Skip to main content
search
All Posts By

Adam Dooley

Jul 08
Love0

Unexpected Blessings in Dark Places

By Christian Living, Comfort, Faithfulness, Gratitude, Sovereignty, Trials, Uncategorized No Comments

How can we make this work? My wife fought back tears as she tried to process the mixed emotions that gripped her. We sat in what felt like eternal silence, occasionally looking at one another but without words to articulate our feelings. During the darkest valley of our adult lives, this news was the last “blessing” we expected to receive.

 This week marks 15 years since childhood cancer rocked our world. Those were tough days due to a regimented and exhausting routine. Because we lived in Mobile, AL then, every Tuesday we boarded an early flight to Memphis, TN for my oldest son’s weekly chemotherapy at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Usually arriving before dinner, we ate a quick meal at what was formerly the Grizzly House (now Tri-Delta Place) before heading over to the hospital for lab work meant to measure his immunity levels. Then, early the next morning, we met Carson’s attending physician in the clinic in who cleared us for his weekly cocktail of medication. Despite the occasional lumbar puncture sprinkled in every few months, we usually finished by lunch on Wednesday before returning to the airport for the reverse flight home.

The only ingredient worse than the grueling pace of this drill was the daunting prospect of maintaining its grind for 128 consecutive weeks. Early on, my wife and I decided to alternate trips, but with 75% of the treatment protocol remaining everything was about to change. Fighting childhood cancer was difficult enough with two children. How could we possibly add a third to such a frantic schedule? With a sick child needing so much attention, how could we adequately care for a newborn? How could we manage another responsibility?

But the test did not lie.

Thankfully, neither did God’s Word. I knew and believed that children are a gift from the Lord (Psalm 127:3-5). I understood that all human life is valuable because every person is made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27). I also remembered that Jesus compared the pain of childbirth to the sorrow surrounding his death, while also insisting that the joy of giving birth will mirror the joy of his disciples after His resurrection (John 16:21). God seemed to whisper through my doubts, “Consider this an unexpected blessing.”

But in the interest of transparency, can I admit that it did not feel like a blessing? Don’t misunderstand, we wanted more children. Our plan, however, was to weather our storm before expanding our family. Surely, God knew the timing was all wrong! Anyone could see this was too much to ask in our situation! Yet, the Lord’s ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Now, all these years later, I am embarrassed by my shortsightedness. That unexpected blessing was my third son. Though the news of his arrival initially felt like an ill-timed intrusion, it actually became a healthy distraction during our deepest valley. Yes, some days were challenging, and we often wrestled with anxiety, but it was also impossible to dwell on our trial and wallow in our misery. God, in His goodness, gave us joy in the midst of our darkness.

As unexpected as it was, the birth of our son was exactly what we needed at precisely the right time. Because of our new addition, we laughed, we celebrated, and we marveled over our God instead of living in doubt. When I look at him today, I see myself behind his piercing brown eyes. He is smart, athletic, mischievous, and the life the party. We cannot imagine life without him.

I still grieve that I did not see it at first.

God has many purposes through our suffering, many of which we may never understand. Yet, undoubtedly, the Lord often works in the midst of our adversities to drop unexpected blessings into our lives. He may gift you with greater character and hope (Rom. 5:3-5). He may comfort you in order to make you a blessing to others (2 Cor. 1:3-4). Maybe He desires to correct your waywardness and to protect you from problems you don’t see coming (Heb. 12:5-11). Whether the goal is greater humility (2 Cor. 12:7), deeper intimacy with the Lord (Psalm 119:64-68), or increased heavenly reward (2 Cor. 4:16-18), you can rest knowing that God is working in ways you cannot see to provide blessings you do not expect.

Trials are deceptive, not only because of the wounds they leave behind, but also because of the vision they steal from us. Be careful. The light of God’s faithfulness will always penetrate the darkness of our heaviest burdens, even if not immediately. You may not see it now, but you will one day.

So, look around. You are likely more blessed than you think. In fact, the very trial that you hate may be the means God chooses to deliver an unexpected blessing that you do not deserve.

Trust Him (Rom. 8:28).

Follow Him (James 1:2-4).

Rest in Him (Matt. 11:28-29).

You will be glad that you did.

Adam B. Dooley
July 8, 2025

**This post first appeared with the release of Hope When Life Unravels. Purchase your copy today wherever books are sold.

Jul 01
Love0

Happy Birthday, USA!

By America, Christian Living, Church, Future, Persecution, Pluralism, Politics, Priorities, Separation Church and State No Comments

Every birthday is important. The passing of another year is worthy of celebration because each trip around the sun measures the gift of existing and all the blessings that come with it. For the United States, the Fourth of July marks the significance of our national beginning. After months of laboring over its final wording, the Continental Congress delivered the Declaration of Independence, completing the birth of our country. Every fireworks show, barbeque with friends, and national anthem rendition is a fitting observance of America’s birthday.

Remembering the spiritual groundswell that led to our rise is also an important part of our patriotic celebrations. Though some revisionists regularly dismiss Christianity’s profound influence on both the formation of the American colonies as well as their decisive break from Great Brittain, honest historians acknowledge the seminal guidance of biblical faith toward producing a constitutional republic. Of the settlers in our new land, 98% were Protestant believers (admittedly of different stripes), 2% were Catholic, and slightly over 2000 were Jewish.

Furthermore, the prevalent claim that most of America’s Founders were deists is verifiably false in light of their frequent appeals to divine providence. After recognizing endowed rights from our Creator, the Declaration of Independence concludes with “a firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence.”

