The conscience is a gift from God, so all men are without excuse; we are all sinful, and we know it. When we understand that reality, the only options left are: should we stay in our misery, or is there anyone who can free us from our wickedness? The answer the Bible gives is simple:... Continue Reading

The solution to the crisis of manhood is not found first in cultural reform, but in ecclesiastical faithfulness. It begins with the church making disciples, which is exactly what Christ called us to do.   Blaming the culture has become something of a reflex. We look out at the world around us, and we understand... Continue Reading

America was not founded on secular philosophy dressed in religious language but on theological conviction applied with uncommon seriousness to the ordering of public life. That theology is not dead. It needs to be believed and lived, in our homes, our churches, our schools, and our public square.   In Harvard’s early rules and precepts,... Continue Reading

His Word is sufficient. It is relevant. It is authoritative. It is the final standard for truth, for life, and for worship. Everything we need to know Him, love Him, and serve Him rightly has already been given. The question is whether we will build on it.   Since all Christians are worshippers, we can... Continue Reading

So much of the strife in the Corinthian church was created by the attitude of those engaged in the extraordinary gifts who were convinced that they were on a higher spiritual plane than the rest of the members of the church.   Paul had to speak harshly to the Corinthian community because the church there... Continue Reading

The bitterness of the Hebrews’ slavery echoes the bitter meaninglessness of life without God. Though we are cushioned in the West by material prosperity the godless can never fully escape the lash of finity and godless purposelessness.   In our bible lecture this week we looked back to the Western church at the beginning of... Continue Reading

David’s words acknowledge a boundary he could not cross. Christ’s work declares that the boundary itself has been broken. And that is where the passage ultimately leads us.   David’s fall with Bathsheba marks a decisive turning point in the narrative of Samuel. Up to this moment, one theme has defined David’s life above all... Continue Reading

A diluted gospel is one that is robbed of its power. The irony is that, in their concern to treat the symptoms of sin, the Evangelicals “of the Left” fail to deal with the very thing that produces the symptoms: personal guilt. When they have finished their treatment, the parasite is still alive and well.... Continue Reading

Job was as good as dead, but he was not left in his grave. The Redeemer lives, and he vindicates the suffering Job against the accusations of his friends and raises Job to new life. Though many accuse him, Job 19:25–27 succinctly shows that Job holds fast to both vindication and resurrection hope. This confident hope is... Continue Reading

When we gather for worship, our consciences cannot be bound by the latest cultural fads, complex man-made liturgies, or theatrical gimmicks. We simply gather to read the Word, preach the Word, pray the Word, sing the Word, and see the Word in the sacraments. By keeping worship simple, biblical, and Christ-centered, we worship God exactly... Continue Reading