The Spiritual Warfare of Boring Preaching
Jesus was often poorly received — but He never bored
“If lost people don’t like your message because they’re hostile to the gospel, you’re in good company. But if you’re boring the people of God with the Word of God, something has gone seriously awry.” The devil is a preacher. From the third chapter of the Bible onward, he is opening up God’s word... Continue Reading
An Essential Key to Understanding the Development of the NT Canon
For anyone willing to search for it, the internet is packed with myths, mistakes, and misunderstandings about how the whole process really worked
“(1) there was a core canon from a very early time, (2) there was dispute about some of the smaller books that took some time to resolve, (3) Christians continued to find some non-canonical books to be orthodox and helpful, though not Scripture, and (4) some books were so theologically off the mark that they... Continue Reading
Doxological Calvinism
Doxology is, literally, a word or words of praise
Doxologies punctuate the Bible because they punctuate the life of faith. This at least was Paul’s understanding of the life of Abraham: “he was strong in faith, giving glory to God” (Rom. 4:20). Let me invite you to take a simple word-association test. The usual procedure for such a test is that the administrator... Continue Reading
I’m Glad Paul Used This Word
I’m glad Paul used the word “perplexed,” because God takes me through many many things I just don’t understand.
When we’re perplexed, we think, “How did this happen?” or “Why is this happening?” and we have no answer. Things don’t seem to line up with our expectations. I thought if I did this, God would do this. If I sowed, I’d reap. Well, you will reap, but before the harvest comes you might have... Continue Reading
When You Are Tempted to Despair
If you are tempted to despair today, for whatever reason, look to Christ.
So when we get sick, I am tempted to despair. I feel helpless, weak, and useless. Questions swirl around my mind all day and night, “Should I switch doctors?” “What’s the long-term effect of this medication?” “When will we get better?” “How long can I go without sleep?” I find myself irritable and impatient. Stressed... Continue Reading
Children Are People Too
First, we need to remember that our children are made in the image of God
Our children are born with inherent worth and individual traits. We should remember that in raising them. It’s amazing to watch our children grow up and become the men and women God has planned for them to be. Each one is unique and has unique challenges and unique gifts. They may not fit our “mold,” but... Continue Reading
The Federal Vision and the Magical Efficacy of Sacraments
Federal Vision holds that every baptized person receives benefits of Christ in the act of the sacrament itself; that baptism makes a decisive change in the inner man.
It is a fatal flaw of the proponents of the Federal Vision that they hold to a view that replaces the work of the Holy Spirit with the magical working of the sacraments, a relic of paganism. It is beside the point that they define efficacy in such a vague way,… that it can be... Continue Reading
Confessions Of A Former Charismatic
From a former charismatic now hearing from God under the ordinary preaching of Scripture.
This is what I found: there were many conversations among the church leaders, or with “discerning members,” who were concerned that there was a diminishing of the prophetic on Sunday or in prayer gatherings. The absence of such words was a sign of sickness. Rather than being glad at the faithful ministry of the Word... Continue Reading
He Holds Out His Hands
Within the ancient sermons and ceremonies of the Old Covenant, the Good News of Jesus Christ had always been proclaimed.
There is Good News; God has also blessed you with his Gospel. You are hearing it right now. Despite the fact that you have spurned his counsel, rebelled against him, and have earned his eternal wrath, he has not stopped loving you. He promised his Son. He sent his Son. And now through the Word... Continue Reading
Serving The Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:1–5)
Pastoral abuse of the flock has always been an issue.
Though they ought not to entertain accusations against a pastor of an elder lightly (1 Tim 5:19) officers must be ready to accept the possibility that abuse is occurring. Over the years I have received reports from laity and pastors of abuse and too often other officers have been reluctant to address the problem. Pastors... Continue Reading