Nicholas Wolterstorff’s Cheap Shots
Why the Christian Philosopher’s case for same-sex marriage is shallow
“All of Wolterstorff’s engagement with Scripture appears to be shaped by his gambit: If same-sex sexual intimacy isn’t inherently unloving, then opposition to same-sex marriage can only be due to a misbegotten commitment to divine command theory.” Nicholas Wolterstorff’s recent case for same-sex marriage, delivered as a lecture at Neland Avenue Christian Reformed Church... Continue Reading
A Few Brief Thoughts on the Hatmaker Hermeneutic
While I commend the Hatmakers for what seems to be a serious process of reading, reflection, and prayer, I find the logic of their position unconvincing.
The biblical teaching about marriage is not an oh-by-the-way piece of ethical advice that can be easily swapped out for other arrangements. I know these are difficult, painful issues. But we have to prayerfully and rigorously think these things through. We are bound to hear more stories in the years to come about other Christian... Continue Reading
Prepping in Biblical Perspective
The biblical "prepper" trusts in God's goodness and sovereignty and, therefore, doesn't succumb to being gripped by sinful fear.
As is evident from the passages above, faith and preparedness often go hand-in-hand. We see this so clearly the example of Noah. If you see danger coming–whether from a forecasted ice storm, home invasion, solar EMP, financial collapse, or a hurricane–you prepare. God has given us minds to use and guidance to follow. At the... Continue Reading
The Woman in a Wheelchair Who Thought She Could Not Be Saved
Since Luther’s day, nothing has changed. Indulgences are still in effect, the Pope hasn’t changed his name, and tradition and the magistrate still trump the Scripture in importance.
I get the fact that so many of us have Catholic relatives and friends and we cannot bear the thought that they would spend eternity in hell, but the worst thing we can do is to ignore the truth that is so clearly hitting us in the face. The Roman Catholic Church still teaches a... Continue Reading
10 Encouraging Scriptures to Remember During Election 2016
Whatever the outcome of election 2016, one thing is clear: God is in control
When it comes to fear, God’s Word is the one sure antidote. May we turn there as we ponder election 2016. For starters, here are ten passages that remind us that God remains sovereign, even during election 2016 With election 2016 looming, it can be tempting to worry about the future of our nation. What... Continue Reading
The Bigger the God, the Smaller the Difficulty
What ought we to do when our problems seem large and our God seems small?
It is one of life’s greatest temptations to forget the bigness of God when you are faced with life’s huge trials. Like David, focus upon God’s power, glory, justice, and steadfast love. In addition, contemplate his faithfulness, truthfulness, omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, holiness, majesty, mercy, graciousness, forgiveness, long-suffering, beneficence, eternality, and immutability. Your God is sovereign. He... Continue Reading
Looking Forward to a Heaven We Can Imagine
God commands us in his Word to set our minds in Heaven where Christ is
“Our belief that Heaven will be boring betrays a heresy—that God himself is boring. There’s no greater nonsense. Our desire for pleasure and the experience of joy come directly from God’s hand. He made our taste buds, adrenaline, and the nerve endings that convey pleasure to our brains. Likewise, our imaginations and capacity for joy... Continue Reading
Grieve To The Glory Of God
Our grief sends a message about what is truly valuable
“We grieve the loss of people we love, yes, but also the loss of circumstances. I had longed to celebrate our son’s 2nd birthday, but this day came and went with no boy in my arms. I had longed to see him in that crib in our room soon after it was assembled, but months... Continue Reading
What Christians Should Ask of Government: To Do Justice
These days, “justice” and “social justice” do seem to be increasingly popular rallying cries
The primary goal of government, we said, was to seek peace by doing justice. Several times I’ve mentioned 1 Kings 3:28, which gives us the political philosophy of the Bible in a nutshell: “Israel stood in awe of the king [Solomon], because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice.”... Continue Reading
Total Depravity: Leprosy, Sin, and Jesus
In the first chapter of Mark's gospel, a man with leprosy stopped Jesus
“How did this OT form of leprosy have any relevance to their spiritual wellbeing? And for that matter, what does OT leprosy have to do with us? Some scholars understand the snow-like nature of this leprosy to come from the scales and flakes of the skin disease. This particular effect of the disease indicates that... Continue Reading