How in the world do we know if what we are discerning is a true call? Is it only an invitation by a second party, or is it the individual’s initiative? The missionary call seems to be both an individual/subjective conviction and a corporate/objective confirmation.   We often overlook and/or misunderstand the New Testament model.... Continue Reading

A heart apart from God’s grace is desperately wicked but doesn’t know it. A heart touched by God’s grace might still slip into wickedness, yes, but it will knowingly turn in repentance and faith in God and find cleansing in His grace.   Malcom Muggeridge famously observed that “the depravity of man is at once... Continue Reading

God is intimately involved in all aspects of the universe.  Even with something as trivial as flipping a coin, or casting lots, the outcome is determined and controlled by God (Proverbs 16:33).  The normal operation of the universe is not by its own power, but is by God’s power.  Therefore, in the Christian worldview, “natural”... Continue Reading

Now more than ever, as our society suddenly dispenses with arguments they have used to defend the killing of pre-born children for half a century, we should challenge our culture to live up to the principles they are currently appealing to.   Abortion supporters have many arguments they utilize to defend feticide, ranging from difficult... Continue Reading

Charles Spurgeon, arguably the greatest preacher of the past 300 years, famously said, “It is a long time since I preached a sermon that I was satisfied with. I scarcely recollect ever having done so.” And this guy was called “The Prince Of Preachers”! If Spurgeon found himself unsatisfied with his sermons, it’s safe to... Continue Reading

The social gospel becomes a big problem when it turns into a socialist gospel, including a push to grow the national government. Local Christian efforts that deal with problems otherwise left to government have the potential to shrink government by showing that private groups can do a better job.   When I taught classes on... Continue Reading

God must sometimes cast us into a sick bed—into the absolute immobility of the fetal position—where we groan and writhe and pray and plot and plan and connive and capitulate, over and over again, until—at long last—the dreadful fever to justify ourselves finally breaks, and the compulsion to win God’s love through our own good... Continue Reading

In order to examine the rationality of the present “cancel culture,” suppose the first impulse to bid Edwards farewell remained as the unvarnished desire and, thus, something we would attempt to do. What would the advice be in such an instance? Stop reading Jonathan Edwards? Ignore any Edwardsean influence in American culture or evangelical theology?... Continue Reading

Standing against people in the church who teach contrary to the faith is a battle probably none of us wants to fight. Yet, this is part of our calling in the church militant.   Years ago, a seminary professor gave us a simple but profound assignment. He had us read through the whole New Testament,... Continue Reading

Writing to the churches in Asia, the apostle went toe to toe with a heresy called Gnosticism, a heresy that denied the deity of Christ, licensed immorality, and encouraged a loveless pride based on mystical “revelations” from above.   In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God sent His Only-begotten Son... Continue Reading