Author Archives: Paul Schlehlein

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About Paul Schlehlein

Jesus is Lord. Husband to Lindy. Father of eight. Missionary church-planter to the Tsongas in rural South Africa.

The State of Society is the Résumé of the Church

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–– Lennox Kalifungwa

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

The Chaos is the Mission Field

In the wake of unravelling chaos—ethnic hatred, the murder of the unborn (and farmers), theft, overdependence on foreign aid, envy and entitlement, high costs of living, corruption, and failed leadership—one force alone can turn the tide: the church’s repentance.

The New Testament does not describe the church as fragile but as powerful. It is the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13), the light of the world (Matt. 5:14), the bride of Christ (Eph. 5:25–27), the ambassadors of Christ (2 Cor. 5:20), the sons of God (Eph. 1:5), and the heirs of the kingdom (Eph. 3:6). These are not mere embellishments but declarations rooted in Christ’s triumphant work. The church is not meant to scrape and plead for influence—it is assured in faithfulness to Christ, not as a reward for ambition but as the inevitable fruit of our calling.

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Five Reasons Parents and Teachers Should Read Spurgeon’s COME YE CHILDREN

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Podcast discussion of this article here: Youtube — Spotify — Apple Podcasts

Come Ye Children is a 160-page, 23 chapter booklet published in 1897 by Charles Spurgeon. The title is taken from Psalm 34:11, “Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.”

In our age of infanticide and barrenness, and barrenness, where women bear children later in life or not at all, men sterilize themselves or urge the mother to murder the unborn child, Spurgeon’s affection for children is a fresh breeze across a generation of death.

We require all the teachers at our Christian school to read this little volume. Here are five reasons why.

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How Should South Africa Respond to American Sanctions?

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–– Paul Schlehlein

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

In 1662, Jan van Riebeeck and the first Dutch settlers arrived at South Africa’s Table Mountain. By the 1830s the descendants of their Dutch forebears, called Afrikaners, had tired of British rule and friction with the Xhosa. With pastoral life becoming harder to achieve and the broad hinterland increasingly tempting, Louis Trichardt and the trekboers began the Great Trek inland in 1837. 

Since then, the Afrikaner has waged many battles, played both vanquished and victor, imposed her fair share of prejudiced legislation, borne the loss of power, shifted from oppressor to oppressed, and resettled to Britain, New Zealand, Australia, and every corner of the globe. Yet, South Africa has remained her treasured habitation.

Just under 200 years separated the van Riebeeck landing and the first exodus. Now, another two centuries demarcate today from the first wagon wheels rolling north. The question arises: Is 2025 the year of another massive Afrikaner departure from their beloved South Africa?

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Is Witchcraft Real? 

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–– Seth Meyers

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

In December 2024 near Kwa Zulu Natal, a man admitted to a terrible crime. The life of Zandile Kumalo was taken, horrifically documented, and then spread on social media. A reporter far away in Limpopo raised the question of witchcraft in connection with this vile string of events. Enos Magwabeni interviewed a witch doctor (name unpublished, hereafter WD), called a traditional healer by those trying to dignify the sad and dark ways of heathenism, and their exchange discussing the December murder of Zandile by Sibusiso was published in the Limpopo Mirror 17 January 2025 (article not archived online). 

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Review: Tiyo Soga

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Ferdie Mulder and Ivette Coetsee, IRSA, 207 pages, 4 of 5 stars

Tiyo Soga and his Mentors (English)Last year my four oldest children memorized the Westminster Shorter Catechism. I grew up in a Christian home where, by God’s grace, my parents forced my sister and me to memorize hundreds of verses. I use “forced” on purpose because that’s really what they did and you won’t hear a peep of complaint from me. I only wish they would have pressed us to learn more.

