Category Archives: Suffering & Persecution

Improving Culture – A NT Example

Posted on September 17, 2020 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

Culture represents the values, traditions and behaviors of a society, and though culture is improvable, it is not perfectible. And even where positive change occurs, it’s difficult to perpetuate, largely because the people needed to sustain the change are few, flawed and temporary. A society’s culture is no better or worse than its leaders and the citizenry who support them; and at the heart of every problem is the problem of the heart. Apart from regeneration and a transformed mind and will, people will default to selfishness and sin, and so social problems continue. Furthermore, if we did make great improvements, we cannot guarantee succeeding generations will follow the good pattern set for them. Continue reading →

Posted in Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, Church, Hot Topics, Leadership, Living by Faith, Righteous Living, Suffering & Persecution | Tagged Acts 19 and Paul preaching in Ephesus, Acts 19:8-41, Are there any biblical examples where society was made better, Biblical examples of improving culture, Biblical examples of making society better, Biblical teaching on how to improve society, Does the Bible give ways we can make society better, Finding the lost scroll in the temple, How can Christians improve culture, How can Christians improve society, How can Christians make American better, How to improve culture, Paul preaching in Ephesus, Paul teaching at the school of Tyrannus, Sharing the gospel to make society better, The riot that occurred in Ephesus, Ways Christians can improve American society, Ways to improve culture, What does the Bible say about improving culture | 1 Comment

Biblical Examples of Riots and How They Were Handled – Part 3

Posted on September 4, 2020 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

A riot is a form of civil unrest in which a group causes a public disturbance by destroying property and/or harming innocent people. Often, there are corrupt individuals or groups who instigate a riot, either as a means of retaliation for some perceived injustice (real or imagined), or simply to cause disruption as a means of leveraging power within the community (i.e. a power grab). Many within the mob are willing pawns who are manipulated to act violently. The Bible teaches, “Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness” (Jam 1:19-20). However, because rioters are often more emotional than rational, it becomes very difficult to restrain a mob except by physical force. This is why a well-trained and supported police force is necessary for civil peace. Continue reading →

Posted in Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Suffering & Persecution | Tagged Biblical examples of mobs, Biblical examples of riots, How should Christians respond to a riot?, How should Christians respond to riots, How were riots handled in the Bible, Mobs in the Bible, Paul experienced a riot in Ephesus, Paul experienced a riot in Jerusalem, Paul in Ephesus, Paul in Jerusalem, riots in the Bible, The Bible and riots, what does the Bible say about riots | Leave a comment

Biblical Examples of Riots and How They Were Handled – Part 2

Posted on September 2, 2020 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

Posted in Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Living by Faith, Righteous Living, Suffering & Persecution | Tagged Biblical examples of riots, Biblical Examples of Riots and How They Were Handled, How should Christians handle riots?, How should Christians repsond to riots?, Paul and Silas before the Mob, Paul and Silas in Philippi, riots in the Bible, The stoning of Stephen, what does the Bible say about riots | 1 Comment

The Effects of Sin Upon Our World

Posted on August 23, 2020 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

This article is intended is to show how the historic fall of Adam and Eve fundamentally changed the human race and the world, resulting in disease, decay and death among all living things, and that the tendency of humanity is to behave in a spiritually and morally corrupt manner, suppressing God’s truth and rejecting His solutions to life’s problems. Understanding this helps us make sense of the world in which we live and why people behave the way they do. Continue reading →

Posted in Angels & Demons, Christian Theology, Hamartiology, Hot Topics, Suffering & Persecution | Tagged hamartiology, How in impacts the family, How sin impacts our lives, how sin impacts society, How sin impacts the world, how we overcome sin, Sin causes problems in the world, sin is lawlessness, sin means to miss the mark, sinners by choice, sinners by nature, sinners in Adam, slaves to sin, The Effects of Sin Upon Our World, the heart is sinful, the heart is wicked, The Meaning of Sin, The noetic effects of sin, The origin of sin, The Sin Nature Within the Christian, why do we sin?, why is society acting corruptly, Why we sin, why we sin? | 8 Comments

Demons and How They Influence Mankind

Posted on August 21, 2020 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

Angels are basically classified as either righteous or evil. The former retain their holy state and service to God and are called elect angels (1 Tim 5:21), whereas the latter have defected from their original state and continue in constant rebellion against God. Satan is the leader of all fallen angels (Matt 25:41; cf. Rev 12:7, 9), which Scripture designates as evil spirits (1 Sam 16:14; Luke 7:21), demons (Matt 8:31), and unclean spirits (Mark 5:1-4). These have been operating for millennia trying to frustrate the purposes of God. Continue reading →

