Rahab, a Dog, and The Great Commission
The discernment, initiative, and resolve of these women are a model of faith for us all.
A while back, I wrote a post about the places in Scripture where the female voice dominates, sort of interrupting the androcentricity of Scripture in a complementary way. Richard Bauckham’s fascinating book, Gospel Women, is one that I keep returning to for discovery. He has a great section where he elaborates on the Gentile foremothers of the gospel.... Continue Reading
A House Of Prayer Is Not The Same As A Place Of Prayer
Preserving the church as a house of prayer means more than care of a facility for parishioners and pilgrims to come to pray.
York Minster’s glory, its substance, however, is not primarily in its sprawling opulence or in its regal pageantry. As is the case with any church, the glory that must be maintained as a matter of first importance is not so much a place for prayer as it is a furnace of prayer whose fires burn... Continue Reading
10 Things You Should Know about the Trinity
If the Bible reveals that God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, then we ought to believe that God made this known because he wants us to know it.
The doctrine of the Trinity is the vast, deep background behind all our theology, and when we explicitly talk about it we make a comprehensive claim about who God is if the gospel is true. But often the background stays in the background, and enables us to say particular things about Jesus, discipleship, the cross,... Continue Reading
It Took “Hidden Figures”
It hit me recently that it took "Hidden Figures" to make me realize that I did not have to be ashamed of being proud of my working scientist mom.
I want to reiterate that the problem is not that wives and mothers stay at home. If this is God’s providence for you, wonderful. But the problem is the blanket assumption that all women must stay at home and to do otherwise is disobedience to God. You may think this is the extreme, but this... Continue Reading
What Were You Made To Live For
The Creator designed us to chase meaning and purpose
“God carefully constructed his world and then placed it in the hands of people. You and I are designed to be resident managers, caring for the wide variety of amazing things God has purposefully crafted to be reflectors of his glory.” Why do little kids daydream about being a pilot or a princess? Why... Continue Reading
The Name Is Yahweh
The most arcane practice of English Bible translations is the use of “The Lord” for God’s name
If you were to hear me preach from the Old Testament, you would hear me say “Yahweh” in the places where my NASB or ESV says “The Lord.” I’m often asked after services by visitors what Bible translation I use which uses Yahweh. I tell them I’m using theirs, and have them open to the... Continue Reading
The Unbreakable Bond of Training & Tenderness (Christian Men & Their Godly Moms)
The great desire of Christian parents is that our children will grow into godliness
“In this collection on Christian Men and Their Godly Moms, we have learned of the power of a mother who was spiritually strong even while physically weak, and we have learned of the power of a mother who fervently prayed. Now we want to examine the power of a mother who diligently trained her son... Continue Reading
TULIP and Reformed Theology: Limited Atonement
I think that of all the five points of Calvinism, limited atonement is the most controversial
“I prefer not to use the term limited atonement because it is misleading. I rather speak of definite redemption or definite atonement, which communicates that God the Father designed the work of redemption specifically with a view to providing salvation for the elect, and that Christ died for His sheep and laid down His life... Continue Reading
10 Reasons The Father Didn’t Turn His Face Away At The Cross
Christ took the penalty for our sin upon Himself; does this mean that the Father turned his face from the Son on the cross?
Psalm 22:1 is a key verse for the rejection theory. ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me?’ (Ps 22:1). What does it mean? Two things. First, context is clear. Look at the parallel verse: ‘why are you so far from helping me?’ This is the issue: ‘no help’. The sufferer is asking why... Continue Reading
Four Qualifications for Finding Contentment
Biblical contentment unfolds from the Spirit’s work in a believer’s heart, mind, life, and hope.
Contentment does not suddenly descend upon us; it is learned. Can you recall the last time you learned something new? Usually, learning involves both study and observation, but at some point it requires application. If I learn to ride a bike, I may begin by reading about it in a book. I may also watch... Continue Reading