Depression & the Ministry – Part 2
There are good and righteous reasons behind sorrow’s frequent visit in the spiritually-minded church leader
First, God is sovereign over our sorrow. Depression is ordained by God because God is sovereign over everything. As God’s children, no moment, especially not the sorrowful ones, need be wasted (Rom. 8:28). In fact, times of depression season the pastor in a unique way. It is a rare seasoning which, though painful upon the... Continue Reading
Jesus, The Ninth Commandment, And Objective Truth
We can know the truth that creatures are capable of knowing and we should pursue it, believe it, and tell it.
The truth that ninth commandment requires us to tell is not merely subjective, i.e., what is true for me but not necessarily for thee. No, the truth required by the ninth commandment, by our Lord Jesus, who is Truth, is objectively true. Jesus is not merely subjectively true for Christians who choose to believe in... Continue Reading
John 10:30 is the Best Verse Ever
It is this verse where Jesus unambiguously claimed to be the God of the Old Testament.
By claiming to be God, Jesus is saying that all of God’s dialogue and actions were His own. This means that his teachings in the New Testament must be interpreted in light of His teachings in the Old Testament. Considering that God told Israel to go to war, gave them regulations on how to conduct... Continue Reading
Ten Words of Advice for Seminarians
Here are ten things every incoming seminary student should know, consider, and keep in mind over the next few years.
Get involved in the local church. Star this one. Underline it. Put it in italics and don’t forget. The seminary exists to serve the church. You are in seminary, presumably, because you desire to be a servant in the church. So don’t neglect the very reason you are where you are. Find a good church.... Continue Reading
Do Women Make Men Civilized?
A reply to Glenn Stanton's "Why Man and Woman Are Not Equal"
You see, what’s missing from Lord of the Flies is not women. If there had been girls on the island, I imagine their fate would have been worse than Piggy’s. What generally happens to women when all traces of “civilization”are removed from a society? What’s missing from Lord of the Flies is God. Without salvation, without the work... Continue Reading
Sexual Identity: The Way We Were and Who We Are: Our Identity Crisis is Re-railed Into Christ
May Dr. Butterfield's "train wreck" conversion describe your and my daily sanctification experience as we keep re-railing and riding with Jesus Christ
“Let us recognize in witnessing the Gospel to people who identify themselves within the LGBT community that a major part of our conversation should deal with one’s deep commitment to an identity, not only of his or her person, but also being part of a people. We see its manifestation also in identity (or group) politics... Continue Reading
10 Things You Should Know About Male Headship
Headship is never portrayed in Scripture as a means for self-satisfaction or self-exaltation
“Headship is not the power of a superior over an inferior. Human nature is sinfully inclined to distort the submission of the wife into the superiority of the husband. That some, in the name of male headship, have done precisely this cannot be denied, but it must certainly be denounced. We must also remember that... Continue Reading
A High View of the Efficacy of Baptism
The grace promised in the ordinance of baptism is actually conferred in God’s appointed time “by the right use of this ordinance.”
Covenant Baptism is not merely a symbol (Zwingli) or a “wet dedication service” where water is used. If anyone is dedicating himself in covenant baptism, it is God who is dedicating himself to keep the promises he has made to Christian parents. This is a high view of the efficacy of covenant baptism. It is... Continue Reading
What Is Worship?
Worship is a humble serving the Lord in all of life because he is the only one deserving of honor.
God was careful to define the exclusivity of worship to the people of Israel. He commanded his people to destroy the idols of the land of Canaan when they took possession of it. He does so because he requires worship to be shown to him alone (Cf. Ex. 34:14). Worship is then described as sacrifice... Continue Reading
Conviction and Consolation in the Gospel
Throughout the Bible, God’s unified work of redemption includes both an element of conviction and an element of consolation, and the gospel of Jesus Christ gives clear expression of these two elements
“The conviction and consolation we receive in Christ grandly correspond to the character of God the Father as both just and gracious (Gen 34:6-7). Though we may naturally prefer the consolation of the gospel, we must also learn to acknowledge and then to celebrate the element of conviction of the gospel.” Throughout the Bible,... Continue Reading