Posted in Angels & Demons, Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Suffering & Persecution | Tagged Biblical demonology, demons, Demons and How They Influence Mankind, Demons are active in the world today, Demons in the world today, Demons influence spiritual matters, demons influencing mankind, Do demons influence political matters, evil spirits, Evils spirits influencing world rulers, fighting spiritual battles, how do we fight spiritually?, how to fight evil spirits, how to we fight demons, spiritual battles, spiritual warfare, uncelan spirits, What are demons, what are the weapons we use for spiritual warfare, What the Bible says about demons, What the Bible says about evil spirits, where do demons come from? | 8 Comments

Satan’s Evil World-System

Posted on August 19, 2020 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

The Bible recognizes Satan’s world-system and warns us not to love it (1 John 2:15-16). When John writes and tells the Christian “do not love the world”, he’s not talking about the physical planet. The Greek word κόσμος kosmos as it is used by the apostle John and others most often refers to “that which is hostile to God…lost in sin, wholly at odds with anything divine, ruined and depraved.” (BDAG) Satan’s world-system consists of those philosophies and values that perpetually influence humanity to think and behave contrary to God and His Word. This operating apart from God is first and foremost a way of thinking that is antithetical to God and His Word, a way of thinking motivated by a desire to be free from God and the authority of Scripture, a freedom most will accept, even though it is accompanied by all sorts of inconsistencies and absurdities. Continue reading →

Posted in Angels & Demons, Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Suffering & Persecution | Tagged Christians are commanded not to love the world, do not love the world, How Satan rules the world, Rescued from the domain of darkness, Satan's domain of darkness, Satan's world system, the kingdom of darkness | 8 Comments

David – A Better King

Posted on May 11, 2020 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

David was a good king who reigned in Israel from roughly 1010 to 970 B.C. David’s life was intermingled with Saul, Israel’s first king, who failed to walk with God and do His will. David was better than Saul. He was better because he was a man of faith, and faith always pleases the Lord (Heb 11:6). Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Theology, Leadership, Living by Faith, Suffering & Persecution | Tagged A man after God's own heart, David, David and Goliath, David cared for his father's flock, David fled from Saul for fifteen years, David kills a lion and a bear, David was a better king than Saul, David was better than Saul, David would not kill Saul, David's rise to kingship, King David, Saul tried to kill David, Sin and mental decline, The Lord's anointed | 2 Comments

When Life Gets Tough

Posted on March 28, 2020 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

When life gets tough, sometimes God reassures and comforts us (Psa 23:4; 2 Cor 1:3-5; 2 Th 2:16-17), sometimes we comfort each other (Eph 6:22; 1 Th 4:18), and sometimes we comfort ourselves with His Word (Psa 119:50, 52; Lam 3:21-23). But there are times in Scripture when God does not give comfort—at least not in the way we might expect—but informs His people that things will get worse, and that they need to prepare themselves for the challenges and suffering ahead (Matt 10:16, 23; John 15:20; 16:1-2; Acts 9:15-16; 20:22-23). Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Theology, Inspirational Writings, Living by Faith, Suffering & Persecution | Tagged Faith in trials, how can you compete with horses?, How to handle difficulties, If you have run with footmen, Jeremiah 12, Jeremiah 12:1-6, Jeremiah 12:5, Jeremiah walked with God, Jeremiah was a prophet to Judah, Living by faith, looking to God, running the Christian race, spiritual sensitivities, The problem of evil, Troubles are a part of life, When life gets tough, When we have nowhere to look but God | 4 Comments

Choosing the Faithful Way – Psalm 119:25-32

Posted on September 20, 2019 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

In Psalm 119:25-32, the psalmist expressed himself as one who faced great distress and who cried out to the Lord for strength. Though faced with conflict, he committed himself to pursue God and to run in His ways. His desire was to have enhanced knowledge of God’s Word, which would strengthen his soul and increase his capacity for righteous living. The benefit was a soul set free to run with God and a knowledge and capacity to do His will. Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Exegesis, Christian Theology, Inspirational Writings, Living by Faith, Psalms, Righteous Living, Suffering & Persecution | Tagged Believers struggle with depression, Choosing the faithful way, depression, faithful obedience, Personal revival, Psalm 119, Psalm 119:25-32, Revive me according to your word, seeking strength from God, what does it mean to run with God?, what does it mean to walk with God? | 7 Comments