But catechisms, sadly, were absent in our spiritual formation. Fast forward to today. As my wife and I catechized our children, we were learning right along with them. Question 64 struck me: “What is required in the fifth commandment?” Answer: “The fifth commandment requires preserving the honor…belonging to…superiors.” Often, this means honoring parents, but not always. “Superiors” also include Christian heroes, like the character of this biography, Tiyo Soga.

Overview

Ferdie Mulder and Ivette Coetsee pen the life story of Tiyo Soga (1829-1871) to help Christians obey the fifth commandment. I had never heard of Soga before but for those who have, you may only remember him as a leader of black nationalism in South Africa. But this mischaracterizes the man. He was first a Christian, family man, pastor, translator, missionary, theologian, and hymn writer. Continue reading →

Six Ways to Shame Your Mother

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–– Paul Schlehlein

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

A Puritan once said that some parents, like Eli, bring up their children, to bring down their house. In other words, some parents, like Eli, just don’t know how to parent and they pay the price. 

Proverbs 10:1 says: “A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.”

This got me thinking. Where are the best and worst places in the world to be a mom? Global Citizen says it’s Somalia because over 5% of the mothers die of maternal-related complications and 15% of the children don’t make it to their fifth birthday. 

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Are ‘Points of Contact’ Biblical?

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–– Paul Schlehlein

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Pastor Paseka ‘Mboro’ of South Africa continues to fill the headlines. For years he’s drawn criticism for driving luxury vehicles in a poor neighborhood, claiming bizarre healing ability or, most recently, facing assault and kidnapping charges. But his run-ins with the law are far less concerning than his aberrant theology. 

In a clip from Reggie Yates entitled “Extreme South Africa: The Missionary Preacher”, Mboro insists his parishioners bring underwear to church so that he may bless their “vuvuzelas” and “biscuits”, euphemisms for the male and female reproductive organs. 

Mboro uses common prosperity tactics, in this case “points of contact”, in which the congregants’ undergarments serve as the conduit through which his supposed miraculous power will flow. Is this biblical?

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Are Same-Sex Desires Sinful?

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–– Paul Schlehlein

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Storms are brewing in the African church over homosexuality. The United Methodists in Africa now welcome LGBTQ+ members, though Methodists in countries like Ivory Coast and Zimbabwe have protested. The 2025 Cape Town Pride Parade expects another big turnout, even while the Anglican Church of Southern Africa has voted against blessing same-sex couples.

“UNNATURAL” IN ROMANS 1

Romans 1:26 uses the word “unnatural” to describe romantic, same-sex attraction because this desire contradicts the original condition. “Unnatural” means contrary to the factory settings God installed at birth, such as a person’s sex.  

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From Kings to Courts: Does the Bible Support Any Government System?

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–– David de Bruyn

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

The recent riots in Kenya is another example of the weakness of governments in Africa. The failure of governments in Africa regularly make the news. Whether it is corruption, neglect, incompetence, or outright scandal, Africans long for better governments. But what makes for good government, according to Scripture?

Government is meant to serve the good of its people. As Romans 13:4 puts it, “The civil authority is God’s servant for your good.” But what does this actually look like? What should government protect and promote, and what principles should guide its structure? 

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Symptoms and Treatment of Political Idolatry

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–– Brino Kumwenda

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

2024 was a monumental year for different nations worldwide as citizens took to the polls, casting their votes to bring new governments into power. On the African continent, 2025 will see this critical societal practice continue as countries including Malawi, Cameroon, and Burundi bring out the ballot boxes and hold their national elections. As voting occurs, Africans must remember that there is such a sin as political idolatry. It is the sin of putting politics over God and election season is when it thrives. It is a subtle sin. It is like carbon monoxide from burnt coal in a house. While you enjoy the warmth of the charcoal, the carbon monoxide kills you without your knowledge, because it is odorless, tasteless and colorless. It is usually hard to know that you have inhaled political idolatry. Many Christians are unaware of its lethal existence. Thankfully, armed with Scripture, we can know its symptoms and treat it Biblically.

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Did You Cross Over into the New Year?

