The Anthropic Principle: The Solar System Sir Isaac Newton used his law of universal gravitation to help explain the solar system’s motions. The story is told that he built a mechanical model of the solar system—an orrery—where turning a crank made the bodies rotate and orbit. When one of Newton’s Read more…
The Anthropic Principle: Earth The Goldilocks Planet In the familiar fairy tale, Goldilocks breaks into the home of three bears and tests their food, chairs, and beds until she finds the ones that are “just right.” Her story illustrates a simple truth: some things must be precisely balanced to work. The same is true of Read more…
Questions Related to the Eldership Many questions arise when congregations consider the qualifications and work of elders. Several of these issues are addressed in the thirteen‑lesson workbook Elders, Overseers, Shepherds, with an expanded eighteen‑lesson edition also available in PDF format. Below are some of the more common questions that frequently Read more…
The Appointment of Elders Crete was one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean world. Paul left Titus there with a clear purpose: “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I Read more…
An American Uncle Forty years ago, while preaching in Florida, I had the opportunity to teach the gospel to Paul Lee, an electronics engineer from Seoul, Korea. Only two months after his baptism, Paul moved to Maryland, where he eventually fell away from the Lord. For several years he drifted Read more…
Can a Widower Serve as an Elder? One of the domestic qualifications for a man who desires to serve as an elder is that he must be “the husband of one wife” (1 Timothy 3:2). This requirement excludes several categories of men based on marital status. First, a polygamist cannot Read more…
The Virgin Birth and the Holy Spirit Matthew 1:18–25 The Bible records several remarkable births: Isaac, born to Sarah when she was ninety years old and barren; Samson, born to Manoah’s formerly barren wife; Samuel, born to Hannah; and John the Baptist, born to Elizabeth. Yet none of these compares Read more…
Does Jesus Care? The following article is adapted from the eulogy given at the funeral of Joseph Vann Wangler on January 15, 2026. Does Jesus Care? This is the title of a popular hymn we sing. It also represents one of many questions that come to mind when one experiences Read more…
Necessity of an Eldership A few years ago, concern was expressed over a shortage of capable preachers. Today, however, we face an even greater problem: a shortage of shepherds. More and more congregations are operating without elders, and in many areas, elders seem to be an endangered species. How can Read more…
Strive to Thrive, Not Just Survive Last year I planned to lose forty pounds. I’m happy to report that I only have fifty pounds to go—with two days left in the year. As 2025 comes to a close, many are looking ahead to 2026, but looking back often reveals a Read more…