Paul expects someone to ask, “Is there unrighteousness with God?” He answers firmly, “God forbid” (Rom. 9:14). Paul explains that God has total freedom to show mercy on whom he pleases. He quotes the Lord’s statement, “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will... Continue Reading

Believers cannot outsource moral courage to politicians. The sword of the Spirit still belongs to us. While civil rulers restrain evil with law, we confront it with truth. But we must not despise those who bear the temporal sword rightly. Both swords—the spiritual and the civil—are gifts from the same God.   When wolves prowl... Continue Reading

The long-running conflict between science and religion was entirely unnecessary. The Bible affirms the goodness of God’s creation in multiple passages. Genesis 1 describes the cosmos as a glorious Temple built for the fellowship of God and man. Psalm 19 argues that the beauty and order of creation points us to the Divine Artist behind it. Job 28 encourages human curiosity... Continue Reading

Paul reminds us that whatever we do, and he uses eating and drinking as the principle example, we are to do to the glory of God. This is why we ought to give thanks for our meals.   Unlike the beasts, who eat from pure creaturely instinct, man eats on the basis of God’s permission.... Continue Reading

There are many connections we have to people and groups, but the most important one and the one that governs every other connection is our connection to God.   Some people feel alone and wish they had a sense of belonging to some group. We sometimes see the extreme of this with someone who is... Continue Reading

My theory, if you can call it that, is that the Lord gives those suffering for his name supernatural joy and courage in the midst of persecution. Not only do I think God brings us divine strength, courage, and faith if we’re killed for his sake, but the testimonies of Christians who were martyred bring... Continue Reading

The Lord will accomplish his purposes in his church for her good, he doesn’t need me for that. He may, in his graciousness, be pleased to use me to that end in some way, but they’re his purposes and down to him that they come to pass. He’ll manage to do them with or without... Continue Reading

And death on a cross for me! Death on a cross for you! Why is the rich One hanging penniless and possession-less on a cross? Why is He now so poor and humbled? Because God loved the world. Christ is hanging on the cross because He is busy inheriting your debt. He is dying in... Continue Reading

When we talk about God’s glory, we are talking about everything that comes from God and everything God is. For example, God’s greatness, goodness, power, and love are all part of his glory and are called “attributes” (Isa. 42:8; Rom. 11:36). While we can’t see God, we can see at least some of his glory... Continue Reading

Some will say that the causes are too complex for moral clarity, that the violence is part of wider struggles over resources, and that religion is only one lens. That is partly true. But complexity is no excuse for moral opacity. Even where motives are mixed, when terror groups or militias deliberately attack communities identifiable... Continue Reading