Paradoxes of Fear (September-October 2012)

September-October 2012
Volume 21, Number 5

We live in a world gripped by many fears. Some of them are personal phobias like agoraphobia (fear of crowds or open spaces) and ophidiophobia (fear of snakes). Other fears, however, can have a significant effect on our spiritual lives. God frequently urges us not to fear, yet we are to have a fear of Him. We consider fear to be negative, but some fears are "healthy." How do we explain such paradoxes? How do we deal with fear? (iStockphoto)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh
Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty (Part Two)

Knowing God is vital to our salvation and eternal life, and it is not just knowing that He exists. Truly knowing God is a specific and detailed knowledge of His attributes and attitudes. John Ritenbaugh reveals that fully accepting God's sovereignty should drive us to seek Him so that we can come to know Him as completely and personally as possible.

Ready Answer
The Sin of Fear (Part Two)
by Pat Higgins

In a world influenced by Satan the Devil, fear is a constant that we must all deal with. We may be confused, though, because we can see two contradictory sides of fear, the good fears and the bad ones. Pat Higgins explains the paradoxes of fear, encouraging us to begin and remain in the proper fear of God.

Prophecy Watch
Post-Historic Cave-Dwellers
by Charles Whitaker

Sometimes, in reading through various parts of the Bible, we come across phrases and ideas that do not make much sense to us—or on closer reading do not mean what we have always thought them to mean. Charles Whitaker looks at Revelation's sixth seal in more detail, particularly the reaction of certain people to the amazing heavenly signs they witness.

WorldWatch
Endangering Our Children
by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The U.S. political landscape has emboldened liberals to label traditional and conservative views as far out of the American mainstream, particularly on the subject of gay marriage. However, Richard Ritenbaugh provides examples of recent scientific studies that overwhelmingly find that children raised in "gay households" are significantly disadvantaged as compared to those reared in traditional families.

Bible Study
The Miracles of Jesus Christ:
Exorcising a Young Boy (Part Two)
by Martin G. Collins

When Jesus came down from the Mount of Transfiguration, He faced a tragic situation in the demon possession of a young boy. Martin Collins discusses the boy's affliction in terms of its medical description, intensity, defilement, and deadliness.