Pastors were charged with rebellion, treason, and defamation of the Roman Catholic Church. They were sentenced to death, and told they could forego punishment by converting to Roman Catholicism. About two-thirds of them took this way of escape, even if only on paper, and fled to other countries.   One of the worst examples of... Continue Reading

The tree of the knowledge of good and evil inspires awe. What makes it special is the divine prohibition against its fruit: “Of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat” (Genesis 2:16–17). Alone among the trees of the first orchard, it presents humans with an option: either they can... Continue Reading

Every time we see the rainbow it ought to remind us that this is the day of salvation, and to motivate us to urgency in evangelism. Our task is to urge men and women to be reconciled to God while there is still time, because we know that this era of grace will not last... Continue Reading

Too often, pastors evaluate success by applause, size, and immediate outward results. After all, these are the measures often thrust upon pastors by their congregants. There is a frequent accusation in a pastor’s conscience that preaching the gospel is not enough.   As I was busy rushing from one place to another, I noticed a... Continue Reading

The very reason we pray is because of God’s sovereignty, because we believe that God has it within His power to order things according to His purpose. That is what sovereignty is all about—ordering things according to God’s purpose. So then, does prayer change God’s mind? No. Does prayer change things? Yes, of course.  ... Continue Reading

Pastoral care and discipleship are time consuming and by all appearances, inefficient—so use that to your advantage.  Given all the other duties pastors are expected to fulfill, making them feel harried and overwhelmed is hardly difficult.   My Dear Twaddle-Tweeze: Good intentions!  I’ll never cease to remind you that the road to Perdition lined with... Continue Reading

Where we go to a church and see difference, in age, in economic status, in race, the Bible sees a mosaic of beauty. This is why Paul commends diversity in 1 Corinthians 12 and other passages. Each of us contributes to the mission of God by bringing our full package of strengths and weaknesses, talents... Continue Reading

It’s been clear for at least 50 years that the United States desperately needs both Revival and Reformation, a movement toward Christ that influences both hearts and minds. It has also become evident that we need Reunion, the coming together of rich and poor in a way that produces action by hands and feet.  ... Continue Reading

Augustine asks us if our God is solid. Are we confused by the apparently unchecked evil around us? Is God strong enough to rest in? Is he the Holy One, with no worthy competitors, to whom we submit?   Augustine tried to cast his cares on the Lord (1 Peter 5:6–7), and it didn’t work.... Continue Reading

It can be perplexing for Christians, then, when they come across a passage like Exodus 34:14: “You shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” How could a perfect, loving, patient God call himself jealous? Is God insecure? Do passages like this simply represent a primitive, Old Testament idea... Continue Reading