“Doctrine” is a biblical word and the Apostle Paul shows us that sound doctrine is a good thing we should embrace. After all, “doctrine” refers to teaching and “sound” means something is healthy. Sound doctrine is a shorthand way of saying that teaching is healthy and good for us. This means it corresponds to what... Continue Reading

Very much like fire, praise from (and of) other people is both a gift and a danger, meant to be carefully stewarded. We ought to be wise, thoughtful, and measured in receiving it — and in giving it.   It is sometimes good, and often dangerous, to be praised by other people. We know praise... Continue Reading

Christ inaugurated what the apostles built upon through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Additionally, a concept may be present despite the lack of specific vocabulary naming the concept. Christ clearly indicated that salvation could only come through him (Jn. 3:16-17; Jn. 14:6) despite never using the word justification. Likewise, Paul also taught that Christians... Continue Reading

What Christians who are demanding justice must understand – and accept – is that the gospel doesn’t promise relief from the injustices and inequities of this world. In fact, it promises just the opposite (Jn. 16:33). The world in which you and I live still lies in the power of the evil one (1 Jn.... Continue Reading

Deep friendships take time and are often forged through the fires of trial and suffering. Just as a gardener gets their hands dirty when they tend their garden, tending a friendship may be messy at times. We’ll have to sacrifice time. We’ll have to hear hard stories. We’ll have to walk with friends through painful circumstances.... Continue Reading

Historical evangelicalism has always valued both theological principle and vigorous evangelism. Indeed, we cannot be authentically and faithfully evangelical without holding both of these features in tandem. The unity between evangelical theology and evangelism is not forced or fabricated. Our theological convictions should irrevocably give birth to our evangelistic fervor.   The Great Commission stands... Continue Reading

Every one of us will face impossible situations at one time or another. It may be a situation at work or school, or a financial need. We just can’t see any possible way to change things. I think the most tempting “impossible” situation we face is a loved one who is not saved. Especially when... Continue Reading

Many individuals have contacted me privately in order to express that they strongly disagree with the trajectory of the accepted conclusions on ethnic strife, but are afraid of being slandered for speaking out on it–since slander and vitriol often ensue when someone speaks out about his or her concerns. It is perfectly understandable why people... Continue Reading

A truly biblical ministry will often grow at a much slower rate, but it will last into all of eternity. It’s easy for those laboring faithfully to become discouraged when they look over at other churches and see how much more quickly they seem to have grown. It is much more difficult for them to... Continue Reading

The covenant of grace, sealed by the death of Christ, and our obedience, produced by the life of Christ, are intrinsically bound together. Truly we see, while our obedience is essential to it, the covenant is rightly called the covenant of grace. Jesus told us this, not to produce legalists, not at all, but rather... Continue Reading