Celebrating Holy Week during a voluntary self-quarantine pandemic
Many Christians are at a loss during Holy Week leading to the resurrection of Christ. The quarantine means we must reconsider our devotion, but not stop it.
Stories by Donald L. Brake
Christian religious freedom is at stake in the 2020 Elections
LEWISVILLE, TX: The essence of “religious freedom” has been under intense scrutiny for the past several election cycles. The choice of candidates for the elections of 2020 may dramatically affect religious freedom. Democrats need to accept that religious freedom is a right in America – Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhist, Bahai. The threat to the Church, ...
A Review of Netflix’s TV series, Messiah – the story of a prophet
Messiah is a story of a mysterious prophet proclaiming a message to unite the world in love and peace. But it has little to do with Christ's story.
Christianity Today’s Mark Galli and President Trump clash over impeachment
Christianity Today editor Mark Galli attacks President Trump for his flaws. But are flaws a reason for impeachment? Can any man claim to be flawless?
Today in the city of David a Savior is born; Jesus the Christ
God had chosen shepherds, Joseph and Mary to partner in His plan: simple people, flawed people. Who brought Jesus into the world
Mary’s story: Traveling to Bethlehem to give birth to Jesus
Mary, the mother of Jesus, has traveled to Bethlehem. Joseph helps her to find comfort in the stable of Eliakim, where she gives birth to the son of God.
Joseph: the unappreciated participant in the Christmas pageant
With grace and humility, Joseph, husband of the Virgin Mary, laid aside personal humiliation and embraced Mary’s version of her pregnancy
Memories of Dr. Charles C. Ryrie: theologian, author, Bible collector and friend
Dr. Charles Ryrie started this young bible scholar on a lifetime of collecting and studying antique bibles, theology and collecting of rare bibles.
First Thanksgiving, a celebration of two people or betrayal of native Indians
The first Thanksgiving celebration took place in September 1620 when the Mayflower landed on the shores of the New World. Meeting the Native Indians.
How the internet influences the joy of antique book and Bible collecting
eBay, Amazon and antiquarian websites provide a treasure trove for fulfilling antique book and Bible collectors’ potential dreams. They also take much away.
Testing the biblical evidence for celebrating Jesus’ birth December 25th
The Bible is silent on the day or the time of year. Emperor Constantine, the first Christian Roman Emperor, introduced December 25 as Jesus' birth
An English bookseller of rare bibles changes a young bibliophile’s life
All collections begin with a single experience. For me, traveling to England and seeing the 1569 Great Bible, or the 1657 Walton’s Polyglot, was it.
Far scarier than Halloween, it’s the end of the world
Halloween often departs from being a celebration of the saints to scenes of death. Biblical word pictures of “end of times” are scary and sobering enough.
Halloween’s neglected ghost: Reformer Martin Luther, saint or devil?
Martin Luther’s nailing of the 95-Thesis protesting the selling of indulgences to absolve purchasers from sin is one of the most important events in history
Christians celebrating the High Holy Days – Jewish Feast of Sukkot
Feast of Sukkot celebrants lives in temporary shelters commemorating the ancient Israelites dwelling in the wilderness during the Jewish Feast of Sukkot
Grace under fire: The tragedy of Botham Jean’s shooting by Amber Guyger
The willingness to forgive says more about 18-year-old Brandt Jean than anything about Amber Guyger, the protestors or the jubilant court observers.
Yom Kippur, the holiest day in modern Judaism, and Christianity’s Easter
Judaism has many theological divisions yet Yom Kippur is normally observed by all. It is the holiest day of the year, when Jews feel closest to God.
It is time to start defending winter’s religious holidays from secularism
Celebrations of religious holidays are more about secularism and fairy tales than a true celebration of the birth of the Christ Child.
Ticking off my bucket list: the 60-yr search for a Dixie Cream Donut
The opportunity to travel from Illinois to Texas meant a side trip to West Frankfort to eat my first Dixie Cream donut since a youth in Colchester, IL.
The relation of Christianity to the annual Jewish feasts
Understanding the Jewish and biblical feasts as shadows that point to Christ, the feasts may enhance awareness of God and His plan for permanent salvation.