The 6 Ingredients Of Jesus’ Bitter Cup
Isaac Ambrose captured so well the meaning of the cup when he set out what he believed to be the 6 ingredients that made it so burdensome a sight to the soul of the sinless Son of God
“The wrath of God himself: this (above all) was the most bitter dreg; it lay in the bottom, and Christ must drink it also: ‘Oh! the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger;’ Lam. 1:12. God afflicts some in mercy, and some in anger; this was in his anger, and yet in... Continue Reading
Facts, Evidence, Wisdom, And Gossip
There is more to knowing the truth than assembling facts
“There is an interplay between perception, facts, and the web of convictions in which everyone makes sense of things. My perception of the world changed when, by the Spirit of God, I was changed. I understood things I had not heretofore understood or began to understand them in a way I had not. In a... Continue Reading
Had Sex, Dumped Jesus: The Spiritual Perils of Immorality
The Christian faith says a few rather firm things about sexual conduct. Our culture, on the other hand, thinks anything goes
“It’s impossible to simultaneously maintain yes and no around matters sexual. It creates cognitive dissonance. So, there’s been a widespread move to shed that no along with various articles of clothing. It’s definitely worked. The sexual revolution, says Berger, “has been very successful in changing the mores and the law. It should not be surprising... Continue Reading
Do I Blaspheme In My Home?
We and our children will make sinful choices in our lives and by doing so will blaspheme Him
“Too often we think God’s commandment, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain,” deals only with spoken blasphemy. However, Ezekiel shows us a broader application. God charges the prophet to confront Israel with their disobedience: idolatry, Sabbath breaking, and a disregarded of God’s law. God views these transgressions as... Continue Reading
Supreme Court Allows Gay Marriage To Expand To 30 States
The Supreme Court refused to get involved in the national debate over same-sex marriage, leaving intact lower court rulings that will legalize the practice in 11 additional states
The action will bring to 30 the number of states where gays and lesbians can marry. Appeals courts in Cincinnati and San Francisco are considering cases that could expand that number further, presuming the Supreme Court remains outside the legal fray. WASHINGTON (RNS) The Supreme Court refused to get involved in the national debate over... Continue Reading
Jason Stellman’s Unmitigated Disaster
A response to Stellman’s comments after 2 years in Roman Catholicism
Of course—how else could it be? Apostasy has consequences. You abandon your vows, deny the gospel of grace, embrace the Papal system and promote it by your speeches and writings, and think you will be welcome in the church you almost single-handedly crippled? Your very presence would be divisive, troubling, and distracting even if you... Continue Reading
Is Complementarian Just Another Word for Patriarchy?
It shouldn't be. Unfortunately, there is often not as much differentiation between complementarian views and patriarchal ones as there should be.
First, I think it’s important to note that there is considerable confusion over the definition of terms. There are many people who claim the term complementarian often with significant differences over what they think that means. Because of that it can be difficult to determine what a “complementarian” believes simply based on the label. I... Continue Reading
The Judgment Seat of Christ
On that day, how will we respond?
When human history finally comes to a conclusion, and all the people of all time stand up before the final throne of judgment, I imagine there will be two overall responses. The first response will be complete and utter joy on the part of those who are found in Christ. The other response will be... Continue Reading
10 Dangerous Distractions for a Pastor
What should we be guarding against?
Sacrificing truth for popularity. It’s easy to preach the easy stuff. Grace messages are pleasant to share and popular to receive. And we need them. Where sin increases—grace should increase all the more. But we need truth. Even when it is unpopular. Making disciples becomes impossible when we sacrifice either one—truth or grace. I encounter... Continue Reading
A Woman’s Worth
How can I draw my identity and worth from what God says and not from the lies of the culture?
Women and men have exactly the same worth—they are made in God’s image with equal value. Together they more fully reflect the God who created them than does either alone. Out of nothing (Hebrew word bara) God created male and female in his own image and likeness. God not only gave women inherent worth, he... Continue Reading