It was no accident that later, the very First Amendment codified into the US Constitution (1789) guaranteed the freedom of religion, insisting that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Sadly, many recklessly abuse this sacred right by insisting on the freedom from religion rather than freedom of religion. With frequent appeals to a separation between church and state, today’s common refrain is that faith has no place whatsoever in the public square.

Historically, Baptists have been the greatest proponents of the “the separation between church and state,” but few phrases suffer more misuse than this one. If you expose the atrocities of the abortion industry, offer a biblical definition of marriage and gender, or appeal to the morality of any public policy, many will quickly lament the mixture of religion and politics as if the two cannot coexist. Ironically, the loudest voices claiming that the church is becoming too political have no problem at all when their politics becomes more and more theological.

We need to acknowledge that the concept of “separation between church and state” is not found anywhere in our U.S. Constitution. Thomas Jefferson coined the phrase in 1802 while writing to Danbury Baptists in Connecticut. These believers expressed concern that the ratification of the First Amendment did not go far enough in protecting religious minorities from governmental intrusion.

Remember, many of America’s earliest citizens sought freedom from the oppression of the state sanctioned Church of England, and Baptists in particular were fearful of similar overreach in their new land. For smaller denominations, the rising influence of early Congregationalists and the taxes funneled to them felt eerily similar to the missteps of their previous experience.

Thus, Jefferson sought to reassure these Christians of their freedom to practice and verbalize their faith without interruption from the government. Rather than exile Christian ideas out of political debate, our third president sought to preserve their expression by eliminating the fear of legal blowback. From his perspective, the First Amendment successfully prevented the federal government from espousing a preferenceof religion without eliminating the presence of religion from our budding republic.

Tragically, our modern sensibilities erroneously maintain, contrary to Jefferson, that Christian influence is more dangerous than governmental interference. Religious liberty is the foundational cornerstone upon which our nation was built. Our founders understood that the best ideas will rise to the top when we persuade, not punish, those with whom we disagree.

Discriminating against distinctly Christian ideas because of their morality is a failure to recognize that a code of ethics governs ALL expressed views. Divorcing morality from public policy is impossible. Thus, the issue becomes whose virtues we applaud and prioritize. Even the most secular adherents are often quite religious about their atheism! In doing so, nonreligious elites ironically insist on a separation between church and state for everyone but themselves.

Christians rightly understand that government is a gift from God established for the good and safety of society (Rom. 13:1-7). The kingdom of God, however, is not of this world (John 18:36), so the former has no jurisdiction over the latter. As salt and light (Matt. 5:13-16), followers of Jesus are to contend for the souls of men and women first (Matt. 28:19-20), followed by the welfare of the cities wherein they live (Jer. 29:7). We have every right to express our views concerning morality, legislation, and the people who lead us. The world would be even more frightening if we did not. Regardless of outcomes, we should rest knowing that the kingdom of our God will prevail over the kingdoms of this world (Rev. 11:15).

Adam B. Dooley
July 1, 2025

Jun 26
Love0

What Happens to Those Who Never Hear the Gospel?

By Evangelism, Gospel, MIssions, Uncategorized No Comments

What about the person in the deepest jungle who has never heard the name of Jesus? Or the man stranded on an island throughout the entirety of his life? I have been asked about similar scenarios more than once. Varying versions of these questions abound, but the heart behind each inquiry is the eternal destiny of those who never hear the gospel. If I may state the dilemma bluntly, do people who know nothing of Jesus and salvation spend an eternity in hell?

The simple answer is yes. But why?

Biblical Christians have long recognized that persons who reject Christ will face eternal judgment and condemnation. Some hesitate, however, at the mention of those who with no perceived opportunity to respond to God’s grace. For many, fairness seems to necessitate a redemptive invitation. Without it, some insist, the poor soul who genuinely desires to know God and worship Him will be unjustly anathematized.

The Bible paints a much different picture, though. The fictional person longing to know the true God if only someone would tell him simply does not exist. How do we know? Because Scripture reveals two forms of revelation that all people in all places reject. In other words, it is no mystery what the heathen will do with fullerrevelation when they repeatedly reject the basic revelation they already possess.

In what way do pagans resist the Lord? The Bible indicates that apart from their awareness of the gospel, unbelievers “suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Rom. 1:18). Creation bears witness not only of God’s reality, but also of His “eternal power” and “divine nature,” leaving all people without excuse (Rom. 1:20). Stated plainly, every ocean horizon, autumn mountainside, and daily sunset celebrates that God is real for anyone paying attention. Intrinsically, all people know this to be true, yet unbelievers reject it, nonetheless.

Despite the physical clues to the most important eternal truth, those without the gospel are not daydreaming about the opportunity to know who God is in order to worship Him. To the contrary, their futile speculations lead to darkened hearts (Rom. 1:21). Practically, this means that primitive humanity elevates creation above the Creator, worshipping what God made instead of God Himself (Rom. 1:23, 25). Idols carved from wood or crafted with gold litter history as evidence mankind’s common dismissal of the divine Author behind the cosmos.

More recently, the presentation of evolutionary theory as historical fact, though entirely unverifiable, is but the latest atheistic effort to elevate what was made above its Maker. As secularists scoff again and again over the veracity of the Genesis record, these supposed experts reveal the blindness of their hearts. Truly, professing to be wise, they become fools as the ignore the divine fingerprints that adorn nature (Rom. 1:22).

In addition to the beckoning of the universe, the internal conscience written on the heart of every human being is yet another refused witness to God’s existence. Those who never hear the gospel still possess a basic sense of right and wrong. Every culture and society condemns lying, stealing, murdering, etc., as unacceptable due to the common morality God placed within all people (Rom. 2:14).

Yet, time and time again, we do not find anyone who eagerly obeys the internal guidance within us. Quite the opposite, the reoccurring experience of men and women everywhere is the rejection of our inner decency and principles. Thus, on the day of judgment, our conscience will accuse or defend us as God judges the secrets of men through Jesus Christ (Rom. 2:15-16).

Granted, the general revelation of creation and our conscience do not divulge the breadth of Scripture’s specific revelatory claims, but the insistence that some people have no opportunity of any kind to respond to God is deceptively false. Furthermore, our overconfidence that those who never hear the gospel somehow desire to know God and sense a deficiency without Him reveals more about ourselves than our Savior. We are far too quick to dismiss our sinfulness and to call God’s holiness into question.

Some will push back, desperate to find an exception. What about the person who always obeys his conscience without exception and sincerely longs to worship his Creator as he observes creation? Will God allow THAT person into heaven if he never hears the gospel? If that person were real, the answer would be yes. But Scripture is thoroughly clear, THAT PERSON DOES NOT EXIST. The Lord would never turn those who are truly righteous away, but apart from His grace there are none righteous nor any who seek after God, not even one (Rom. 3:10-11).

No wonder Jesus instructed his followers, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matt. 28:19-20).” If salvation is possible apart from explicit faith in Christ through the proclamation of the gospel, these are the cruelest words recorded in the Bible. Sending missionaries is an act of hatred instead of an expression of love if salvation is attainable through ignorance.

But, if there is no other name under heaven by which men must be saved (Acts 4:12); and we must confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord, believing that God raised Him from the dead (Rom. 10:9), the greatest gift any Christian can share with another person is that Jesus saves! If those who live in ignorance cannot call on Jesus if they do not believe; and they cannot believe on Him if they have not heard; and they cannot hear unless someone who is sent shares (Rom. 10:14-15), we better get serious about sharing the gospel in every place, every day.

Adam B. Dooley
June 26, 2025

Jun 23
Love0

The Cloud that Surrounds Me

By Uncategorized No Comments

No one lives in a vacuum. Despite our occasional efforts to deny it, the people around us influence nearly every part of our lives for good or bad. Either you benefit from the nurture, example, and encouragement of those who speak into your life, or you suffer, stumble, and lament due to the absence of these things. A difficult past may not destroy you, but it will shape you. Likewise, the benefit of loving support will not guarantee a successful life, but it will certainly position you for it.

Hebrews 12:1-2 illustrates the value of benefitting from the experience of others: “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

These verses do not mean, as is often argued, that a group of saints cheer us on from the grandstands of heaven as they look down upon us. Instead, these words point to the testimonies of faithful believers that become examples to us about the right way to live. The application is not that these Christians are watching us now, but that our remembering them will inspire us for the days ahead. The characters listed in Hebrews 11 become a model of perseverance as we run our race of faith.

We should not conclude, however, that only Bible heroes influence us toward greater Christlikeness. Certainly, the context of Hebrews 12:1 refers specifically to the hall of faith listed in the previous chapter. Yet, many faithful Christ followers have finished their races since these words were written. With similar impact, their lives challenge us with the reality that finishing well is still possible. Allow me to mention two that helped me tremendously.

One of the unique realities of my childhood is that I met six of my eight great-grandparents. This wasn’t unusual to me at the time, but today I realize what a remarkable gift it was. My Papaw Taulbee fascinated me the most because he lost an arm in a hunting accident at a young age and, as a result, could do most anything with just one hand. Whenever we visited, I refused to leave his side, even if it meant enduring hours of snoring through the night.

The first lesson my papaw taught me was about the importance and permanence of marriage. He and my Mamaw remained married for 64 years until her death. I remember how much he loved her and how he cried when she died. He was never the same afterward. For him, marriage was a lifelong commitment that pictured Christ’s love for the church. I seldom read Ephesians 5:22-33 without recalling his example.

The second lesson he taught me was that words matter. What we say and how we say it impacts the people around us more than we know. I will never forget the day he pointed his cane at me and said, “That boy is special. I can’t put my finger on it, but God is going to use him in a great way.” Those assurances became an abiding motivation for me, helping me chart the course for the person I wanted to become because I did not want to disappoint the man who spoke them.

Another hero to me was my Granny Sue, who modeled the power and freedom of forgiveness to me in a powerful way. Though she was short in stature, this little woman was a fighter all her life. She overcame breast cancer 50 years ago and ran her own business out of her home. Her greatest challenge by far, however, was the pain caused by her divorce. After 23 years of marriage, my grandfather was unfaithful to her and their relationship ended. She never remarried, and though she moved on, the wound was always with her.

In 2005, decades after the separation, cancer returned to her lungs and it became obvious she would not overcome it. Though I only saw her and my grandfather in the same room once, I called to share the news with him and to make a bold request. I invited him to come to the hospital and ask for Granny Sue’s forgiveness. Admittedly, it shocked me when he agreed to do so. Even more amazing, however, was how my grandmother responded.

When I told her he was in the hallway, she sat up in her bed, began primping her hair, and then said with a smile, “If he is here to get me back, it’s too late for that!” I stepped out in the hall so they could visit, but unashamedly I eavesdropped every word. You could hear the pain in her voice as she asked, “Was I not a good wife? Why did you leave? How could you just walk away?”

