Forerunner: Preparing Christians for the Kingdom of God



What Kind of Worker Are You? (January-February 2014)

January-February 2014
Volume 23, Number 1


In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon observes those in his time conducting their daily activities, and in chapter 4, he watches several people at their work. He concentrates on their attitudes--why they work as hard or as little as they do. How we work says a great deal about us, especially the kind of character we are building along the way to the Kingdom of God. (David Noton Photography / Alamy)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh
Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Five):
Comparisons

The content of Ecclesiastes 4 is a series of comparisons based in the everyday life of a society—from the gulf between the powerful and those they oppress to the various attitudes that people bring to their daily work. John Ritenbaugh explains that Solomon provides these comparisons to indicate the choices we should make to live better lives in alignment with God, even in an "under the sun" world.

Ready Answer
Can We Win People For Christ?

by David C. Grabbe

Most of the professing Christian world believes that it is the duty of believers to "win people for Christ," a phrase that has been drawn from the apostle Paul's words in II Corinthians 9:19-22. David Grabbe argues that, contrary to majority opinion, this passage proclaims nothing of the sort if seen in the context of the whole counsel of God, particularly that of God's prerogative to call people to Him.

Prophecy Watch
Baruch's Complaint (Part One)

by Charles Whitaker

The situation that faced God's prophet, Jeremiah, and his scribe and companion, Baruch, in the last days of Judah's monarchy was one of depravity and despair. Charles Whitaker explores the historical, cultural, and religious context of the months just before Jerusalem's fall to the Babylonians, putting Baruch's complaint (Jeremiah 45) in its proper setting.

WorldWatch
Ukrainian Instability, Russian Initiative

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

One of the winter's main news stories involved the unrest in Ukraine brought about by that nation's bipolar tendencies: One part of the country desires closer ties with Europe, while the other prefers Russia. Richard Ritenbaugh reviews the events of what is now called the Euromaidan protests, perceiving that, during them, Russia's Vladimir Putin played a shrewd game to increase his nation's power and geopolitical position.

Bible Study
The Miracles of Jesus Christ:
Healing a Man With Dropsy

by Martin G. Collins

In this miraculous event recorded in Luke 14:1-6, Jesus deliberately heals a man with dropsy on the Sabbath at the house of a chief Pharisee. Martin Collins shows that Jesus was teaching them an unmistakable lesson about the purpose of the Sabbath day: It is a day to perform acts of loving service to others, especially to those in need.