These blogs share the personal opinions of Pastor Jack Marslender on a variety of topics. They are not necessarily the opinion of the church as a whole. In Baptist life, a pastor does not have the authority to speak for the entire church. This blog is an updated version of a blog...
What Did I Learn from the Government Shutdown?
These blogs share the personal opinions of Pastor Jack Marslender on a variety of topics. They are not necessarily the opinion of the church as a whole. In Baptist life, a pastor does not have the authority to speak for the entire church. The government shutdown is over, but—at least for me—it...
An Urgent Open Letter to the United States Congress
To our Honorable Congressional Representatives and Senators, Please stop playing the “blame game.” Right now, parts of our government are “shut down” because of your inability to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government. Both of our two major political parties are publicly blaming the other party and are...
Does the Bible Speak to Vaccine Mandates?
Are vaccine mandates Biblically acceptable? Let me start with the obvious. The Bible does not mention vaccines. They did not exist in either Old or New Testament times, so there is no direct Biblical command to use them or to refrain from using them. So instead of trying to find...
Faith and Science: How do we reconcile them?
I start this blog with a bold statement: There is no conflict between the Bible and science. Let me explain that further so that you will understand a Biblical and Christian way to look at both the Bible and science. (Of course, if you disagree with me as some do,...
An Open Letter to President Trump and the Nations of America and Israel
I am not an antisemite. I want that to be clear. In today’s climate, it seems that anyone who suggests that Israel should do something or stop doing something is called an antisemite. I am calling on Israel to do something, but I’m speaking in the same spirit as I...
The Supreme Court and the Church
The Supreme Court this week overturned a long-standing rule on religious freedom that will have a major impact on the way some pastors and some churches do their work. It won’t change even to the slightest degree how I preach or teach. Here are the details: Previously, according to an...
Let’s Make America Good!
Happy Birthday, America! We are celebrating 249 years this week, and I wish you many more. I love our nation. But I still have something I want to say . . . that as a pastor I need to say. Our President wants to make America great. His slogan—Make America...
A Culture of Violence
The essential question for believers when thinking about any issue is always, “What does the Bible say?” It matters little what politicians, leaders, or celebrities say. My goal as a preacher and Bible teacher is to search the Word to find truth and then to explain it and apply it...
What Does the Bible Say about Immigration?
I’ve lived in a border state for most of my life, so I’ve heard much about legal and illegal immigration and the border. I’ve heard so much that I am confident that I could eloquently tell you the Republican position, the Democratic position, the President’s position, and the Governor’s position....