The Scriptures aren’t given so we can have a knowledge of names, numbers and details. They’re given so that we might know and love the living God, understand his covenant relationship with us, behold the glory of his Son, and walk before him in faith and obedience.    Who was Malchus? If you grew up... Continue Reading

Grief, loneliness, waiting—these feelings and experiences of wanting and lacking are all a gift from God. They show us our lack of control and our need for help outside ourselves. When we make it our goal—always unspoken—to avoid any trace of these feelings, we lose a powerful guide. We reject pictures and lessons from God... Continue Reading

In prayer, heavy burdens become light, weakness is met with strength, and despair turns to joy. When we release responsibility for the church’s holiness back to Jesus, where it belongs, rejoicing can begin.   Dave was a pastor’s pastor. About midway through his message, he said something that alarmed me: “After stepping away from three... Continue Reading

Because we entrust ourselves to this Savior, we neither attempt to control death as the world does nor “grieve as others do who have no hope” (1 Thess. 4:13). We face death honestly, soberly—even tearfully—but not hopelessly.   We do not do death well. We avoid it. We deny it. We even pretend we can... Continue Reading

It has long been the case that laxer forms of religion have declined while more demanding forms have grown or at least declined more slowly. The divide within this segment of Gen Z seems to be even more pronounced. This group will not be interested in churches that accommodate themselves to American culture. The seeker-sensitive... Continue Reading

In the United States, many pastors never speak of God’s discipline or God’s judgment. God expects pastors to care for people’s souls. We must do so in a Biblical way. Sin is rebellion against the King of the universe. It is disrespect for his person. Despite such disrespect, God still loves people. He does forgive... Continue Reading

Though he is a devil masquerading as an angel of light, he would oppose transgender men who masquerade as women; he would oppose gender ideology. He would also claim to hate homosexual “marriages” and threats to traditional families, despite his support for his homosexual friends’ producing children through IVF surrogacy. He would say all the things... Continue Reading

If I know that Scripture calls leaders to sober accountability and careful shepherding, then I cannot ignore it when leadership becomes vague where clarity is needed. If I know that Scripture commands me to rightly divide the Word of truth, then I cannot excuse my own passivity by saying, “I was only following the pastor.”... Continue Reading

Goldilocks wanted porridge that was “just right” — not too hot, not too cold. However, the fairy tale does not have a happy ending. In the end, Goldilocks is confronted by the three bears and runs away into the forest. The EPC’s “just right” middle way has held the denomination together for 45 years, but... Continue Reading

The church is called to preach the gospel, show mercy, care for the needy, and love the stranger. Individual Christians can and should find ways to help immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers through charity, ministry, and hospitality, but should never break the law in doing so.   Immigration is one of the most emotionally charged... Continue Reading