Category Archives: Christianity

Plain Speaking and the Construction of Legitimacy: A White Paper on Rhetorical Transparency as a Strategy of Authority

Executive Summary Plain speaking—characterized by direct language, minimal euphemism, and an aversion to ornamental or evasive rhetoric—has historically functioned as a powerful strategy for establishing legitimacy across political, religious, legal, and institutional contexts. This white paper examines plain speaking not … Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, Musings | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

White Paper: The Problem of Ownership Claims Without Product and the Contribution Threshold for Legitimate Credit

Executive Summary Across creative industries, research environments, entrepreneurial ventures, and institutional collaborations, disputes frequently arise over who deserves credit or ownership. A growing pattern involves individuals asserting ownership rights or demanding credit on the basis of having had an idea—even … Continue reading

Posted in Musings, On Creativity | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

White Paper: Artificial Intelligence in Biblical Hermeneutics and the Essential Role of Proper Prompt Design

Executive Summary Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly large-language models (LLMs), is rapidly becoming a central tool for those who study Scripture—pastors, scholars, lay teachers, and content creators alike. While AI can accelerate research, generate linguistic insights, and offer comparative perspectives on … Continue reading

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Church of God, Musings | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

White Paper: The Necessity of Epistemological Humility in Human Judgment and Action

Executive Summary Epistemological humility—the recognition of our limited knowledge, fallible reasoning, and susceptibility to error—is not merely a philosophical virtue. It is a practical necessity for individuals, institutions, and societies navigating an increasingly complex world. Human understanding is unavoidably partial, … Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, Church of God, Musings | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

White Paper: Biblicist Grounds for Re-Baptism When Conversion Occurs After an Earlier Baptism

Executive Summary This white paper examines whether Scripture provides grounds for a Christian to be re-baptized if he or she believes true conversion took place after a prior baptism. A strictly biblicist approach reveals that Scripture neither trivializes baptism nor … Continue reading

Posted in Bible, Biblical History, Christianity, Church of God, History, Musings | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Before Me:  Living In The Presence of God

[Note:  The following is the prepared notes for a sermon given to the Dalles, Oregon congregation on Sabbath, December 6, 2025.] Introduction: The Depth of Hebrew Words and the Challenge of Translation The Hebrew Scriptures are composed in a language … Continue reading

Posted in Bible, Biblical History, Christianity, Church of God, History, Sermonettes | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

White Paper: Multi-Level Marketing in the Bible? A Biblicist Examination of Claims, Parallels, and Ethical Evaluation

Executive Summary Claims circulate in popular Christian teaching that “MLMs are described in the Bible” or even that “the early church functioned like an MLM.” These claims are typically made to legitimize a modern business model by analogy with perceived … Continue reading

Posted in Biblical History, Christianity, Church of God, History, Musings | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

White Paper: The Authority Paradox: Why Those Who Struggle to Respect Authority Often Seek Authority Themselves

Executive Summary Across institutions—families, churches, workplaces, governments—one repeatedly encounters a persistent paradox: individuals who resist, resent, or reject legitimate authority are often the very individuals who most desire to be seen as authorities themselves. They frequently fail to perceive the … Continue reading

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Church of God, Musings | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

White Paper: Writing for Trends vs. Writing for Longevity — Strategic Distinctions Between Hot Topics and Evergreen Content

Executive Summary Writers today face two dominant strategic pathways: Producing topical, trend-aligned content that captures immediate attention by engaging with what is hot and culturally relevant. Developing evergreen content that retains value long after publication and is consistently rediscovered by … Continue reading

Posted in Musings, On Creativity | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

White Paper: Giving an Answer for One’s Faith—A Biblicist Framework for Ordinary Believers

Executive Summary This white paper examines what Scripture itself expects of ordinary believers in giving an answer for their faith. Rather than constructing requirements from later systematic theology, ecclesiastical structures, or philosophical traditions, this paper relies solely on the biblical … Continue reading

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Church of God, Musings | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment