Christianity Is Not a Frowning Contest
Do we really believe God loves for his children to be glad? How do our daily lives reflect this truth?
Christians ought to be celebrating constantly. We ought to be preoccupied with parties, banquets, feasts, and merriment. We ought to give ourselves over to celebrations of joy because we have been liberated from the fear of life and the fear of death. We ought to attract people to the church quite literally by the sheer... Continue Reading
Charles Dickens and Theodicy
Light is never so radiant as when contrasted with darkness, good never so virtuous as when juxtaposed with evil.
With the advent of the Christ, the opposing forces of good and evil, light and dark, make war against one another. But when standing against the darkness, light isn’t simply light; it’s brilliantly victorious. According to Christ, “the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their... Continue Reading
God Wrote a Book
The Wonder of Having His Words
One of the greatest facts in all of history is that God gave us a Book. He gave us a Book! He has spoken. He has revealed himself to us through prophets and apostles, and appointed that they write down his words and that they be preserved. We have his words! We can hear in... Continue Reading
Social Media’s Attack on Meekness
Does your time spent online stir up passions and move you from a spirit of humble quietness to one of contemptuous frustration?
Someone says something online that we find offensive, and we retaliate with a harsh word, a quick jab, or a joke a their expense. What we have done in that moment is allowed them to steal our blessing of a quiet and gentle spirit to pay them back for their worthless words. Most people are quick... Continue Reading
Fruitless Fig Trees
There is a lie being perpetrated all through the Church in our day. That lie is that it is wrong to confront those who are teaching false doctrine.
It is such a huge tragedy that the predominate form of Christianity in the world right now is the product of the Church Growth movement. This movement is all about restructuring churches so that they will appeal to the unchurched. They take away the Gospel and replace it with easy-believism which saves no one. ... Continue Reading
3 Valuable Lessons Nursing Home Visitation Taught Me
I came to realize I needed these visits more than our oldest church members needed to see me.
In a culture that places an inordinate value on youth and image, caring for those who lack both can be a lost art in church ministry. Pastors who practice this art, however, will come to see how church members who are most connected to the past can have a positive impact on shepherding the local... Continue Reading
Book Review of “Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament,” by Mark Vroegop
Lament is “a prayer in pain that leads to trust."
Everyone will face suffering in life, and the grace of lament helps Christians persevere. I recommend this book for anyone who is grieving or walking through suffering. Since every person daily interacts with the effects of sin upon the world, all believers will benefit from learning how to respond to sin and suffering with lament.... Continue Reading
How is disagreement resolved in the Council of Acts 15?
Does this offer us some kind of framework for decision-making in the contemporary context when faced with a sharp difference of view?
It is hard to underestimate what a seismic shift it was for the early church to come to terms with the idea that salvation for Jesus was for gentiles who remained as gentiles rather than joining the historic people of God by becoming converts to Judaism. The account of the Council of Jerusalem in... Continue Reading
Sanctification: “I’m justified, so why sanctified?”
Those in Christ will over time grow to look more and more like Christ.
There is a species of wrong teaching out there that says if you believe Jesus is your Savior, you are so completely saved that even if you live your entire life without obeying any of Jesus’ commands, you are still truly saved. Sanctification is like a bonus. Doesn’t really matter but it can be a... Continue Reading
Crucified With Christ
Let’s move slowly and savor this multi-course feast.
Paul did not look back on his past with nostalgia. Paul did not have an amicable break-up with his prior legalistic beliefs, some kind of “agree to disagree” arrangement. Instead, Paul says, “I died to the law.” More specifically, “I have been crucified with Christ.” (vv. 19-20). Our salvation hinges on a death. Galatians... Continue Reading