Do Not Miss the Theology of the Song
We have hundreds of great hymns and spiritual songs for worship that are filled with great theology.
We should engage our mind and heart in the song during our worship. As we sing, it should be that the theology of the song is what produces joy in our hearts—not the arrangement or the skill of the vocalist who is leading. How often do you miss the theology of the song you’re singing?... Continue Reading
How Scholasticism Helps Us to Understand Gender Roles, Orientation, and Transhumanism
Scholasticism merely signifies a method to read the biblical text (or to think about truth at any level).
Scholasticism relies on basic assumptions like a blue fish cannot be both blue and not blue at the same time, God created the world and it has order, and truth is objectively real. God did create an orderly world where can recognize that absurdities are, well, absurd. A human cannot be both the moon and... Continue Reading
What Does “Born of Water and the Spirit” Mean in John 3:5?
The question to ask is this: where do “water” and “the Spirit” come together in the Old Testament in a context that promises a new beginning?
God is promising through the prophet Ezekiel, six centuries before Jesus, that a time is coming when there will be a transformative new beginning, characterized by spectacular cleansing symbolized by water that washes away all impurities and idols, and by the powerful gift of the Spirit that transforms the hearts of people. That is what... Continue Reading
More than a Wager: Pascal’s Defense of the Faith
The truth of Christianity can be shown to be “reasonable,” but we ourselves cannot convince people of its truth.
Yes,” Pascal says, “you must wager. It is not optional. You are embarked. Which will you choose then?” Pascal’s point is not that people should wager on God’s existence because they have nothing to lose. Rather, it is this: “Stop kidding yourself that you do not believe in God because you are intelligent and have... Continue Reading
Nothing on Earth Can Compare
Edwards captures the largeness of God and heaven.
The Northampton pastor compels his hearers to remember the sweet and sometimes forgotten promises of Scripture. The “mustard seed” that fights to grow here will surely grow into “a great tree” in eternity. The soul that fought to taste the love of God in this earth but battled bitterly against besetting sin, hurtful situations, and... Continue Reading
The Pastoral Benefit of Baxter and Burroughs
To put it plainly, they help us put first things first.
Feast on the wealth of wisdom from these fellow pastors! Admit yourselves under these doctors of the soul. Take these truths, and boundless more, and press them on your heart, until you see afresh the weight of your calling and the sweetness of your Christ. We scarcely need to add to the existing praise... Continue Reading
J.I. Packer’s Thoughts on Holiness
Repentance must lead one to forsake all former ways of disobedience.
Christians are fascinated and enthralled with the transcendent glory of God’s grace and love. But they are equally captivated, with a slightly different effect, by his holiness and justice and purity. A Habitual Attitude There is no holiness or Christian life that does not have repentance at its core. Repentance is not merely one... Continue Reading
The Methods vs. The Message
Anyone who has the ability to speak about three or four simple principles can become an effective evangelist.
Ultimately, evangelism is less about the method one uses and more about the message one proclaims. Evangelism, remember, is the proclamation of the gospel—telling the story, announcing the news. Some fear that they don’t know enough to evangelize. I say, “Tell them what you do know.” Many Christians go their entire lives without being... Continue Reading
Six Good Things God Brought out of Suffering
Things were going splendid and then all of a sudden...
When you’re in the fire it isn’t really the time to interpret. You just hang on for dear life and unashamedly cling to the goodness of God. You won’t be giving an account about how well you interpreted God’s actions. But we will be held to account for how we clung to Jesus even when... Continue Reading
Charlotte of Bourbon—from Runaway Nun to Self-Sacrificing Wife
She used the experience she had acquired as an abbess in order to run the home, negotiate alliances, and raise financial support.
She had been sent to the abbey as a baby, she said, to be raised by her aunt, the abbess. When she turned twelve, she was forced to take the veil, in spite of her repeated protests. With time, her wisdom and abilities promoted her to the role of abbess, but her sentiments never changed.... Continue Reading