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–– Joe Shoko

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

The beginning of each year is always an interesting time for the observer or onlooker. After the excitement of the festivities passes and the increase of unwanted kilograms dawns upon us, then comes the time for ‘declaring & decreeing’, ‘overnight cross-overs’ and ‘40 days of prayer and fasting’. This has become a ritual in Africa. Many of the adherents of Pentecostal/Charismatic theology prioritise attending the cross-over services which their churches hold on the last day of each year, into the dawn of the New Year. 

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Should Churches Be Self-Supporting, or Even Talk About Money?

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–– Tim Cantrell

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Everyone can see that the brain drain has dealt a heavy blow to Africa.  Skilled professionals emigrate overseas, while locally the working class are forced to leave their villages for our African cities in search of work, as our continent continues to urbanise.  All of these factors severely impact churches and their income.  Recent news told of a local pastor having “sleepless nights” because of losing so many faithful givers in his church to emigration.  While there are many causes of brain drain, my aim here is simply to answer two practical, related questions: (a) ‘How important is it for churches to be self-supporting?’; (b) ‘How should churches respond to a financial crisis?’  

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50 Names and Descriptions of Jesus

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  1. Advocate: Jesus stands between sinners and the Father (1Jn. 2:1).
  2. Almighty: Jesus has power over good and evil (Rev. 1:8).
  3. Amen: Jesus can be trusted (Rev. 3:14).
  4. Anointed: Jesus is the Messiah, the chosen one of God (Ps. 2:2).
  5. Apostle: Jesus was sent to earth to die (Heb. 3:1).
  6. Author of Salvation: Jesus causes us to believe in Him (Heb. 5:9).
  7. Beginning of Creation of God: Jesus is the source of all creation (Rev. 3:14).
  8. Bishop of Souls: Jesus guards and protects our souls (1Pt. 2:25).
  9. Branch: Jesus took on human nature, born of Mary (Isa. 4:2).
  10. Bread of Life: Jesus satisfies the desires of our heart (Jn. 6:35).
  11. Captain of our Salvation: Jesus gives us the ability to believe (Heb. 2:10).
  12. Chief Shepherd: Jesus is the shepherd that all others must obey (1Pt. 5:4).
  13. Chief Cornerstone: Jesus makes wise plans (Isa. 9:6).
  14. Christ Jesus my Lord: Jesus is the master of all we do (Phil. 3:8).
  15. Counselor: Jesus makes wise plans (Isa. 9:6).
  16. Deliverer: Jesus will save sinners (Rm. 11:26).
  17. Door: Jesus is the only way to enter God’s kingdom (Jn. 10:7).
  18. Emmanuel: God is with us (Mt. 1:23).
  19. End of the Law: Jesus kept the Law for sinners (Rm. 10:4).
  20. First and the Last: Jesus has always existed (Rv. 22:13).
  21. Firstborn of Every Creature: Jesus is ranked higher than all created things (Col. 1:15).
  22. Firstborn of the Dead: Jesus was the first to rise with a resurrected body (Col. 1:18).
  23. Friend of Publicans and Sinners: Jesus loves those who are not loved (Lk. 7:24).
  24. Good Shepherd: Jesus is willing to die for His sheep (Jn. 10:11).
  25. Helper: Jesus will come to those who call upon Him (Hb. 13:6).
  26. High Priest: Jesus prays for believers (Hb. 3:1).
  27. Higher than the Heavens: Jesus cannot be touched by sin (Hb. 7:26).
  28. Holy One of God: Jesus defeats demons by the power of the Spirit (Hb. 4:34).
  29. I AM: Jesus quotes Ex. 3:14 to show he is God (Jn. 8:58).
  30. Immortal: Jesus is not affected by the power of death (1Tm. 1:17).
  31. Jesus: The Lord saves (Mt. 1:21).
  32. King of kings: Jesus has authority over the rulers of this world (1Tm. 3:15).
  33. King Eternal: Jesus was never created (1Tm. 1:17).
  34. Lamb Slain: Jesus died as a sacrifice for our sins (Rv. 13:8).
  35. Lamb Without Spot: Jesus is sinless (1Pt. 1:19).
  36. Lamb of God: Jesus was sacrificed by His own Father (Jn. 1:29).
  37. Last Adam: Jesus is the first example of one with a spiritual body (1Cor. 15:45).
  38. Life: Jesus gives eternal life to those who believe (Jn. 11:25).
  39. Light of the World: Jesus opens the eyes of those in darkness (Jn. 8:12).
  40. Lord of the Harvest: Jesus will send out evangelists if we ask him (Mt. 9:38).
  41. Man of Sorrows: Jesus experienced much grief on earth (Isa. 53:3).
  42. Name Above Every Name: Jesus is greater than all the rulers of this world (Phil. 2:9).
  43. Potter: Jesus can create humans how he wants (Rm. 9:21).
  44. Prince of Peace: Jesus desires peace with his enemies (Isa. 9:6).
  45. Resurrection: Jesus rose again and so will his followers (Jn. 11:25).
  46. Servant: Jesus chose to humble himself (Phil. 2:7).
  47. Shield: Jesus protects us (Ps. 18:2).
  48. The Word: Jesus is the speech of God (Jn. 1:1).
  49. True Vine: Jesus helps us to bear fruit (Jn. 15:1).
  50. The One Who Is to Come: Jesus will return to earth one day (Rv. 1:8).

