If you react in the short term by canceling your holiday plans because of who your relatives voted for, that reaction probably won’t send the message that you hope it will. The message will most likely come across as arrogant, dismissive, closed-minded, disrespectful, or all of the above.   Increasingly, you might find yourself in... Continue Reading

How does faith and philosophy relate to one another? How does theology and science correlate? How do all these supposed binaries fit into the Christian life? For Bavinck, there is an organic unity because grace in Christ unites both common and special grace.    Herman Bavinck argued for a doctrine called common grace to explain why... Continue Reading

There’s going to be much more to Heaven, but not less than praising the Lord for all eternity. It’s pretty clear in the Bible that we’ll have physical bodies in the New Earth, and eternity will look similar to life now, yet unaffected by sin, decay, and death. But we will be worshiping God with... Continue Reading

For those who have dealt with manifestations of Christian perfectionism, Chang has done a beautiful thing. In reading her personal experiences, her reflections on the writing of others, and her rich meditations on God’s character from his word, you will be deeply encouraged by how you are both loved and delighted in by your God. ... Continue Reading

Evaluate who you are trusting today. Are you trusting in mankind…even your own ability and its meager strength? Here is a way to discern that with one question: How much do you listen to Him through prayer and His Word?   God is perfect in His mercy and grace but also perfect in His judgment.... Continue Reading

A focus on entertainment might get people to come to your youth ministry. But, in the end, we cannot out-entertain the world. We will also set the kids up to look for entertainment as the main measure of what church is rather than help them have a hunger for the word of God above all.... Continue Reading

Joy can be our resistance to the culture of death all around us. Joy refuses to look at unborn children, an aged great-grandmother, and the uncultivated prairie meadow as problems to be solved. Rather, people who live in a culture of joy can receive them as gifts because they can see the Giver—and his Goodness—in them.  ... Continue Reading

If you won’t give thanks to God for all the goodness he bestows on you, you’ll seek goodness and blessing elsewhere, in created things. You will become a worshiper of idols. Little, then, could be more important in life than cultivating gratitude and thankfulness to God for his many blessings, the blessings of salvation and of... Continue Reading

These dissenting Christians had separated from the Church of England and were living in exile in Leyden, Amsterdam, and  Plymouth Plantation so they could practice their doctrine as congregational churches with each church bound by its covenant.   Introduction The church at Leyden was the mother church for the Pilgrim congregation in Plymouth Plantation in... Continue Reading

As sinners, we cannot satisfy God’s wrath or fully pay for our sins no matter what we do or how long we do it. Furthermore, even if we tried, we would keep on sinning while seeking to fully pay for our sins. An endless loop of sin and punishment would ensue. As a result, a... Continue Reading