The Back Pew “I understand that going to church via social media has provided new opportunities during the pandemic for reaching people. Praise the Lord! But I don’t care what anyone says, going to church by radio, television, your personal computer, or a smart phone is not really going to church. The […]