The Two Worlds in Africa

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–– Seth Meyers

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Of the 80 members in the South African Tsonga churches, 15 members have full time jobs. Several of those 15 are informal jobs such as cleaning houses or selling snacks to school children, meaning that the pay is less than R2,000 ($110) per month or R66 ($3.70) per day. One man told me that he is 100% satisfied with the job he has had for a year because it pays R4,500 ($250) per month. Other members work from time to time doing hair, building, or cleaning when part time work presents itself. 

But that should be compared with a friend in Johannesburg South Africa who told me that it would be hard for a family to live with less than R30,000 ($1,666) per month. How could it be hard to live with 10 times more than other Christians are making? 

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Nigeria, a Muslim Catechism and a Boise State Linebacker

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–– Paul Schlehlein

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Nigeria is the deadliest place in the world to follow Jesus. Militant Muslims hunt Christians there the way a lion stalks a wounded gazelle. 

According to the Open Doors Watch List, North Korea is the most dangerous place in the world for Christians, but Nigeria is the most deadly. In 2023, nearly 5,000 Christians were killed worldwide (that’s thirteen murdered a day) and 90% of these martyrdoms happened in Nigeria. More Christians are killed in Nigeria than all other nations combined, most often by Islamist jihadist groups like Boko Haram. 

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Sown, Grown, Blown, Mown, Gone 

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–– Paul Schlehlein

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Every hour, over 300 people in Nigeria die. That’s five people every minute. This is more deaths per hour than any country in Africa and fourth highest in the world. China is first, at 1,300 deaths per hour, followed by India (over 1,000) and the U.S. (340). 

The hundreds of Nigerians that pass into eternity every hour remind us of the brevity of life, as do life expectancy rates around the world, especially in Africa. Though numbers are on the rise compared to just a few decades ago, when life expectancy in Africa was 36 years old in 1950 (compared to 64 years old today), modern life expectancy is minuscule compared to the earth’s earliest days when Adam lived for 930 years and Methuselah died at 969. Enoch went to heaven as a young pup at age 365, but only because the Lord took him away before tasting death.

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The Best of Between Two Cultures: 2024

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Based on traffic, here are the most popular articles from 2024. 

