The New Testament gives us principles; it does not provide us with a single, simple sentence that relieves us of the task of thinking through and wisely applying the Scriptures to each unique situation. Biblical teaching can sometimes be expressed only in compound-complex sentences. In the limited space of this article, we can reflect on... Continue Reading

In a recent article for The Nation, “How Martin Luther Paved the Way for Donald Trump,” Michael Massing discusses the Two Kingdoms Doctrine at some length. Unfortunately, Massing incorrectly states that Luther taught that “Christ’s Gospel was to apply only in the spiritual realm; in the secular, the government’s role was to maintain order and punish... Continue Reading

Calvinism rejects this rationalistic spectrum entirely and provides us with a third option that is most consistent and faithful to God’s revelation in Scripture. Man’s freedom is established by God’s sovereignty. Man’s moral and rational capacities are created and maintained within the eternal decree of God and therefore have real existence and significance.   God’s sovereignty and... Continue Reading

The different approaches of these two men with hearts for the poor are more than personal views. They reflect, five centuries after the Protestant Reformation, historically dueling evangelical and Catholic attitudes toward poverty.   James Whitford, 48, founder and director of the Watered Gardens Gospel Rescue Mission in Joplin, tells stories of rescues from poverty.... Continue Reading

Many Christians—I assume with good intentions—take up the cultural warrior sword, a bit like Peter in Gethsemane. When their Christian principles are attacked they respond in kind, drawing their weapon and striking their opponent. I think Jesus just might shut down their reckless emotionalism like he did Peter: “Put your sword into its sheath” (John... Continue Reading

The giant of Old Princeton, B. B. Warfield, outspokenly condemned the racism and rigid segregation of American society of his day. His views were remarkably ahead of his time with regard to an understanding of the evil of racism and even somewhat prophetic with regard to the further evil that would result from it. His... Continue Reading

One of us reported recently about how the committee shut down discussion of any controversial issue. The two conservative members of the 26-person board were simply not allowed to speak their objections. Public exposure forced a changed in this practice, but still there is no real engagement of dissenting concerns or questions. Case in point was... Continue Reading

Although the conversation that took place between Laban and Jacob, recorded in Genesis 31, was different than the conversation I had with my father-in-law, there is one thing the two conversations have in common. They both recognized the reality of the Lord’s sovereign direction and accountability in the covenant of marriage.    I have a good... Continue Reading

It’s not hard to understand how a parent’s love for a prodigal child can be a kingdom parable because that’s the point of the most famous parable Jesus ever told. In Luke 15, Jesus tells the story of a wealthy man with two sons. One requests his inheritance early, leaves home, and lives like there’s... Continue Reading

Although Avila has been successful in his return to society as a businessman who now helps minister and council young men who are just now getting out of prisons, he faced some of the 48,000 legal barriers that create an essential “second prison”  for ex-inmates in their life after release.    A former drug dealer who racked up... Continue Reading