…notice that the central command of this statement addresses a heart orientation, what I have elsewhere characterized as worldview. In other words, according to the Shema, biblical religion consists of both right theology and right worldview—explicitly believing right things about God and then having the heart rightly oriented toward God.   In the context of... Continue Reading

But in the sacraments God also gives us the promise of forgiveness in a form we can see, touch, and even taste. The water, bread, and wine are added as confirmations of the reality of the promise. All our senses are thus engaged so that our frail faith might be nurtured. Jesus describes the wine... Continue Reading

Through this beautiful word picture, Jesus reveals that He alone is the door of salvation and the Good Shepherd who, as God enfleshed, tends His flock by dying to deliver it. He knows His own. He loves them. And those who are truly His—given to Him by the Father—know His voice and find security in... Continue Reading

When we are persecuted, we need to remember that God has counted us worthy of a great honor. He is entrusting us with an opportunity to put His transforming grace on display. When we remain faithful under persecution, our perseverance matches up with the high position to which God has called us.   Paul and... Continue Reading

There are those who have never had any training apart from the academy whose writing turns out to be great, accessible, easy to read, insightful and all the rest. But, let’s be honest, that just isn’t going to be most of us.   Nobody really wants to say it, but it’s true isn’t it? So... Continue Reading

Oneness and unity in the marriage relationship are often hindered because of differing views on money. The behaviors of a frugal person, a saver, a spender, or a free spirit can become idolatrous. These different views have the potential to cause marital conflict over finances due to a lack of understanding or submission to biblical... Continue Reading

Sin is more than a list of things you’ve done wrong. If this is your notion of sin, you have not understood it from the Bible. It’s a living power, a vicious enemy, and it is at work in you and it is at work in me.   Sin runs in the blood; grace does... Continue Reading

The book of Joel prospectively anticipates the fuller revelation of God in Jesus Christ. His resurrection is the firstfruits of the new creation, confirms the eternality and blessedness of Zion, and assures forgiveness by the gift of the Holy Spirit.   The incipit of Hosea suggests that Hosea and Isaiah (and Micah) are connected by... Continue Reading

This drive to know God has led Christians for centuries to think out loud, pray for hours upon end, and do theology. It is good and right to do so. Yet we must be careful that we discern what can be dogmatically affirmed (i.e., Christ died, was buried, rose from the dead) and what should... Continue Reading

What Machen understood so well and what gave him such assurance in the face of death was that wrapped up into Christ’s saving work was his obedience to the Father on our behalf. If our estate before God is guilty because of the man Adam’s disobedience (Rom. 5:15), then we are in dire need of... Continue Reading