  1. When Are Two People Really Married?
  2. Review: Engenas Lekganyane and the Early ZCC
  3. What Bill Gates, Spurgeon, and Muslims Teach Us About Bible Memory
  4. Am I Gay?
  5. How Long Was the Ark of the Covenant at Abinidab’s House?
  6. A Dozen Practical Ways to Evangelize
  7. Seven Ways a Husband Should Protect His Wife
  8. The Christian and the Bride Price (1): What is Lobola?
  9. Kenya’s Eco-Tax Revolt: A Christian Response
  10. Ancestor Worship in the Church

Hlawuleka and Anisa

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Psalm 45 celebrates the royal wedding of a Kingly Groom and his Princess Bride. Charles Spurgeon said that if we view this psalm as a marriage only between King Solomon and Pharaoh’s daughter, we’ll be shortsighted. If we view it merely as King Solomon and Christ, we’ll be cross-eyed.

Here’s the right perspective. Psalm 45 depicts a beautiful, earthly, royal wedding, but foreshadows the union between the Heavenly Bridegroom—Jesus Christ—and His Bride, God’s people.

The Kingly Groom

The first half of Psalm 45 lauds the groom. The writer compares his tongue to a pen (v. 1), anxious to celebrate the royal wedding by writing a song to be sung by a grand choir. Continue reading →

How Much Counsel Should I Seek From Unsaved Parents?

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Listen to the podcast discussion on this topic here: Spotify — Apple Podcasts — Youtube

Dear Joseph:

In just a few days you’ll turn the corner and find a “W”, “W” meaning both a wedding and a win. They’re equal, are they not? Scripture calls marriage a victory for both the man and the woman, a win for the man because now a helper stands beside him and a crown rests upon him. It’s a win for the woman because in front of her marches a protector, leader and provider. 

You’ve heard about the honeymoon stage of marriage, that section of time when your beloved can do no wrong. In this stage, even her burnt casserole tastes finger-licking good. But in time you’ll discover that marriage takes work, because love is a choice and you’ll not be able to coast through marriage on romantic feelings. Many marriages end in divorce because the feelings end. They forgot that the covenant of marriage is an objective choice, not a subjective feeling. 

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Unique Christmas Traditions in Africa

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–– Paul Schlehlein

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Christmas did not exist in Africa before Christianity reached its shores. Christianity did not exist in Africa before the missionaries brought it. Therefore, Africans have missionaries to thank for the Christmas holidays. 

Christmas is the holiday in which Christians celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus. Specifically, Christmas commemorates the incarnation, when God assumed human nature in the person of Christ. Unlike theophonies in the Old Testament, where Jesus appeared in human form temporarily, the incarnation was fixed and permanent, so that even today Jesus dwells in a glorified human body and maintains a human nature. 

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A Dozen Practical Ways to Evangelize 

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Listen to the podcast discussion on this topic here: Spotify — Apple Podcasts — Youtube

The Bible says: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news” (Rom. 10:15). Scripture commands Christians to tell others about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Here are a dozen practical ways to do this. 

1. Use Words

Using words to evangelize seems obvious. It is not. St. Francis of Assisi apparently said: “Always give the gospel; if necessary, use words.” This makes no sense.

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Bringing Biblical Balance To A Climate Of Extremes

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–– Mark Christopher

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

One of the constants in the news is climate change. I began studying and following the issue 20 years ago when it was called “Global Warming.” When the earth wasn’t heating up fast enough, the name was suddenly changed to the more general and easily exploitable “Climate Change.” 

The South African government recently applauded the 29th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP29) for committing 300 billion US dollars annually by 2035 to developing economies. This agreement also allows development banks to provide 1.3 trillion dollars annually in loans for climate financing. With this much money available, it is easy to see why the SA government applauds COP29. 

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A Christian Perspective on Male Circumcision Schools

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–– Paul Schlehlein

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Male circumcision schools are as common throughout sub-Saharan Africa as they are dangerous. Recently in Zambia, for example, forty-eight boys were rescued from a circumcision school after parents complained that their children had been abducted. In Malawi among the Yawo people, this rite of passage is called jando, marking a new era of sexual freedom.

