Welcome to my personal Christian mission: Grow In Christ!
 

This site is an expression of my continually-developing faith in Jesus Christ. It records the results of my personal struggles to understand and live by the genuine and active faith I know God intends for me to have. I also hope that my research into Biblical matters will aid others who are seeking a deeper, more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
 

The Holy Spirit’s influence in the process of interpreting Scripture is frequently diminished by the well-intentioned, idolized teachings of well-known denominational and non-Christian personalities. It is not my intention to use this website to promote a particular denominational view. In fact, the conflicting views of various denominations on such basic and essential topics as salvation became a stumbling block to me in the past. For many years, I abandoned the Christian faith, living instead as an agnostic.

Fortunately, God eventually restored my faith in Christ. The Scripture now speaks to my heart and mind with a clarity that was formerly missing.
 

God’s Holy Spirit is behind every word in the Scriptures. And, this same Holy Spirit resides within every Christian. Therefore, I fervently believe that if people are willing to strive to put their previous understandings of Christianity behind them and allow the Holy Spirit to guide their understanding of the Bible, they will generally be unified in their Christian views.
 

It seems to me that responses (both positive and negative) to the content of my articles are often driven by immersion in denominational and societal viewpoints rather than by a desire to carefully examine the articles purely in light of the entirety of Scripture. Such easy acceptance of taught ideas is something against which I must also guard.

Hence, “Grow In Christ” is intended to aid, not replace, personal Bible study. I urge you to constantly scrutinize my words in light of those found in the Holy Scriptures. I pray that my opinions will never obscure what God has to say, through His Spirit, directly to your heart and mind.
 

My sincere hope is that this website is God’s work through me. But, I am merely human. I can not tell you God’s specific plan for your life; each person has been provided unique gifts and talents (spiritual and otherwise). However, I can share with you how the Scriptures have helped me to find meaning in my life. I do not claim to hold the perfect view on all matters of Biblical interpretation. But, I can express to you why I rest securely in the knowledge of my salvation. I do not have absolute scientific proof of God’s existence. Yet, I can provide testimonies revealing how Christ has worked in the lives of people.

I hope that “Grow in Christ” is a blessing to you. I would really like to know if “Grow in Christ” blesses you in some way. Comments and questions are always welcome.

May God receive the honor, praise, and glory!

Jim Rodenbeck