My respect for my grandfather swelled as I heard him answer, “You did nothing wrong. I was the one who was wrong. Please forgive me.” Silence filled the room, only to be broken by the sweetest, most gracious words I have ever heard. My Granny Sue leaned forward, looking my grandfather in the eye, and said, “I forgive you. I’m glad you came.” Then, they talked, laughed, and healed. It was beautiful.

That day I learned that we are never more like Jesus than when we forgive. The deeper the wound we carry the more spectacular the grace we give. We need to give forgiveness as much as we sometimes need to receive forgiveness.

I’m thankful for these two heroes in my life. Who has helped your faith to grow?

Dr Adam B. Dooley
June 23, 2025

Jun 12
Love0

When Faith Becomes Sight?

By Eternity, Future, Heaven No Comments

To the world, she was Francis, but to us she was Nanny. I first met her when my wife and I were dating. After eating at her table for the first time I knew this was a family I wanted to be part of. Even better, though, was the example set by her and her husband. The two were married for 64 years, providing an inspirational path to a young couple trying to find their way. As my wife’s grandmother on her mother’s side, she passed on her gentleness and warmth to the woman I love. She quickly became like another grandparent to me.

A few days ago, Nanny stepped into eternity to meet the Savior she loved. Even in our sadness as a family, the thoughts of her faith becoming sight give us great joy. Though we grieve today, we do not do so as those who have no hope (1 Thess. 4:13). Both my wife and I live with the assurance that we will see her again.

But what will it be like when we do?

For some, discussions about eternity are no more than wishful thinking. Others imagine our forever abode as unappealing and boring. Mark Twain illustrated our hesitation through his fictional character Huck Finn, who thought heaven was a place where a person would “go around all day long with a harp and sing, forever and ever.”  No wonder one skeptic remarked, “I’d rather be in hell with my friends than in heaven with all the church people.”

But are these characterizations fair? Is eternity just a never-ending church service? Should we really look forward to life after grave? Thankfully, the caricatures of heaven found in popular culture do not align with the biblical vision of eternal life. So, what can we expect in the land beyond the blue?

Heaven is a physical place. The Bible refers to heaven as both a country and a city. The description is appropriate because Romans 8:19-23 indicates that the created cosmos will one day be redeemed along with born again believers. The Apostle John describes the heavenly Jerusalem descending from heaven in order to function as the capital city of God’s kingdom (Rev. 21:2). The dimensions of this central municipality reveal its massive presence. With a length, width, and height of 1500 miles, a city this size would stretch from Canada all the way to Mexico, having the potential for over 600,000 stories rising into the air. Descriptions of heaven’s foundation, streets, and gates also underscore its physicality.

We will have physical bodies in heaven. Since Jesus is preparing a material home for our dwelling (John 14:1-6), it is no surprise that Scripture also teaches that we will have physical bodies once we arrive there. Just as God gives bodies to beasts, planets, the sun, moon, and stars (1 Cor. 15:39-41), we, too, can expect eternal bodies that will never die in the place called heaven (1 Cor. 15:42-44).

Still not convinced? The Apostle Paul maintains an inextricable link between the past resurrection of Christ and the future resurrection of saints (1 Cor. 15:12). Stated, differently, if there is no future resurrection of the dead, we have no assurance whatsoever that Jesus Christ was physically raised from the dead either (1 Cor. 15:13-17). Praise God that death is swallowed up in victory (1 Cor. 15:54)!

Continuity exists between this life and the next. Perhaps the greatest insight into our eternal paradise is the Garden of Eden. Though Adam and Eve chose to disobey God, His plan for them was eternal life where they would oversee and care for all of creation (Gen. 1:28). After the Fall, God drove them out of the Garden, but the rest of the Bible depicts His efforts to reclaim and restore all that was lost due to sin. Like a bookend to the story, the concluding chapters of the Bible (Rev. 21-22) celebrate the victorious redemption God will provide. But can you imagine the kind of world Adam and Eve could have built had they never died? Or if sin never hindered them?

Despite humanity’s fallenness, we currently enjoy technological and sociological advancements. Food, laughter, joy, and entertainment are blessings to our world even though we are not experiencing God’s original design for our existence. If these pleasures are still available now, can you even imagine all that God has planned for eternity? Think of heaven as thriving society where we continue to enjoy parks, theatres, museums, restaurants, concerts, parades, libraries, etc.

Seem far-fetched? Just ask yourself what kind of world Adam and Eve could have built had they never died? What contributions will we be able to make to the progress of history if the grim reaper never knocks on our door? How much music could Beethoven create? How many plays could Shakespeare write? How many inventions could Edison create? What if the greatest athletes never retired? What if history’s greatest performers could entertain us forever? What if you never had to say goodbye to your loved ones? What if our Nanny could still prepare a feast every Sunday afternoon? Simply put, what could we all accomplish if we lived forever?

The greatest reality of heaven, though, is that God will be there. Just as God walked with Adam and Even in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:8), He will be among us again in our eternal home (Rev. 21:3). We will see His face (Rev. 22:3-4) and the glory of Christ will illuminate that city. Once again, we will know eternal life and we will enjoy our God forever.

Adam B. Dooley
June 12, 2025

Jun 04
Love0

Are All Sins Really the Same?

By Christian Living, Faithfulness, Sanctification, Sin, Truth, Uncategorized No Comments

All sins are the same.
Sin is sin.
No single act of disobedience is any worse than another in God’s eyes.

Chances are you’ve heard statements like these repeated by sincere believers and cynics alike. The faithful sometimes parrot these words to avoid sounding judgmental or harsh while discussing wrongdoing. Critics of Christianity, too, will champion notions of equal offense as they mock any efforts to warn about the dangers of particular sins.