Among the Tsongas in South Africa, it is called madlala. I have watched nearly two decades worth of coming home ceremonies, including the days I lived at the chief’s kraal when the boys were met with cheers from the community and dances from hordes of topless women. The father of a strong young Christian in our church tricked his son by capturing him in a vehicle and forcing him to attend the school. 

While differences in this practice vary widely between tribes and countries, I’d like to give a broad biblical perspective on male circumcision schools. 

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How Merry Should Your Christmas Be? A Christian View of Drinking 

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–– David de Bruyn & Tim Cantrell

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

The holiday season is fast approaching, with all of its blessings but also its dangers – of which one of the most notorious and widespread is the abuse of alcohol.  It was more common in my father’s generation for Christians to stand firm and swim upstream as teetotallers who abstained from alcohol.  But in our day, a trendy ‘Young, Restless & Reformed’ generation has arisen and at times foolishly flaunted their liberties in an effort to be more contextualised and hip with the culture.  A hyper-grace (antinomian) mood has fallen on the modern church and calls a “legalist” anyone who makes you uncomfortable in their zeal for holiness.

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Concern Over Christianity’s ‘Growth’ in Africa—5 Common Marks of Rural Churches 

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–– Seth Meyers

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

In war, the most important news and updates concern the conflict. The great reality beyond all others in Africa is the spiritual war where gazing angels are dazzled by the grace they see when true believers meet (Eph. 3:10). As we evaluate African churches, in this struggle over the souls of men some would say that Christianity in Africa is growing. But what is the nature of that Christianity? Should all of the growth be celebrated? Should missionaries pack up and be directed to other shores in this great battle? As one foot-soldier in the trenches on the Tsonga and Venda front in the northern part of South Africa, I report today on five marks that I have seen over and over in churches that use an African language. 

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Five Ways to Teach Your Children

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What parent doesn’t want a great education for his or her child? All fathers and mothers desire to see their sons and daughters grow in knowledge and wisdom.

Second Timothy 3:15 is a short verse of only 20 words, yet it brims with truth about teaching children. Paul writes to Timothy, his son “in the faith”, and gives five ways parents must teach their children.

And how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ.

This brief verse answers five questions. When should we teach our children? What should we teach our children? How should we teach our children? Why should we teach our children? Who should teach our children?

Teach them when they are small

Children often bother adults. We murder them in the womb because they’re too expensive. The modern family is smaller than yesteryear because children apparently take too much work. Continue reading →

The Problem with Grandmothers as the New Mothers

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–– Paul Schlehlein

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

These days it is common for the grandmother to rear her grandchildren at home while the mother studies at school or works. One can find this practice worldwide, especially in African culture, where caregiving among grandparents is often a moral requirement. In 2018, it was estimated that nearly 4 million children in South Africa were living with a grandparent or an aunt.

Follow the Rules

This practice persists because the foundation is weak. Foundations are weak when we do not follow the rules. The directions call for one bag of cement and three wheelbarrows of sand and stone. However, we cut corners, using a half bag instead. We want to save money. In the beginning, all is fine. But after some months, cracks in the foundation show. Then the wall falls down. 

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Jesus Christ in Every Old Testament Book