When God Gives Us a Test

Posted on July 16, 2019 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

God tests His people. It’s a fact that is repeated throughout Scripture (Exo 16:4; 20:20; Deu 13:3; Jud 3:1-2; Isa 48:10). He tests us with difficult situations in order to humble us, so that we will not look to ourselves for strength, but to Him. In the end, the test reveals that it is God who provides for us. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Inspirational Writings, Living by Faith, Suffering & Persecution | Tagged Each day has enough trouble of its own, Faith for today, Faith for tomorrow, Jehovah Jireh, Learning to trust in God, Seek first His kingdom, Seek the Lord, The Lord will provide, The purpose of testing, the value of suffering, The value of testing, When Abraham offered Isaac, When God gives us a test, Why did God test Abraham?, Why does God test His people?, Why does the Lord test us?, Yahweh Yireh | 6 Comments

Alexander the Coppersmith

Posted on February 3, 2019 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

There are times when it’s necessary to specifically name a person as hostile in order to warn others to avoid unnecessary harm. This was true of the apostle Paul, who warned his friend, Timothy, about a man named Alexander. Continue reading →

Posted in Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Living by Faith, Righteous Living, Suffering & Persecution | Tagged Alexander the Coppersmith, avoiding people who cause trouble, Avoiding trouble, God will repay, God will repay those who hurt us, Guard yourself from others who want to hurt you, Is it ok to name people and their faults?, Never seek retaliation, Never take your own revenge, Protect yourself from people who want to hurt you, When to avoid trouble, When to guard yourself from others | 1 Comment

Submission to Authority – Part III

Posted on January 26, 2019 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

Christians will, at times, suffer unjustly at the hands of those whom God has placed in authority over us, like the suffering Hagar experienced at the hand of Sarai. And, the harsh or immoral character of leaders should never dictate our response; rather, we should be governed by God’s Word, as we look to Christ as our example of unjust suffering. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Leadership, Living by Faith, Righteous Living, Suffering & Persecution | Tagged 1 Peter 2:18, Abram and Sarai and Hagar, Genesis 16, Jesus as our example of submitting to authority, Living by faith under a harsh boss, Should I submit to my boss when he's a jerk?, Should we submit to abusive authority?, Should we submit to harsh leaders?, Submission to authority, Submitting to the boss, The conception of Ishmael, When should we say "no" to authority?, Why did God make Hagar submit to Sarai? | 7 Comments

Submission to Authority – Part II

Posted on January 21, 2019 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

Rebellion against God’s authority started with Satan, an angelic creature who, at an unspecified time, led an angelic revolt against God and created a kingdom of darkness. Afterward, God created Adam and Eve to serve under His authority, as mediatorial administrators who cared for the earth. However, God permitted Satan to tempt Adam and Eve to rebel against His authority, and when they agreed to follow Satan, his kingdom of darkness was expanded and he became the temporary ruler of this world. According to God’s wise plan and sovereign will, He sent His Son into the world and the Son added humanity to Himself, lived an absolutely righteous life in obedience to His Father and went to the cross and died for sinful humanity. At the cross, Jesus reclaimed this world and pronounced judgment and sentencing for Satan, who will eventually be cast into the Lake of Fire forever. Until that time, Satan continues as a subversive living in God’s world, and he has many followers who are used by him to subvert God’s will on earth. These enemies of God seek to infiltrate governmental systems and command people—both saved and lost—to disobey God. Though Christians are commanded to obey human leaders, we can never obey a command that is contrary to God’s will. Continue reading →

Posted in Angels & Demons, Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Leadership, Living by Faith, Righteous Living, Suffering & Persecution | Tagged Adam and Eve rebelled against God, Adam and Eve submitted to Satan, Civil disobedience, God intended Adam and Eve to rule over the earth, God is always sovereign, God permits Satan to act, God permits Satan to tempt His people, God's sovereignty, Good end evil coexist, Is Satan the god of this age?, Is Satan the god of this world?, Is Satan the ruler of this world?, Is there a time when Christians disobey authority?, Jesus reclaimed the world, Satan convinced Adam and Eve to rebel against God's authority, Satan has planted subversives in the world, Satan is the god of this age, Satan is the god of this world, Satan led an angelic revolt in heaven, Satan rebelled against God's authority, Satan's world system, Submission to authority, the fall of Satan, The parable of the wheat and the tares, When did Satan fall?, When should the Christian refuse to obey authority?, Why does good and evil coexist? | 7 Comments

