God Says it…That Settles it?
Bumper sticker theology?
Now truth be told, I must admit that I too am guilty of using the very same reductionistic argument in an adult church-school class or two in the past—and ashamedly, I believe it may have even made it into a sermon at one point! But can’t we do better? Doesn’t the Bible speak with greater... Continue Reading
Here Are 5 Tips for Conversations in Our Tense Cultural Moment
Our goal is to patiently, but boldly, engage our culture as opportunities arise.
In our conversations, it’s easy to get frustrated, even irritated, when our non-Christian friends don’t “get it.” But, we need to remember what Paul says, “The natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him and he is not able to understand them” (1 Cor 2:14).... Continue Reading
Don’t Try to Hit a Home Run
Aim for a faithful, honest discussion of God’s word.
A Bible study leader’s primary job is faithfulness to the Lord and his Word. Our task is to help our friends engage with the Scriptures, not to push our own agenda or inflate our reputation. Let’s give ourselves to careful Bible study practices, leaving enough preparation time to write questions that lead our friends to... Continue Reading
Get to the Cross and Never Leave
The cross slays worldly wisdom.
For the apostles and early church, that Jesus was crucified was not accidental or peripheral; it was profoundly revealing. Counter intuitively, the early church didn’t try to hide his crucifixion but pushed it front and center. The Son of God had not only taken on our flesh and blood, but he had given himself, sinless,... Continue Reading
Simultaneously Justified and Sinner
As I grow older, I become more and more aware of just how much I need God’s grace.
As long as we remain in bodies that are aging and decaying, we will fight sin. Paul knew this, but he also knew the greater hope we have in Christ. Ours is the victory. We are being sanctified. We are being made to look more and more like our Savior Jesus and one day—when we... Continue Reading
Book Review: Remaining Faithful in Ministry, by John MacArthur
Here is some fresh fuel for your perseverance engine.
MacArthur doesn’t waste a word in this book. The book is less than 70 pages including the introduction. Each chapter would be a wonderful addition to your quiet time and could be read and re-read easily and with much profit. I was introduced to the preaching ministry of John MacArthur when I was in... Continue Reading
Our Sexual Brokenness Is Not Beyond Repair
God designed the delights of sexuality to point to the wonder of his heart for us.
Because the Fall has infiltrated every aspect of our personhood, broken sexuality affects every individual and community on the globe. It’s important to underscore that sexual sin is a gender-neutral pathogen of the soul. This is a universal human condition, impacting men and women. All of us need sexual redemption. This includes every Christian—Jesus doesn’t... Continue Reading
If You Want Your Kids to Own Their Faith, Teach Them to Think Critically about Their Faith
So, how do we do that?
Unfortunately, we are so focused on teaching our kids what to believe that we can forget to train them why to believe. Teaching the what without the why is like building a house without a foundation. It may stand for a season. But when the storms come, the house comes crashing down. Likewise, a faith... Continue Reading
How to Read Herman Bavinck: 4 Principles
Once we see that Bavinck’s goal is often a more holistic approach, we can better anticipate and understand where his discussions are going.
These principles should aid and encourage readers to pick up the premiere neo-Calvinist theologian for themselves. While reading Bavinck is indeed still often challenging and difficult, readers should find that the profit is well worth the toil. Tolle Lege! With the recent publication of Herman Bavinck’s Reformed Ethics and the forthcoming first English translation... Continue Reading
Samuel McPheeters and His Commitment to Neutrality
“As a minister of the Gospel I conduct the worship of God’s house with no reference to human government."
McPheeters is remembered for his clear understanding of his pastoral duties at a time when the extreme passions of the civil war exacerbated the all-too-common confusion between church and state. It was 1862, two days after Christmas. The American Civil War was still raging, when Samuel Brown McPheeters, Presbyterian pastor of the largest church... Continue Reading