But is the premise behind these declarations true? Are all sins equally obnoxious to God? Is gluttony just as offensive to the Lord as adultery? Should we really equate speeding on the highway with taking the life of another person? Is a stolen piece of bubblegum just as damning as the pilfered lifesavings taken from an elderly person?

Well, it depends.

In one sense, a single sin of any kind relationally separates us from our Creator. Each act of disobedience falls short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). Every person is by nature a sinner who is not righteous, does not seek God, and is incapable of good (Rom. 3:10-12).

As result, apart from grace, we stand before the Lord condemned, dead in our sins as children of wrath (Eph. 2:1-3), resulting in eternal death (Rom. 6:23). Any sin, whether great or small, leaves every human being without excuse or defense in the presence of a holy God (Rom. 5:12). We minimize the gravity of our shortcomings to our peril.

In another sense, however, the Bible clearly teaches that there are categories of sinfulness which bring varying levels of consequence, both temporally and eternally. Though every sin offends the righteousness of God, all sins are not equally egregious to the Lord. Some transgressions, for instance, can lead to physical death while others do not (1 John 5:16-17). The degree of the offense is key.

Few would dispute that God hates all sin, yet Scripture reveals seven specific actions that are uniquely wicked in His eyes (Prov. 6:16-19). While describing Judas Iscariot to Pontius Pilate, Jesus made this principled distinction, “He who delivered Me to you has the greater sin (John 19:11).” Clearly, God not only delineates between right and wrong, but also between wrong and more wrong.

Sexual sin, for example, is especially objectionable because, unlike other trespasses, it wreaks havoc against our physical bodies and well-being (1 Cor. 6:18). God does not say, “flee immorality” because He resents our physical pleasures, but due to His desire to protect us from psychological trauma and physiological harm. Defiling the marriage bed destroys many conjugal unions before they ever get started (Heb. 13:4). Severe consequences like these reveal the seriousness of fornication and God’s judgment of it.

Likewise, homosexuality represents an increased level of carnality because its indecent acts are contrary to God’s design of nature itself. Scripture describes same sex unions as dishonorable, degrading, unnatural, indecent, depraved, and improper (Rom. 1:26-27). Lest you think I’m overstating it, the homosexual perversion of Sodom and Gomorrah led to its destruction (Gen. 19). As the Lord looked upon their wickedness, He declared, “The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave (Gen. 18:20).” Clearly, these behaviors were not like other shortcomings.

Though some erroneously insist that the real problem in Sodom and Gomorrah was a lack of hospitality, such an assertion contradicts the clear witness of Scripture. Jude described the citizens in Sodom as those who “indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh,” making them worthy of eternal fire (Jude 7). The Apostle Peter explicitly stated that God condemned these cities due to their “sensual conduct” in order to make “them an example of those who would live ungodly lives thereafter (2 Peter 2:6-7).” In other words, increased obscenity kindles the wrath of God differently than other sins.

Even worse than these sexual proclivities, though, is the repeated aversion to and ignoring of truth. The more God reveals Himself to us, the greater offense we cause by resisting Him. When Jesus spoke of the cities who rejected the apostles, He measured their condemnation by saying, “Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city (Matt 10:15).”

You read that correctly. The perversion of Sodom was less offensive to Jesus than the rejection of His gospel message. The same warning appeared in Luke’s account when Jesus chastised Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for dismissing the miracles in their midst. Vile and wicked cities like Sidon and Tyre will fare better in the judgment than these places that had access to truth but trampled it under foot (Luke 10:10-16). The latter offense is greater than the former.

Simply put, increased revelation equals increased accountability. Though the witnesses of creation (Rom. 1:18-20) and our conscience (Rom. 2:14-16) are enough to send us to hell apart from the cross of Jesus, dismissing or misrepresenting the fuller revelation of Scripture brings additional judgment and consequence. No wonder Jesus warned about the severity of making children stumble in their faith (Matt. 18:6). Similarly, James cautions that not many should desire to be teachers of biblical truth because it invites stricter evaluation (James 3:1).

Some sins are indeed worse than others, but that does give us an excuse to justify ANY sin in our lives. None of us will stand before the Lord and point to the misdeeds of others in order to cover the wrongs we have done. Thank God that the blood of Jesus can cleanse us from every stain, great or small!

Adam B. Dooley
June 4, 2025

May 29
Love0

The Proud Lies We Tell

By Homosexuality No Comments

The best lies always have an element of truth in them. At no time is that more apparent than every June when Hollywood and corporate America join hands for Pride Month. Admittedly, the movement seems to have lost a bit of steam as more and more of society continues to wake up to the damaging confusion and chaos caused by embracing the LGBTQ+ doctrine.

As a Christian and pastor, though, my greater concern is the constant effort to normalize homosexual behavior in the faith community. Despite the church’s uniform rejection of same sex relationships since its inception over 2000 years ago, many today falsely boast that monogamous gay relationships and Christianity are somehow compatible. In recent years, entire denominations have been swept away by these cultural pressures and deceptions. At least three lies have become commonplace.

One of the most common lies you might hear this month is that homosexuality wasn’t even mentioned in the Bible until 1946 with the publication of the Revised Standard Version of Scripture. The premise is that a mistranslation of 1 Corinthians 6:9 is the source of unwarranted dismissal and discrimination of the gay lifestyle. Obviously, the implication is that Christianity’s rejection of homosexuality is a recent development requiring correction.

