Author: Ralph Rickenbach

בְּרֵאשִׁ֖ית בָּרָ֣א אֱלֹהִ֑ים אֵ֥ת הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְאֵ֥ת הָאָֽרֶץ׃ Gen 1:1 In his mind, the amalgamation of all powers created both giving and receiving. As I have written elsewhere, this is a valid translation of Genesis 1:1. Is it creative? I think it is as it breaks tradition and takes a very different look at a few… Continue reading What is Creativity

But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect —life in its fullness until you overflow! John 10:10b We might have different understandings on how religions developed. One explanation, and a pretty good one for that matter, looks at our faculty to see faces. It is astonishing how well most… Continue reading Salvation or Inclusion

Where does this idea come from? It is like a pair of glasses on our nose through which we see whatever we look at. It never occurs to us to take them off. Ludwig Wittgenstein At different times, people have different needs, but also different explanatory models for the world. Obviously, the understanding of the… Continue reading Three Questions for the Church

The secret of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and of the seven gold vessels with burning lights. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven lights are the seven churches. Revelation 1:20 (BBE) In Revelation, Hebrews and other books of the Bible we see the… Continue reading Viewpoint

Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God:Depart from me therefore, ye bloodthirsty men. Psalm 139:19 (ASV) Psalm 139 is a wonderful psalm that gives us a lot of confidence and usually is used to instill a recognition of personal value. But there is this four verse long passage that is kind of off topic.… Continue reading To delegate Vengeance

He has appointed some as an Apostle, others as prophets, others as preachers, and finally some as pastors and teachers. Epheser 4:11 Today I would like to tell a story that I have experienced myself over the last few years. I was a member of an apostolic network. This network has received an assignment about… Continue reading Failed the Assignment?