Blog, Podcast, YouTube, and Books by Ray Burns
Approximate Reading Time: 10 minutes As we continue our look into the 5 “solas” of the Protestant Reformation, let’s discuss why being saved by faith isn’t just an opinion about salvation, but the only thing that makes sense. What is faith? I’ve done a 5 part series that digs deep into what “faith” really looks like (check it out here). […]
Approximate Reading Time: 6 minutes When we look back at how the early church developed into the Catholic Church, much of it boils down to one simple problem: Christians weren’t encouraged to read the Bible. The church authorities, whether the pope or his bishops, were instead the ones who were in charge of reading the Bible and telling everyone else
Approximate Reading Time: 12 minutes Up to this point, we’ve taken a big look at everything that led to the Catholic Church as we saw it in the 1500s, just before it split during the Protestant Reformation. As we’ve seen, it’s clear that the church’s roots in Christianity had been almost lost as sinful men did what they always do
Why Did God Allow the Church to Split? (Part 4): Why the Church Had to Split Read More »
Approximate Reading Time: 10 minutes If living by faith is what makes us feel most alive in a world so broken by sin, then doubt can feel like a sickness threatening to pull us away from the Savior we so desperately desire. Those thoughts that constantly make us question our faith can leave us frustrated and cold. Worse, dwelling on
Biblical Faith vs. Modern Faith (Part 5): Why Do We Doubt? Read More »
Approximate Reading Time: 8 minutes As Catholicism spread around the world, gaining both political and religious power, the inevitable happened. By being given the ability to have power, leaders gained a desire to not just maintain that power, but see it continue to grow. Biblical understandings went unchecked, grumblings were met with persecution, and the Bible itself became a tool
Why Did God Allow the Church to Split? Part 3: Catholic Teachings that Went Too Far Read More »
Approximate Reading Time: 6 minutes When we consider the historical Roman Catholic church, it’s easy to imagine that it’s simply always existed in its current form. Yet the grand buildings, authority structure, and even the belief system didn’t just pop into existence. In fact, the Catholic Church is the result of historical Christians simply trying to make the most sense
Why Did God Allow the Church to Split? (Part 2): How the World Became Catholic Read More »
Approximate Reading Time: 9 minutes Using your phone or a piece of paper, I want you to take a quick note. Simply write down three things that you know God wants you to do, but for whatever reason, you struggle to do it (or you struggle to give it up). I don’t mean things like “be happier,” but specific actions
Biblical Faith vs Modern Faith (Part 4): Living By Faith Read More »
Approximate Reading Time: 8 minutes True, biblical faith is a 3-part process. Last time, we discussed why we must have something to put our faith in. As Christians, our faith isn’t in a what but in a person – Jesus Christ. Yet believing He’s real isn’t enough – if we’re going to walk by faith, we have to know it’s
Biblical Faith vs Modern Faith (Part 3): Why Should We Trust God? Read More »
Approximate Reading Time: 10 minutes (Click here for the podcast version of this article) In our culture, prayer seems to be equal parts completely natural and totally alien. We find it easy to call out to God during distress and heartache, while at the same time struggle to last more than a minute in our daily prayers. This may be
How Should I Pray? Read More »
Approximate Reading Time: 5 minutes Our culture shares a common belief that fighting within a marriage is normal. It’s even labeled as “healthy.” Psychologists and relationship experts insist that if a couple doesn’t fight and argue once in a while, something is actually wrong in the marriage. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put