The euthanasia debate in American Protestantism emerged from the aftermath of the Scopes Monkey Trial and was prompted by many of the same characters. The trial, staged in Dayton, Tennessee, over educator John Scopes’ alleged violation of Tennessee’s Butler Act, which barred public school teachers from teaching evolution, was a microcosm of the debate between... Continue Reading

“Amazing Grace” couldn’t be a better song for this vibe-shift moment. The third verse sums up the emotion of being graciously preserved or plucked from the pit: “Through many dangers, toils and snares / I have already come: / ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, / And grace will lead me home.” If... Continue Reading

Saul confesses his sin, imitating Aaron in the golden calf incident and citing fear of man (v. 24). But the king of Israel is to fear the LORD over man, for what can flesh do to him? The judgment upon Saul is that, rejected by the LORD, he will no longer be heard by God... Continue Reading

One of the remarkable truths of Christ’s work at the Cross is that Christ bore the sin of all of His people, and He bore the holy wrath and justice of God toward His people. This is what is referred to as substitutionary atonement–Christ died in the place of sinners. Another wondrous truth is that... Continue Reading

Your faith is weak, and so He trusted Himself to the Judge who judges justly. Your sins are great and many, and so He bled in your place. Your chains held you fast, and so He broke them asunder. All this was done through a horrific death.   Here, with a loaf of bread and... Continue Reading

Imagine, even though the disciples are with Jesus, even though they have seen him miraculously provide food, even though they know better, the disciples still worry about simple provision. How like them are we?   Mark 8:4 And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?”... Continue Reading

If you’re waiting for God to answer a prayer, too, I trust He is teaching you something in your meantime. I’m reminded daily that God’s calendar is not my calendar. What seems like a long time to me is hardly long for an eternal God. He is never hurried nor late, never worried nor uncaring,... Continue Reading

By God’s grace, even in such deep sorrow, I came to understand that God was faithful and worthy of my trust in this dark valley—whether he answered my plea or not. Christians, our hope must be in the God who answers prayer, not in the answer we think we want to our prayers.   Trials.... Continue Reading

As Jesus did with the rich man (v. 18), he now makes clear to his disciples that, left to ourselves, ‘this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God’ (v. 27). God’s kingdom completely upends the economy of this world. And the shameful death of Jesus on the cross is its... Continue Reading

When you interact with others, do you speak of Jesus as if you were dying? If you’re dead, no scorn can touch you, no persecutor’s torments hurt. No jail can keep the dead locked up. “We died before we came here!” declared Stephen Foreman[1].   Have you ever tried to life your life like you... Continue Reading