But is that true? Through a logical sleight of hand, LGBTQ+ supporters falsely equate the absence of a single word with the absence of a concept. Because Scripture translates from Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic to English, the evolution of the English language is irrelevant when identifying conceptual realities. Both same sex activities and desire are repeatedly forbidden throughout the Bible, under Old Testament Law (Lev. 18:22, 20:13) and in the New Testament (Rom. 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 6:9; 1 Tim. 1:10).

Did you know, similarly, that the word “sex” does not appear in the Bible either. Yet, no one attempts to argue that the concept does not surface frequently. When the book of Genesis, for example, says that Adam knew his wife Eve and she conceived, none of us are left wondering exactly what that means.

Interestingly, the book of Leviticus uses the same euphemism to denounce homosexuality when it states, “If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act. (Lev. 20:13).” Granted, the text is void of our modern descriptions, but are we really confused about its meaning? Likewise, the New Testament just as forcefully reprimands men who commit what it calls detestable acts because they burn in lust for one another (Rom. 1:26-27). No honest reading can deny that these are instructions forbidding same sex relationships. The recent adoption of the word “homosexuality” to describe gay activities in no way eliminates its prior sinfulness.

Another familiar lie often repeated this time of year is that condemnations of homosexuality in the Bible focus exclusively on abusive acts or excesses and, therefore, do not eliminate committed, monogamous relationships between same sex partners. The argument here is that biblical authors knew nothing of sexual orientation, what some define as consistent gay attractions that form one’s identity. Thus, says this rationale, the restrictions of Scripture should not be viewed as a blanket dismissal of queer lifestyles, but isolated acts instead. By creating a new category of existence, PRIDE advocates recklessly allege that the Bible is silent about these matters.

What they overlook, though, is that God’s Word has much to say about deviant desires, or the equivalent of orientations, which are never divorced from the behaviors they produce. Peter warned that mockers of the faith would be driven by their lusts (2 Pet. 3:3). Paul defined the provisions of the flesh, such as sexual promiscuity and sensuality, as expressions of fleshly ambition (Rom. 13:13-14). He also admitted that many of our longings war against the Spirit of God and that doing what we please is often egregious (Gal. 5:16-17). I could go on, but you get the point.

The notion that the persisting nature of a sinful desire (orientation) makes it more acceptable is both misguided and deceptive. All Christians struggle with nagging temptations rooted in unholy desires, but the solution is their abandonment, not their approval. Claiming a sustained propensity for adultery does not make the devaluation of marriage more respectable (Matt. 5:31-32). Orienting as a habitual thief does not justify taking what is not yours (Eph. 4:28). And struggling with same sex attraction (what Paul identifies as degrading passions) does not merit actions that are contrary to nature itself (Rom. 1:26-27).

Still another easily debunked rehearsed lie is that Jesus never addressed the subject of homosexuality. Aside from the fact that silence on any practice does not equal its endorsement, this assertion erroneously implies that Jesus’ words carry more weight than the rest of Scripture (a view the Savior Himself did not hold). Christ promised to fulfill every word of the Law and Prophets, not dismiss them.

In addition, Jesus frequently quoted the Old Testament as authoritative. On one occasion, while addressing divorce and remarriage, He affirmed that there are two genders and that marriage is a permanent covenant between a man and a woman (Matt. 19:4-6). His source was the book of Genesis, revealing His broader worldview, which leaves absolutely no room for the legitimacy of homosexual marriage. Speaking primarily to Jewish audiences, there was no need for our Lord to reiterate what they already knew.

While it is true that our Savior did not directly confront every practice, His indirect affirmations leave no doubt about where He stood on matters of human sexuality. Jesus never spoke about incest, bestiality, or sexual abuse either, but His rejection of these sensual aberrations is not the subject of debate. Likewise, our Lord never condemned slavery or abortion, yet no groups arguing His endorsement of these practices are taken seriously.

Grown adults are free to choose how they live their lives. We do not have the liberty, however, to identify that which is so thoroughly outside the boundaries of Scripture as an expression of Christian orthodoxy. Christ calls us to come out of our sin, not to celebrate it.

Adam B. Dooley
May 29, 2025

May 20
Love0

Who Says You Cannot Go Home Again?

By Uncategorized No Comments

Recently, I had the special opportunity of returning to my home church in Berea, Kentucky for homecoming services. If the nostalgia of seeing people from my childhood wasn’t enough, the church was also celebrating their new pastor, my pastor, who has returned to lead them after being away for 25 years.

As I stood to preach, the atmosphere was electric, and the joy was palpable. My love for this congregation is not only tied to memories from my teenage years, but also their instrumental role in helping me discern a call to ministry. This was the place where my love for Jesus grew and my commitment to preaching the whole Bible without apology was born. Standing behind the pulpit where it all began reminded me of both the privilege and responsibility of teaching the Word of God.

Much has changed since those early days. Preaching sermons from the Bible may be more difficult than it has ever been. We live in an age of soundbites where fewer and fewer people are willing to digest biblical truth. A YouTube generation has grown accustomed to messages that are three minutes or less. Added to these prevailing trends is growing distrust for any kind of authority and the overall resentment that many feel towards truth that is confrontational or convicting.

Yet, our modern tendencies neither disprove the truthfulness of Scripture nor diminish its veracity in our lives. To the contrary, the Bible accurately predicted a time when most would not endure sound doctrine but would accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their sinful desires, wanting to have their ears tickled (2 Tim. 4:3). The foolishness of our day is equal to myth, largely because so many have turned their ears away from the truth (2 Tim. 4:4). Yet, in this climate, the apostle Paul’s final admonition to his protégé Timothy is to preach the word in season and out of season, knowing that God watches and hears every message His ministers proclaim (2 Tim. 4:1-2).