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  1. GENESIS portrays God as creating the world (1:1), which we know Christ was apart of according to John 1:2. “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” Because the first Adam failed in the garden (ch. 3), we need the last Adam for redemption (1Co. 15:22).
  2. EXODUS shows God identifying himself to Moses as “I AM” (Ex. 3:14), which is what Jesus calls himself in the NT (e.g. Jn. 5:58). In Exodus we also find the Passover Lamb, which pictures Jesus (1Co. 5:7) and manna, a picture of the Bread of Life (Jn. 6:31).
  3. LEVITICUS shows the holiness that God demands, which sinners cannot fulfill but Jesus can (Heb. 7:26-28). Jesus is the great high priest (Hb. 4:14).
  4. NUMBERS says that just as touching the mountain or certain utensils would bring death except by a mediator (4:15), so we need Christ as our mediator (1Tm 2:5).
  5. DEUTERONOMY says the greatest commandment is love for God (6:5; Mt. 22:37). Circumcision of the heart (10:16) is through Christ (Col. 2:11).
  6. JOSHUA’s name means “salvation” or “Yahweh saves”, which looks forward to the great warrior Jesus Christ who saves his people from their sins (Mt. 1:21).
  7. JUDGES uses sinful judges like Samson, which is nothing compared to the Great Judge, Jesus Christ (Ac. 10:42).
  8. RUTH shows that the line to Christ goes through Ruth (4:11-13), Boaz and David. Just as Boaz redeemed Ruth, so Christ redeems sinners (Gal 3:13).
  9. 1 SAMUEL shows how Israel wanted a king like other nations, but not God as their king, just as the NT people rejected Christ as their king (Ac. 3:13-15).
  10. 2 SAMUEL shows how God makes a covenant with David that one of his descendants will always be on the throne (ch. 7), ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Mt. 1:1-16).
  11. 1 KINGS tracks the reign of King Solomon, and though he started well, he ended badly, showing we need a greater King found in Christ.
  12. 2 KINGS is filled with stories of God’s grace, including 2 Kings 5 and Namaan’s cleansing of leprosy, just as Christ cleanses us from sin (Lk. 5:12-14; 24:27).
  13. 1 & 2 CHRONICLES records good kings and bad ones, but none are righteous or perfect, thus pointing to the need for Christ, the great King (Mt. 1).
  14. EZRA finds the restoration and salvation of Israel from exile, just as Christ delivers us from the domain of darkness (Col. 1:13).
  15. NEHEMIAH shows the enemies of Nehemiah trying to destroy the work of building, so do they do this today (Jn. 15:18-20) and it points to Christ’s building his Church (Mt. 16:18).
  16. ESTHER is used by God to deliver her people, just as Christ will ultimately deliver his people.
  17. JOB’s suffering is part of God’s plan and so was the suffering of Christ, for just as Satan was not allowed to take Job’s life without God’s permission, so God gave permission for Jesus to die. Job also asks the question: “How can a man be pure?” The answer is through Christ.
  18. PSALMS pictures of the suffering and abandonment of Christ in Psalm 22. They mock Christ on the cross and divide his clothing.
  19. PROVERBS teaches wisdom that comes from God and specifically Christ, who is called the wisdom of God (1Co. 1:30). We are to “trust in the Lord” with all our hearts (ch. 3), which is Christ.
  20. ECCLESIASTES highlights the vanity and emptiness of life, and makes us long for Christ, who came to give us life and give it abundantly (Jn. 10:10).
  21. SONG OF SOLOMON speaks of marital love, which is just a taste of the love Christ has for his church (Eph. 5:22-23).
  22. ISAIAH speaks of the Holy One of Israel’s deliverance/salvation of faithless Israel and urges everyone that thirsts to come to the waters to drink, anticipating Christ, the Living Water. Isaiah also contains the Old Testament Mt. Everest of salvation through Christ in Isaiah 53.
  23. JEREMIAH is filled with the rejection of God’s servant and judgment upon faithless Israel, anticipating not only the rejection of many of Christ’s servants but also the judgment he will pour upon sinners.
  24. LAMENTATIONS shows that just as Jeremiah wept over the sins of Israel, so did Christ weep over Jerusalem (Lk. 19:41-44) and give salvation to those that repent.
  25. EZEKIEL shows God judging Israel’s rebellion with exile, saying the soul that sins will die, and yet (33:11) he has no pleasure in the death of the wicked, which is proven by sending Christ to die.
  26. DANIEL shows Christ is the fourth man who stands in the fire with the three men. He is called “like the sons of the gods” (3:26). We find the “son of man” (7:13) that comes from the Ancient of days.
  27. HOSEA shows faithful Hosea’s love for faithless Gomer, which pictures God’s faithful love for rebellious Israel and Jesus’ love for a sinful church and bride (Eph. 5:22-33).
  28. JOEL pictures the Day of the Lord and anticipates Jesus’ return one day but also says “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (2:32; Rom. 10:13).
  29. AMOS is filled with judgment upon Israel’s sin and yet God is full of mercy, saying he “relented” (7:3), as Jesus is merciful and speaks of “all nations” that will one day come to Christ (9:12: Ac. 15:16-17).
  30. OBADIAH shows judgment on Edom, as those who attack God’s people will one day be judged by Christ on the Last Day (Rv. 20:11ff).
  31. JONAH shows that just as the Ninevites repented, all those today who repent and trust in Christ will find mercy, for salvation belongs to the Lord (2:9). Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days, so was Christ buried in the tomb (Mt. 12:40).
  32. MICAH shows Israel in the midst of judgment and that God gives mercy through his Messiah, Jesus, who will be born in Bethlehem (5:2; Mt. 2:1-6).
  33. NAHUM shows that just as Israel would receive the good news of deliverance from Nineveh, so sinners receive the good news of deliverance from sin. “Behold, upon the mountains, the feet of him who brings good news” (1:15; Rm. 10:15).
  34. HABAKKUK shows that just as God used the wicked to accomplish his purpose in this book, so he used the wicked to accomplish his purpose in Christ. “The just shall live by faith” (2:4) is the central idea to the gospel through Christ in Romans 1:17 and Galatians 3:11.
  35. ZEPHENIAH shows God as “the Lord in your midst” (3:15), who is Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us.
  36. HAGGAI speaks of rebuilding the temple. Jesus compares himself to a temple, saying, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up” (Jn. 2:19).
  37. ZECHARIAH speaks of “my servant the Branch”, who is Christ the Messiah. He also speaks of coming on a donkey (9:9; Mt. 21) and being sold for thirty pieces of sliver (11:13).
  38. MALACHI anticipates John the Baptist preparing the way for Christ (3:1) and turning the hearts of fathers to their children.

