3 Motivations to Hate Sin
I have found that hating sin is an easily overlooked but never overstated priority
“We understand from the Bible that the wages of sin is death. Think about this, every single tombstone throughout history is a trademark of sin. Every minute 105 people die. That is 151,600 people per day and more than 55 million per year. Sin is destructive.” In counseling, parenting, and my own personal pursuit of godliness I... Continue Reading
John Newton’s Christ-Centered Approach to the Old Testament
Seven reasons we should be committed to seeking Christ in the Old Testament
The coming of Christ was a wise and gracious appointment that put the truth of the depravity and helplessness of man, the mercy of God, and the truth of the Scriptures in the strongest possible light. It was at the time that most glorified Jesus Christ as the only remedy for sin and as the... Continue Reading
One of the Easiest Ways to Glorify God
What could be easier? We can glorify God by giving thanks. But how does gratefulness honor the Lord?
Thankfulness shows we appreciate God’s costly mercy in saving us. We were blind and dead in our sins, under God’s wrath, slaves of sin and Satan, without hope or God, and unable to save ourselves, when Jesus came down, suffered brutal torture, holy wrath and death to rescue us and bring us to God. How... Continue Reading
Unjust, Unkind, Unfair, Un-humble?
Is it unjust, unkind, unfair, un-humble to insist upon the exclusivity of Jesus Christ?
If we are to return to God, we must go in and by and through Jesus Christ. We must go in and by and through Jesus Christ alone. He demands exclusivity. We cannot use Jesus to hedge our bets, adding a little Jesus to our own efforts or to another guru or deity. We cannot... Continue Reading
This Is My Body: How Christian Theology Affects Body Image
Two studies examine the intersection of the Bible and body shaming
American culture promotes near-impossible ideals of beauty, particularly for females. Those feelings are tied to a range of negative outcomes from serious eating disorders to depression and low self-worth. So what can the latest research offer in terms of practical tips in promoting a positive body image? Donald Trump’s controversial comments about women and... Continue Reading
Satan’s Civil Rights
For the first time, a Satanist group has official permission to meet in a public school at the end of the school day.
At one level, this seems like cultural fair play, but at another level, it shows how dramatically Western culture has changed. After centuries of underground existence, Satanic teaching is now so self-confident of its acceptance that it openly demands —and gets—a public voice. The Pew Research Center showed that out of about 245 million US... Continue Reading
Some Vossian Thoughts on the Visible-Invisible Church Distinction
The Reformed have always taught that the distinction between the visible and invisible church is not a bifurcation of a generic concept into two species, but the description of one and the same subject
“1. There are visible and invisible aspects to the church. 2. These aspects are not separate churches, but have a large amount of overlap. 3. The visible and invisible do not entirely overlap: there are many false sons within her pale, and some true believers outside her administration.” I’m reading the 5th volume of... Continue Reading
The Hidden Power in Every Idol
It’s not just idols that are empty and powerless. It’s also the people who worship them.
In the Western world we are far too sophisticated for carved idols, of course, but we have idols of our own, respectable idols suited to twenty-first century sensibilities. If we worship the idol of the perfect body, the sweeping curves or the chiseled abs, we will become as vain and self-focused as the models in... Continue Reading
Giving Thanks Is Better Together
I hope we recognize that this shared thanksgiving is one of our great privileges as the people of God.
In a secular society, Thanksgiving is widely perceived as an interfaith or even faith-optional holiday. But the Christian knows that gratitude is not merely contented mindfulness. True gratitude is directed at our God, the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). In expressions of thankfulness, we exalt him, proclaim his faithfulness, and confess... Continue Reading
Thanksgiving as Theological Act: What Does it Mean to Give Thanks?
A lack of proper thankfulness to God is a clear sign of a basic godlessness.
Sinners saved by the grace and mercy of God know a thankfulness that exceeds any merely human thankfulness. How do we express thankfulness for the provision the Father has made for us in Christ, the riches that are made ours in Him, and the unspeakable gift of the surpassing grace of God? As Paul wrote... Continue Reading