Keith D. Stanglin 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. 1 Corinthians 3:6–9 On September 1, 2021, the Center for Christian Studies was launched. This...

Keith D. Stanglin Read parts one, two, and three of this series. And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15:22 In this series of posts, I’ve suggested two institutions that, from a certain perspective, it seems God wanted for Israel, but he in fact didn’t want them. The king and the temple were ideas introduced by the people...

Keith D. Stanglin Read posts one, two, and four of this series. I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling. In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” 2 Samuel 7:6-7 In the original post in this series, I said...