Submission to Authority – Part I

Posted on January 13, 2019 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

God is the supreme Ruler of His creation, and He has established human governmental authorities to promote law and order. This means He has delegated authority to persons and groups who serve as administrative overseers to others. As Christians, we are commanded to submit to those in authority over us, whether it is the president, state governors, local city officials, police officers, employers, parents, teachers, etc. Failure to submit to human authority is regarded as failure to submit to God, Who has placed those persons over us. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Leadership, Living by Faith, Righteous Living, Suffering & Persecution | Tagged 1 Peter 2:13-14, Biblical examples of submission to authority, Christian citizenship, God delegates authority, God is the supreme ruler over creation, hupotasso, Pray of those in authority, Romans 13:1, Should believers submit to human authority?, Submission to authority, Submit to authority, what does it mean to submit to authority?, What does the Bible say about submission to authority?, when can the believer say no to authority? | 7 Comments

The Faithfulness of the Lord

Posted on December 12, 2018 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

The strength of the believer is in God, as we trust His Word, believing He will sustain us as we face life’s difficulties. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Theology, Inspirational Writings, Living by Faith, Spirituality, Suffering & Persecution | Tagged a fortiori rationale, Christian victory, Do not trust in man, Faith in God, faith in God's Word, God is faithful, God's faithfulness, God's loyal followers, People fail, The faithfulness of the Lor, Trust in the Lord, Trust the Lord in the trial, Victory in life, Victory in life comes from the Lord, Wait on the Lord | 10 Comments

The Lord is My Shepherd – Psalm 23

Posted on March 13, 2018 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

The 23rd psalm is known and appreciated by many, but it belongs personally only to those who call God their shepherd. It is a song of David’s confidence in God who faithfully provides for him. David pictures God as a shepherd who guides, provides, and protects (vss. 1-4), and as a dinner host who nourishes and refreshes His guest (vs. 5-6). One gets the impression that David wrote this psalm at a time when he was experiencing hardship (perhaps when he was fleeing in the wilderness from Absalom). The psalm reveals a confidence in David’s soul, no doubt the result of his relationship with God and his trust in the LORD’s goodness and loyal-love. Whatever threat David was facing, he could rely on God’s goodness and lovingkindness, and David knew the end of his life would be “in the house of the LORD forever” (vs. 6). Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Exegesis, Christian Theology, Living by Faith, Psalms, Suffering & Persecution | Tagged A psalm of David, David as shepherd, David killed the bear, David killed the lion, faith in troubling times, God as our Shepherd, God as Shepherd, God is with me, God's love and goodness, God's loyal love, God's shepherds feed His people, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul, I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever, I will fear no evil, Jesus is the good Shepherd, Jesus is the great Shepherd, Lie down in green pastures, Psalm 23, Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, the 23rd Psalm, The Lord is my Shepherd, The meaning of chesed, The name of the LORD, the name of YHWH, The valley of the shadow of death, You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, Your rod and staff comfort me | 12 Comments

When Believers Hide

Posted on February 4, 2017 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

There have been, and are times when God’s people hide themselves, or were hidden by others, in the face of persecution. Biblically, there appear to be both right and wrong reasons for hiding. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Theology, Hamartiology, Hot Topics, Suffering & Persecution | Tagged a secret believer, A secret disciple, and secret Christian, confessing Christ before others, Crypto Christians, Elijah hid himself in a cave, Moses' parents hid him, Obadiah hid one hundred prophets, Peter denied the Lord three times, Rahab hid the spies, secret believers, secret Christians, When believers hide, Will true believers hide their faith? | 10 Comments

The Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53

Posted on April 12, 2014 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

It is in the understanding of the suffering and death of Christ that the sinner appreciates God’s great love and the price that was paid for his salvation. Christ suffered in place of the sinner, bearing the … Continue reading →

Posted in Hamartiology, Salvation, Suffering & Persecution | Tagged Christian suffering, commentary on Isaiah 53:5-8, Isaiah 53, Isaiah 53:5, Jesus died for our sins, saved by grace through faith, The Cross of Christ, The Crucified Christ, the death of Christ, The Suffering Servant, Why did Jesus die?, why do the righteous suffer | 8 Comments

God Wrestled With Jacob

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

God blesses and disciplines. He comforts and corrects. He meddles in our affairs. He never leaves us alone. Why should He? He loves us too much to leave us where we are. He wants the best in … Continue reading →

Posted in Suffering & Persecution | Tagged Angel of the Lord, fighting with God, Genesis 32, Genesis 32:22-30, Genesis 32:24-30, God humbles believers, God humbles Jacob, God in human form, God wrestles with Jacob, Jacob fights with God, learning humility, The Angel of the Lord, Theophany | 5 Comments

The Apostle Paul – Chosen to Suffer for Christ

Posted on July 8, 2013 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both … Continue reading →

