The tendency is to view the church as means of therapy, merely as a place of fellowship and encouragement, but not as the divinely instituted embassy in which the keys of the Kingdom of God are administered. Viewed thus, the very idea of church discipline seems high-handed, arbitrary, unjust, and even cruel. After all, the... Continue Reading

Sometimes God sees fit to allow the church to take a giant step forward, as in the days of the Reformation, but more often the church has slowly and deliberately developed doctrine that accords to Scripture. Today we have unprecedented access to the Scripture and to resources dealing with the Bible. For this we ought... Continue Reading

A disturbing fact that should motivate Christians toward vigilant, courageous action is that sexual misconduct and abuse of power happens even among us. To us. By us. It’s not only those “out there,” like the child in the car, who need protection, but all those who are vulnerable within the church.   A heartbreaking twenty-year... Continue Reading

This story is symbolic of the way entrepreneurial North American evangelicals often operate. Mahaney saw a talented young man, he plucked him from obscurity, and groomed him to become his successor. This is not how a real church operates but it is the way American evangelicals often operate. Christian, you need to learn that there... Continue Reading

The persecution under Nero was just one of many examples throughout church history of Christians suffering under the reign of a wicked ruler. Suffering is not an anomaly for the Church. It’s the norm. God has ordained that a normal part of his redemptive plan would be for his people to glorify him through joyfully... Continue Reading

In a previous post, I gave a few principles I’ve followed in OT exposition that have helped me avoid monotonous “Jesus is the better King” kind of sermons ever week. Principles, not rules. But they are redundant, unnecessary, and superfluous when the passage is something like 2 Samuel 7 or Jeremiah 31. What of passages... Continue Reading

The losses of Jonathan and Saul serve as reminders that Israel needed more than a man to hope in. In the same way, we can’t ultimately put our hope in human leaders, no matter how faithful they are. In fact, even on their best days, pastors can’t help but disappoint the flocks they love. Therefore,... Continue Reading

Paul’s love for the church, as touching as it is, isn’t ultimately about Paul but about a promise God made to his people long before Paul had life and breath. For example, consider the words of Jeremiah 23:1-4. “‘Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!’ declares the Lord. Therefore... Continue Reading

In the interest of moving past the “that’s interesting” thoughts that may accompany newsletter reading, this post is devoted to decoding a few of our common words and phrases. Code: Visa application process. Meaning: We’ve quit our jobs, given away our belongings, raised support, and are ready to go, but if this paperwork is denied all our... Continue Reading

Though often weary and overburdened, church planters must stay nourished by the words breathed out by God—they are there so that we might not be lacking anything (2 Tim. 3:16). Answers and wisdom for specific families and children may be sought out in the pages of the Bible. The Word is alive and active and... Continue Reading