There is something about the human mind that prefers answers. When life-changing events befall us, we often interpret them as highly personal messages. We do this with individuals. Every person whose troubles are known to a church community receives specific “biblical” interpretations for the trouble, or is asked, “What is God trying to teach you?”... Continue Reading

Every time we think of the patience and the long-suffering of God (and think of that truth in light of what he has done for us in Christ crucified), the proper response is repentance and gratitude. The patience of God is one of his most formidable attributes—yet, one that is not frequently highlighted.   Augustine... Continue Reading

The New Testament scholar James M. Hamilton uses the expression “roll back the curse” in a couple of places, e.g., Work and Our Labor in the Lord (2017) and in the essay, ‘The Mystery of Marriage” in a 2010 Festschrift for John Piper, both times with reference to the work of Christ for us. One sees this expression... Continue Reading

As the prophets clearly rejected the corruptions of the outward forms of worship, so they also spoke of the hearts of God’s worshiping people. Amos reminds the people that God expects them to return to Him (Amos 4:6) and God calls to them: “Seek me and live” (Amos 5:4), a call very much in the... Continue Reading

Today, on his memorial plaque in Lubben are inscribed the words, “Theologus in cribro Satanae versatus,” which is roughly translated, “A theologian sifted in Satan’s sieve” (compare Luke 22:31). From all we can tell, however, these fiery trials only served to strengthen Gerhardt’s faith in Christ and hope in God. I mentioned Gerhard’s hymns above. He... Continue Reading

None of these suggestions will guard us from all spiritual drought. Because we are sinful and because we live in a fallen world with fallen bodies, we must face up to the reality that spiritual dryness will come again. That is why the psalmist says that the Word of God restores his soul (Ps. 19:7).... Continue Reading

Those who agree to obey and live lives of repentance are those who have built their lives upon the Rock with deep foundations down to the bedrock of our Lord and Saviour. On the other hand, those who rebel and refuse to submit to His Lordship are those who have built their lives on their... Continue Reading

One phrase, in particular, keeps on rearing its (ugly) head: “Christianity is a relationship, not a religion.” “Religion,” we’re told, is a negative concept, and it has to do with outward observance of rituals and behaviors, rather than the relationship that we should have with Jesus. It sounds great because we should all agree that the... Continue Reading

Among all of the providential logic of our present day, perhaps God is prompting us to value afresh the intricate simplicity of stepping into a pulpit and declaring God’s name. Perhaps he has allowed us this famine of live preaching so that we might feast once again with a heightened appetite and taste for truth... Continue Reading

I enjoy being on sabbatical alone. I don’t enjoy trying to work alone. The occasions when I hate living alone are when I have a day of demanding meetings or decisions- and nobody with whom to share them. Those are the times when anxious thoughts tend to work around my mind and a sense of... Continue Reading