 The implications for those who proclaim God’s truth are far reaching. Pastors must work hard so as not to be ashamed, but workmen who accurately handle the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). The sacred accountability of preaching surfaces in James’ warning that not many should desire to be teachers of Scripture, knowing that doing so invites a stricter judgment (James 3:1). Even when the preached message invites criticism or contempt, the most important audience of every sermon in every place is God Himself.

Thus, any pastor worthy of his calling will do the hard work of studying to understand the Bible. He will proclaim what God says unapologetically whether it is popular or not. Rather than conform to the culture, he is to confront it with truth. Impressing people or drawing attention to himself is a violation of the sacred privilege bestowed upon him. Teaching book-by-book, chapter-by-chapter, and verse-by-verse, he is to reprove, rebuke, and exhort with great patience and instruction (2 Tim. 4:2). Every pastor will answer to God for his willingness to proclaim the whole counsel of Scripture (Acts 20:27).

But what about those who hear sermons? Though a good sermon begins in the pastor’s office, it does not become a reality until it hits the pew. Just as preachers will one day answer to God for what they preach, listeners will also give an account for how they hear and respond to the message.

Hebrews 13:7 instructs, “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.” In the context of the local church, the writer of Hebrews also encourages, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.”

In general, the Bible is saying that Christians can do their part by being joyful rather than contentious, always eager to yield to the Word. Preparing your heart to hear a good sermon is just as important as the pastor’s work to write it. These practical steps will greatly enhance your Sunday morning experience at church:

  • Pray for your pastor throughout the week as he studies.
  • Get a good night’s rest on Saturday night so that you are alert the next morning.
  • Pray that God will open your heart to what He wants to say through the preached word.
  • Take notes while you listen. This will help you to stay engaged throughout the message while also enabling you to recall it later. The weakest ink is better than the strongest memory.
  • If you hear something in the message you don’t like, refuse to take it personally. Ask, 1) is it biblical? and 2) am I wrong?
  • Remember, if you feel challenged, comforted, corrected, or even rebuked, that is GOOD! These signs are evidence that the Holy Spirit is working in your life.
  • Formulate at least one action step to help you respond to every sermon.
  • Thank God for the spiritual leaders He puts in your life.

The point behind guidelines like these is that God values the preaching of the Bible and so should we. The Lord’s eyes are upon us all, watching how congregants receive the substance the pastors deliver. You won’t remember every sermon you hear, but just like the many meals you’ve long forgotten, the preached Word will nourish your soul in ways seen and unseen.

Adam B. Dooley
May 20, 2025

May 14
Love0

Learning From Our Graduates

By Uncategorized No Comments

One of the joys of pastoring is celebrating the milestone achievements of the people you serve and love. Over the previous few weeks, I have had the distinct joy of attending numerous graduations, from kindergarten to college, marking the significance of a completed goal. While people of any age can, and do, pursue their betterment through education, typically most graduates are budding teenagers or ambitious young adults.

With the backdrop of this youthful vigor, I’d like to offer a few important life lessons for the young and old alike. Born out of the collective insights of history’s wisest man, these reminders have stood the test of time for all generations. Near the end of his life, King Solomon offered this sage counsel for our benefit.

Life without God is pointless. “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no delight in them (Ecc. 12:1).”” These words serve as a helpful reminder that the greatest opportunity under the sun is knowing God personally. By emphasizing the necessity of paying attention to your Maker early, Solomon exposes the improbability of our growing less instead of more cynical as we age.

By listing the traumas of old age (Ecc. 12:3-7), Israel’s most successful king prioritizes giving God the best years of our lives. The premise here is not that children and teenagers love the Lord more than adults. Instead, the clear point is that refusing to live for your Creator when you are young makes it much less likely that you will do so as you grow old. Refusing to acknowledge God leads to great regret and an unhealthy obsession with the perils of aging.

This principle runs contrary to our modern live and let live fixation which lauds sowing our wild oats before moving into adulthood. Giving God the best years of our existence opens the door for fulfillment and blessings. Waiting to honor and worship Him, though, subjects us to much heartache and lament as we mature, largely because doing so shows contempt for the Lord’s holiness and majesty.

Years ago, I heard a sobering testimony of a teenage girl who admitted her desire to live for herself and worldly pleasures until she grew old, at which time she would give herself fully to Jesus. Upon hearing these words, sensing an opportunity, an aged Christian woman sent her a box of wilted flowers.

She later explained to the girl, “I cut the flowers on Monday of this week, and they were so beautiful. By week’s end, when they wilted and were ready to die, I thought of you. Young lady, that is exactly what you’re doing to God. You are saying that you will enjoy the young flower of your life, but when your life is old and wilted you will give it to the Lord.” No wonder the Bible instructs us to remember God in the days of our youth.

Wisdom without revelation is foolish. Because one graduation often leads to another, understanding the true source of wisdom is crucial. By describing his efforts to capture God’s directives in writing, Solomon reveals both the nature and value of Scripture. As king, he sought to share truth through proverbs by pondering persuasive words and their careful arrangement, with the goal of presenting reality correctly (Ecc. 12:9-10).

These human efforts should not dissuade us from the divine inspiration of the Bible, though, because the collections of Scripture are all given by one Shepherd, namely the Lord Himself (Ecc. 12:11). In other words, God chose to reveal truth through the human instruments of prophets, kings, and apostles as the Holy Spirit moved them (1 Pet. 1:20-21).

