“The Divines were obviously concerned with the teaching and reception of this doctrine – but they were also concerned that it be taught!  Nevertheless, there is something of a pastoral challenge in this last line.  How so?  As pastors and teachers we ought to ask ourselves if our teaching on this high mystery produce praise,... Continue Reading

We were encouraged to examine the views in the light of Scripture, but our teacher would not tell us what to believe, which was a huge eyeopener for me. There was spirited discussion between the opposing views, but when class was over, we were still one, just not necessarily in our eschatology. Even a few weeks ago,... Continue Reading

One of the more prominent issues we see in the church today is a lack of understanding the biblical importance and joy of meaningful local church membership. Many Christians are untaught on the issue. And, it’s one thing to be unaware of the issue, be taught, and then embrace it. It’s quite another, when we... Continue Reading

Immorality is perhaps our generation’s favorite substitute for love. Paul uses the Greek word porneia, which includes every kind of sexual sin. Popular culture desperately tries to blur the line between genuine love and immoral passion. But all such immorality is a total perversion of genuine love because it seeks self-gratification rather than the good... Continue Reading

I find it ironic that many of the current supporters of Donald Trump, including some pastors and Christian leaders, were vocal opponents of Bill Clinton in the 90’s, openly castigating him for his immorality. If character mattered in the case of Bill Clinton (as I believe it did), why doesn’t it matter in the case... Continue Reading

Third, the proposed guidelines would make our school less safe and harm many of the people we are trying to help. Students who struggle with their biological sex and their own sense of gender should be loved and supported. But the SBE Statement only envisions one kind of support: the kind that unilaterally accepts a... Continue Reading

Christian reader, if you are struggling under a sense of guilt and punishment—if your conscience is condemning you before God because of your sin—I entreat you to battle for assurance at the doorstep of the empty tomb. He was raised for your justification! You’re right to feel the pang of sin in your conscience, and... Continue Reading

As  a young seminarian I was told: “You would be crazy to try and preach through the book of Romans without twenty years of pastoral experience.” I trust there is probably wisdom in that. I don’t think it’s mere coincidence that many of those men I regard as great preachers have not preached through Romans... Continue Reading

The zealous laborer will be ever mindful that God is the source of his calling. Because God has placed him in the workplace, the zealous laborer will work not to be seen by men, or only when his boss is looking, but rather, will do all his work as unto the Lord who “hired” him... Continue Reading

“He insists that today’s debates about the sufficiency of Scripture in counseling have been addressed in the past in that confessional statements have not only addressed the sufficiency of Scripture for doctrine, but the sufficiency of Scripture for living the Christian life.”   This is the fourth in a series of blog posts reading through A... Continue Reading