Grabbing Euthyphro by the Horns

My college friend threw a problem my way – something from his philosophy teacher.  It’s called the Euthyphro Dilemma and it goes back at least to the time of Plato:  Does God command something because it is good, or is it good because God commands it?

The solution is found in today’s passage: God is personal and so He has a certain character. That is, certain qualities are essential to the “nature” of God. His commands, then, are an expression of His nature. He is the ultimate good and His commands are always consistent with His character – or, who He is by nature. His commands are the faithful expression of these essential character traits.

Col 3.01-17.pdf

Palmer St. Podcast: Colossians 2:16-23

Reality The Colossian church, however, was beginning to move in the direction of religious rules and rituals. Paul warns them hoping to stop them in their tracks before it’s too late. Jesus Christ is the ultimate reality. Don’t get distracted by things that simply look or sound religious.

Col 2.16-23.mp3

Col 2.16-23.pdf

Palmer St. Podcast: Colossians 2:6-15

“Familiarity breeds contempt” says the proverb. Turns out, according to a recent study , that on average, we like other people less the more we know about them. Familiarity really does breed contempt. Sometimes our familiarity with Jesus can make even Him seem less interesting, but in that case the fault is really our own.

Col 2.06-15.mp3

Col 2.06-2.15.pdf

Palmer St. Podcast: Preach the Word

Sunday was the installation service for Pastor Mark Radke at the nearby Garfield Park United Church of Christ.  Mark is a good friend and partner in ministry in our area of Indianapolis.  He was kind enough to ask me to speak for the occasion.

Preach the Word.mp3

Preach the Word.pdf