Consequently, the Bible is more important than any book in history. In my personal library are textbooks for world civilization, calculus, biology, psychology, English, and writing, all of which are now outdated due to numerous additions and revisions. Yet, God’s Word has not and will not change because it will endure forever (Isa. 40:8). Though education is immensely valuable, real wisdom comes through the timeless revelation of God rather than the books of men.

Hope without obedience is dangerous. With the aforementioned lessons in mind, the necessary emphasis on obedience emerges. If I may borrow Solomon’s words directly, “fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person (Ecc. 12:13).” The idea is simply showing reverence for the Lord by how you live. While good works are not the source of our redemption, they are the evidence for it (James 2:20). Life change does not contradict salvation by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-9); it demonstrates its reality (Eph. 2:10).

Reassuring ourselves of eternal salvation while simultaneously rejecting the straightforward commands and unmistakable priorities of Scripture is a recipe for eternal disaster. Because every good tree bears good fruit, Jesus not only emphasized knowing others by their fruits, but He also warned that many will falsely assume their entrance into His eternal kingdom (Matt. 7:17-21). Hoping in a salvation of our own making is dangerous because it just isn’t real.

So, let’s give attention our Creator NOW, whether we be young or old. Let’s heed the words of Scripture NOW, measuring other resources against its timeless truths. And let’s prioritize obedience NOW, knowing that real faith manifests itself through demonstrable change.

Adam B. Dooley
May 14, 2025

May 08
Love0

Living a Blessed Life

By Uncategorized No Comments

Located just 500 miles northeast of Vancouver, the Fraser River in British Columbia divides into two streams. One flows eastward to the Atlantic Ocean. The other runs westward to the Pacific Ocean. Dubbed as the Great Divide, just six inches after the fork in the river, each new conduit is unchangeably fixed.

So it is in life. Along the way there are certain decisions that have the power to forever alter our course. Psalm 1 presents such a scenario as we consider two very different ways to live. The psalmist contrasts the known, steady path that leads to eternal life with the enticing, wicked path that promises much while delivering little.

The word “blessed” speaks of one’s condition before the Lord. Perhaps you recall that Jesus chose the same concept to introduce each of the beatitudes in His Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:1-12). Some Bible translations reduce the notion to “happiness.” While the term is not less than our personal gladness, it encompasses much more. To be “blessed” references the joy and peace God’s favor and approval brings to our lives. Numerous feelings often accompany these blessings, but they are not limited by our emotions or the lack thereof. A Christian can live knowing that God’s blessings are upon his life.

But how?

What is the key to unlocking the assurance that we live with God’s favor? Thankfully, Psalm 1 speaks both negatively and positively in order to guide us. The former outlines what we must not do in order to enjoy God’s favor while the latter emphasizes what we must do to live a blessed life.

So, what are we to avoid? First, the psalmist reveals that we must not walk in the counsel of the wicked (Psa. 1:1a). The lesson here is about influence. Because there is a thin line between reaching the world and becoming like the world, believers must be selective about who speaks into their lives. Far too many Christians naively crack the door to a host of wicked influences.

We daydream about the celebrity lifestyle. We laugh at blasphemous jokes. We seek out the popular rather than the principled. We entertain ourselves with movies and series that mock God. Then, before we know it, we are walking according to the rhythm of the world without noticing. With hearts that are slowly dulled, we begin to drift away from the Lord.

Second, we must not stand in the path of sinners (Psa. 1:1b). The image of a “path” communicates one’s lifestyle. Notice the progression. When we cede influence to those who are carnal, sooner or later we join their ranks. Consequently, we normalize sinful habits. We justify and promote carnality. We begin to prize feelings over the truth of God’s Word. We might even celebrate our compromised faith as a new path forward in a modern world. Far too many take their stand for all the wrong things.

No matter the spin put on it, deconstructing the faith is no different than abandoning the faith. A blessed man, though, sees through all the rhetoric and propaganda, refusing to be driven by the wayward impulses of the world. He guards his life and testimony, declining to stand where God would not.

Third, we should not sit in the seat of scoffers (Psa. 1:1c). These are those who mock the God of Scripture and anyone who dares to follow Him. Again, we can easily see the hateful continuity. Once we begin to live like the wicked, soon, we are so comfortable that we openly chide the faithful. Scoffers dismiss biblical Christianity as fanatical, label clear doctrine as narrow and bigoted, and dismiss supernatural acts as uneducated and unscientific. The blessed Christian will avoid hecklers like these. He is uncomfortable sitting by idly while detractors belittle his faith, blaspheme his God, and ridicule his church family.

Now, moving to the positive, what must we do to invite God’s favor? The psalmist’s instruction is twofold. Our chief commitment is to love God’s law (Psa. 1:2a). While the term “law” can refer to the first five books of the Bible, here it references all of Scripture. We are told to cherish the Word by making it our greatest delight. Reading the Bible must not be a drudgery for serious believers.

Next, we should meditate day and night upon what the Bible says (Psa. 1:2b). Contrary to Eastern mysticism which prioritizes emptying your mind in order to meditate, the biblical emphasis is just the opposite. We are to fill our thoughts with Scripture, pondering what it means, contemplating its application, and hiding it in our hearts. Resisting the influence of hell requires submitting the directives of God’s Word.

Only one man ever lived up to these priorities perfectly. Thus, if we choose to embrace these ideals, we must do so in the righteousness of Jesus alone. With God’s Son as our Savior, we are free to resist sin and embrace Scripture without fear of failure. We do so with gratitude for salvation, not in the pursuit of earning our redemption.

And what is the result of these commitments? You “will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers (Psa. 1:3).” In other words, God will bless your life more than you can ever imagine.

Adam B. Dooley
May 8, 2025

Close Menu