The Relationship Between Corporate Worship and Pastoral Care
As the covenant people gather to render praise to God, they also receive his grace through word and sacrament.
Pastoral counseling is a very important means of pastoral care. But corporate worship is a most necessary component for the care of souls. Not only does pastoral counseling guide God’s people toward fuller worship of him, corporate worship is the primary means through which God strengthens his hurting, grieving, broken and trembling sheep in this... Continue Reading
Book Briefs: Samuel Rutherford (Bitesize Biographies) by Richard Hannula
Samuel Rutherford is perhaps the best known Scottish Puritan. But his life and history seem not to be as widely remembered as other Puritan ministers.
Rutherford was influential as a member of the Scottish delegation to the Westminster Assembly in London, which gave to the church the most enduring English confession, the Westminster Confession of Faith. He played a part in its shape, defending a Presbyterian form of church government. He also helped work on the catechisms. Samuel Rutherford... Continue Reading
Self-Identity and God-Centered Relationships
Two ways sinners distort God’s design for relationships with improper views of self and others.
Rather than approaching relationships with an eye toward how they make us feel, as those created in God’s image and being conformed more and more to the image of Christ, we can approach our relationships with others (spouses, children, co-workers, neighbors, friends, family members, etc.) with an eye toward glorifying God in our love and... Continue Reading
So They are Back in the News (Yet Again): Adam and Eve and All That
A book by Wheaton Old Testament Professor John H. Walton will upend many traditional – or certainly "evangelical" – ideas about Adam and Eve.
Many evangelicals believe in “de novo” creation, a quick and complete formation of all species including homo sapiens, rejecting evolutionary development from common ancestors. Walton asserts that the Bible “does not necessarily make a de novo claim for human origins.” His proposed scenario could include “some theory of evolution” as compatible with the Bible, he... Continue Reading
Weak Faith, True Faith!
The truth of the gospel is that because Christ is a strong Savior, even a weak faith saves.
Christians should desire a strong faith in Christ and his promises; it is biblical for God’s people to pray and strive for robust faith in the Lord. However, our faith is imperfect since we are not yet fully sanctified. We struggle with doubts, fears, questions, and sometimes we lack assurance. Thankfully, the Bible doesn’t teach... Continue Reading
Stealing From God (A Review)
Frank Turek's new book is a brilliant and unique contribution to Christian apologetics
“By definition, Christian apologetics deals with defending the faith and, in the process, marshaling evidence in support of Christianity’s truth claims. “Stealing From God” does that, of course, but it does something else, too. It transitions from defense to offense and turns the tables on the atheist community.” Frank Turek’s new book is a... Continue Reading
Andy Stanley’s Troubling Rules on Love, Sex, and Dating
A review of Stanley's new book, The New Rules for Love, Sex, and Dating
As a pastor, it is disappointing that he avoids Genesis 2, which clearly lays out the purpose of marriage, namely, that it is a covenant relationship between one man, one woman, and God. As hard as it is to admit, America’s most influential pastor will not define or defend the sanctity of marriage because he... Continue Reading
A New Book on Orthodoxy and Heresy in Early Christianity
A review of Paul Hartog's 'Orthodoxy and Heresy in Early Christian Contexts: Reconsidering the Bauer Thesis'
Eighty years ago, Walter Bauer promulgated a bold and provocative thesis about early Christianity. He argued that many forms of Christianity started the race, but one competitor pushed aside the others, until this powerful ”orthodox” version won the day. The victors re-wrote history, marginalizing all other perspectives and silencing their voices, even though the alternatives... Continue Reading
You Read Harry Potter?!
How Christians can read books like Harry Potter in a smart way
We all, atheist and religious alike, long for stories of love and sacrifice, victory snatched from the jaws of defeat. Stories where all evil is banned and justice prevails. It is a longing at the center of every human heart, revealing both a recognition of our limited abilities to make things right and desire for... Continue Reading
America’s Largest Christian Bookstore Chain Files for Bankruptcy
CEO: 'We have carefully and prayerfully considered every option'
“FCS has no plans to ditch “brick and mortar” stores for an online-only presence. “Some could say that ‘brick and mortar’ retail is not relevant, but our new management believes differently,” states its FAQ. “Our plan is make the necessary investments to our stores, diversify our product lines and craft a strong retail strategy that... Continue Reading
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 171
- 172
- 173
- 174
- 175
- …
- 240
- Next Page »