We need to hold onto the truth that God is sovereign, that even through hardships he is working what is good. If we don’t, when hardship comes we will either label God impotent (by blaming the evil) or we’ll question his goodness.   Imagine you wake up early in the morning and tuning into the... Continue Reading

Televangelists and mega-church pastors strut their stuff for all the world to see. Not all misuse and abuse their positions in this way of course, but far too many do. And how often does mere eloquence, wit, good looks or youth become some of the main qualifications?   In many ways things are not so... Continue Reading

Actions do have consequences in this world. If people are mean, they won’t have many friends. If plants aren’t watered, they will die. On the other hand, a person who is driving safely might be hit and killed by a drunk driver. Cancer may strike a little child for no known reason. Both believers and... Continue Reading

Moses acted servant in the house of God,  whereas Christ acted as the Son over the house. The difference is one of authority. Jesus has divine authority over the church of God since he is himself the eternal divine Son. The writer hotes this contrast when he says, “Jesus has been counted worthy of more... Continue Reading

The Christian believer has the explicit presupposition that God and his word is never wrong or in error. That is, there is an element of faith working to supersede what we see so that in any instant, God (and the character of God) is being trusted more than our eyes and minds. If God says... Continue Reading

Underneath Paul’s theology of the body is the reality that human beings are both material and immaterial, and these two are inseparable. Soul piety leads to bodily piety because, in God’s design, the body and soul are inseparably linked. If the body is merely a neutral (or evil) capsule for the soul, then we are... Continue Reading

As people grow more like Christ, their lives are more righteous, and are so produce more fruit. These three aspects of what Paul means by ‘complete’ are not in competition, but are complimentary. Those justified in Christ, regenerated by God’s Spirit, will necessarily become more righteous over time through the work of the Spirit. And as... Continue Reading

Like Christ, Job was a prophet shown no honor by those closest to him (cf. Mark 6:4), a priest who made mediation for his three friends who offered no help in his anguish (cf. Mark 14:47), and was a kingly figure mocked by the rabble of society amid his greatest trial (cf. Mark 15:16–32). Like... Continue Reading

When a person becomes a believer but his spouse does not, the question of the believer’s remaining in the marriage arises (v. 12). The unbelieving spouse may consent to remain in the marriage, allowing the believer to practice his new Christian faith. In this situation, the believer is not to separate or seek a divorce... Continue Reading

For most of history, as Holland described in his book ‘Dominion’, the idea that humans have “self-evident” rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” would have been baffling: “A Roman would have laughed at it.”  Yet today, “rights” language is central to our way of life. It was at the heart of the United... Continue Reading