Posted in Suffering & Persecution | Tagged Acts 9, Christian suffering, Damascus road, Paul's salvation experience, Paul's thorn in the flesh, suffering, suffering for Christ, the conversion of Paul, the conversion of Saul, the Damascus road experience, the suffering of the righteous, why do the righteous suffer | 11 Comments

The House of Mourning

Posted on July 2, 2013 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

“The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning, while the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure” (Eccl. 7:4). Continue reading →

Posted in Death, Suffering & Persecution | Tagged Christian suffering, death, Ecclesiastes 7:2-4, facing sorrow, how do we handle death?, learning from sorrow, learning from suffering, mourning, suffering, suffering and death, suffering and depression, The House of Mourning, the purpose of sorrow, weeping, why do the righteous suffer | 6 Comments

O Christ, what burdens bowed Thy head! – Anne Ross Cousin

Posted on June 22, 2013 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

O Christ, what burdens bowed Thy head! Our load was laid on Thee; Thou stoodest in the sinner’s stead – To bear all ill for me. A victim led, Thy blood was shed; Now there’s no load for me. Death … Continue reading →

Posted in Hymns & Poetry, Suffering & Persecution | Tagged Ann Ross Cousin, faith alone, faith in Jesus, Jesus' death, O Christ, what burdens bowed Thy head! | Leave a comment

The Lord’s Day of Vengeance

Posted on September 16, 2012 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

Many in the world today look to gods and religions that are ultimately no greater than those who support them. Sadly, many who defend them often resort to violence when their theological presuppositions are threatened. Unlike those who feel … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Worldview, Prophecy, Suffering & Persecution | Tagged Christian suffering, God's wrath, suffering, the Day of Vengeance, the Day of Vengeance is coming, The Lord's Day of Vengeance, the prosperity of the wicked, the suffering of the righteous, when the wicked prosper, why do evil men prosper, why do the righteous suffer, why do the wicked prosper, wicked prosper | 1 Comment

God Allows Suffering

Posted on July 26, 2012 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

A truth of Scripture is that living by faith may result in great blessing, and other times may result in great suffering. The believer is not to concern himself with the end result of either blessing or suffering, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Suffering & Persecution | Tagged Christian suffering, God allows suffering, suffering, the suffering of the righteous, why do the righteous suffer | 5 Comments

A Theological Look at Suffering

Posted on March 24, 2012 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

Everyone suffers. It’s not really a question of who will and who won’t, but how much and how often? Most people want to know why they suffer, if there’s any purpose to suffering, or if there’s anything they … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Theology, Suffering & Persecution | Tagged A look at suffering, do Christians suffer?, suffering, the prosperity of the wicked, the suffering of the righteous, what does the Bible say about suffering?, when the wicked prosper, why do Christians suffer?, why do evil men prosper, why do innocent people suffer?, why does God allow suffering? | 3 Comments

Suffering and Depression

Posted on March 16, 2012 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

Suffering touches us all. It moves and shapes us in ways we never imagine. It breaks us down and builds us up, but it never leaves us where it finds us. In Scripture we learn that God’s power is magnified in our weaknesses and that suffering reveals our true state as weak creatures who need the Lord in our lives for strength and guidance (2 Cor. 12:7-10). Continue reading →

Posted in Hot Topics, Inspirational Writings, Suffering & Persecution | Tagged Biblical examples of suffering, Biblical suffering, Christian depression, Christian suffering, depression, do Christians get depressed? why do Christians suffer, do Christians suffer?, From womb to tomb, suffering, suffering and depression, the suffering of Jeremiah, The suffering of Job, the suffering of the righteous, what does the Bible say about depression, what does the Bible say about suffering?, why do the righteous suffer, why do we suffer | 8 Comments

Early Church Persecutions

Posted on April 8, 2010 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

Persecution is the suffering or pressure, mental, moral, or physical, which authorities, individuals, or crowds inflict on others, especially for opinions or beliefs, with a view to their subjection by recantation, silencing, or, as a last resort, execution. (G. W. … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Inspirational Writings, Suffering & Persecution | Tagged Christian martyrs, Christian persecutions, Christian suffering, church persecution, Early church persecutions, martyr, martyrdom, persecution of Christians, persecution of Christians in the early church, persecution of the church, suffering for Christ, what does it mean to be a Christian martyr, why do the righteous suffer | 8 Comments

The Value of Suffering

Posted on June 13, 2009 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

Romans 5:1-5 Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspirational Writings, Suffering & Persecution | Tagged Christian suffering, Francis Schaeffer, Mental and emotional stability, suffering, the suffering of Christ, the value of suffering, why do the righteous suffer, why do we suffer | 7 Comments