Christine de Pizan—Theologian and Mother
Christine based her defense of the dignity of women on both Scriptures and the example of virtuous women in church history. She even took a Latin proverb that men used to slander women (“God made women to weep, talk and spin”) to show how Christ had compassion on the tears of many women. Christine... Continue Reading
The De-conversion of Saruman
Five Lessons to Learn
Perhaps one of the most remarkable (and often overlooked) examples of apostasy is Saruman in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. I’ve been re-reading the books lately in my coronavirus quarantine, and I was struck anew by the role he plays in the overall story. There’s been a lot of chatter the last couple years... Continue Reading
Christians, Don’t Waste Your Covid-19 Moment
God has the right to throw everything into chaos for a greater end, and he doesn’t need different kinds of saviors wrapped up in all the wrong causes.
The mere fact that everyone is obsessed at present with failed policies and bad government is proof that the Lord has our attention. What people need right now is to think about their status before their maker. We are all soon to die even if Covid-19 doesn’t make the death certificate. What people need right... Continue Reading
The Antidote for Despair
"Is there no balm in Gilead?"
Camus, in his classic novel, The Plague, describes the agony of a priest trying to come to terms with the horrible death of a child. In such circumstances one of the key questions that Christians seek to answer is: where is God in all of this? The answers fly out from the keyboards and on the airwaves.... Continue Reading
3 Good Things to Remember When You Feel Overwhelmed by Your Sin and Failures
The Lord uses our failures to train us, to discipline us.
It is good to self-examine and learn from our failures. Yet, perhaps more important than lessons learned is the question: how is God glorified in this? Is it possible that even in our self-inflicted trials—when we are acutely aware of our fallen, sinful nature—the glory of God is manifested by his work in and for... Continue Reading
What is Our Future? (Ezekiel 47:1-12)
The story of Scripture—our story—ends with God’s presence on earth, bringing life, renewal, and healing to everything.
Our future is not really about us leaving the earth. It’s about heaven reuniting with earth and God living here, healing and restoring everything that’s broken, and bringing life and healing to the world. We began a series on the storyline of the Bible way back on March 1, which was in a different... Continue Reading
Expectations of the Pastor’s Family
The burden to be a godly example to the church and carry the burden of souls is to rest solely on the man called of God to do so, not his family.
The members of the pastor’s family are in one sense not ordinary church members because of their unique familial relationship to the pastor. Yet, when it comes to the church’s expectations of them, they should be treated as ordinary members. Pastoral ministry today is especially challenging. The most recent figures show that 50 percent... Continue Reading
Scripture: Sufficient For You
The only proper response to the Word of God is repentance, faith, and obedience.
As Christians, we are to trust the Word, because behind it is the character of a holy, just, omnipotent, and omnipresent God. The Word of God will never change, but the hearts of men change as they respond rightly it. The sufficiency of Scripture is a crucial tenet of the Christian faith. By Scripture,... Continue Reading
2 Important Things to Remember about Fighting Sin—Romans 7:13-25
Dealing frankly with our sin should lead us to confession, forgiveness, and thankfulness in Christ, not perpetual hopelessness.
Despite the fact that we are involved in a battle against enemies who seem, at times, immune to our attacks and unlimited in their resources, the glorious truth is this: the victory has already been won—on a cross outside of Jerusalem 2000 years ago. The longer I am a Christian, the more I realize... Continue Reading
The Simple Secret to Change
The grace of God works through very practical means, which is why we refer to them as means of grace.
If we find deficiencies in our practical holiness, we have to ask ourselves, “What am I loving?” because I am growing to resemble something that is not God. Therefore, we are to love God more. So then the next question presents itself: how do I increase my affections for God? This is nearing the heart... Continue Reading