For Richer or Poorer? Thoughts on Formal and Informal Prenuptial Agreements

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–– Paul Schlehlein

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

In South Africa, as in many countries around the world, there are two kinds of marital regimes: “in community of property” or “out of community of property”, the latter of which usually takes the form of a prenuptial agreement. We’ll argue in this article that both formal and informal prenuptial agreements are inappropriate for Christians.

Two Marriage Regimes

“In community of property” means that all the assets and liabilities collected by either spouse before or during the marriage become jointly owned. This means that if Sally comes to the marriage with six figures of student loan debt, her husband, Steve, will incur this financial obligation. If Joseph blows the family savings at the horse races or increases his financial portfolio by 500%, Mary his wife of 30 years feels the pain or pleasure of his decisions. 

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Busted for Selling A Baby—The Reason These Women Did the Unthinkable

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–– Yamikani Katunga

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

The Sale of A Baby

With Black Friday upon us once again, nothing could prepare Zimbabweans for the darkness of the headline detailing the twisted trio of a 16-year-old mother along with her mother and another woman engaging in a sadistic sales agreement. The teen and her mother, Evelyn, appeared in court having been charged with human trafficking for selling her infant for 180 USD. The buyer is a woman named Tore who had apparently been plagued with miscarriages, and upon connecting with Evelyn on Whatsapp opportunism ensued. Rather than abort the seven-month-old pregnancy they conspired with a nurse, induced premature labour, faked a death certificate, and conducted the sale. Only to be ousted by a tip-off nine months after the baby’s birth. 

Upon hearing such a bizarre chain of events, many will rightly ask, what could cause such heinous plots in the hearts of men?

Here are three possible reasons to help understand why this mother would sell her baby. 

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