To worship with the gathered church is to be in the heavenly temple in the presence of God. To be a Christian is to be part of the body. Walking wounded, smeared in her own sin, and riven with division: it is the Church.   For all the philosophers and critics say we are ‘expressive... Continue Reading

In a very real sense, when we sin, we repeat the fall of Adam and Eve and the nation of Israel. The story always remained the same. It wasn’t until the coming of Christ that the pattern was broken. Though he was tempted just like Adam and Eve and the nation of Israel, he remained... Continue Reading

As promised, Eve’s offspring—Jesus Christ—is now bringing to an end the long reign of sin and death in the world. God and humankind are being reconciled.   My mother was in her sixties when she entered the cancer hospice. That was bad enough. But there were younger people there too. I remember one young mother... Continue Reading

Owen viewed these particulars as the “ways and means whereby a soul may proved to the mortification of any particular lust and sin…” Since none of these particulars can be accomplished without the Spirit, Owen viewed them as the means by which the Spirit works upon the heart of the believer to accomplish mortification.  ... Continue Reading

Burton outlines three new religious movements vying for dominance, none of which would call itself a religion but at least two of which are widely described in religious terms.   The book takes us on a journalistic tour of some examples of “pick & mix” religion before describing three movements that Burton describes as religions.... Continue Reading

When we have seen the privileges that are already ours, we have every reason to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and persevere in penitential faith until that which is now ours in part becomes ours in whole and forever.   The letter to the Hebrews, as our studies throughout the year have shown, is full... Continue Reading

Christ-centered hope grounds us and keeps us from drifting into the lie that our own efforts will result in a reward for success—or punishment for failure. Jesus has already borne our punishment and he gives us his very life. That’s not a gamble, but a sure thing.   I’m not sure I fully understand the... Continue Reading

If we don’t seek to know the personality and temperaments of our opponents, we will run the risk of dealing with everyone monolithically. This will only further the heat and the contentions that brew on account of either real or perceived, serious or minor, differences.   We love the idea of diversity, until it cuts... Continue Reading

By 1999 Zondervan, IBS, and the CBT were back at it. After pledging just two years earlier “to discontinue all plans to develop a new, gender-neutral version of the NIV,” they hinted at a new “rendition” that would be gender-neutral.    In early 1997 a call came to the Olasky home with a tip: The... Continue Reading

As our society recognises harmful versions of masculinity, it’s good to be reminded that God is also in opposition. God does not condone sinful anger, and neither should the church.    One of the few heresies today is to suggest that there are many if any differences between men and women. We are even at... Continue Reading