In ministry life, too, a pastor’s wife must be faithful. If she says she will attend, bring, sing, speak, invite, visit, greet, call, text, help, remember; if she says she will organize or facilitate or teach; if she says she will pray, she must. Even to her own hurt. Because God himself is the faithful... Continue Reading

On Monday, I received a note from a friend here in Michigan that I deeply respect, who, while agreeing with the problems of Evangelicals being too enamored with the political process and their naïvety about the ways politicians want to use them, also wanted to offer some gentle pushback.   Last week I commented on... Continue Reading

Reading the gospel texts we know that we either believe or run away. This is either the greatest truth ever declared, or it is the saddest lie ever told. The Christmas story cannot be reduced to a sentimental tale that gives humanity a warm glow. When the heavenly host declares that Jesus is the Savior... Continue Reading

While the evangelical jury still appears to be out on whether same-sex attraction is in itself sinful, the comments of President Ryken look (at least as reported in World) rather confused.  With regard to same sex attraction, he is quoted as saying that those who use the gay label should “be clear that they do... Continue Reading

In other words, Christian liberty (as with all true liberty!) has boundaries.  Christian liberty is tempered with love for neighbor (think of him/her before our liberty) and self-denial (we don’t need to indulge in this liberty).  If Christian liberty is not tempered with love for neighbor and self-denial, it is more like an immature high... Continue Reading

For those who are born of God and know Him (v 7), His Spirit abides in them (v 13). And, here is John’s conditional statement: Therefore, if the children of God love one another, then God’s love is perfected in us (v 12)! You see, God’s love for you was not intended to find its... Continue Reading

The two natures were united in the tomb, even as his true, rational human soul was temporarily separated him his body in death. The two natures were united in the resurrection and ascension. The incarnation is a great mystery, of course, but we can say what we should say and we should always say that... Continue Reading

It is suggested that Christmas is inappropriate because we do not know the day or date on which Christ was truly born, I would ask whether we may only preach events on the very day of the year in which it historically happened. Obviously this is false, for then we would only preach the cross on Good... Continue Reading

  However, while Paul believed that God “foreordained whatsoever comes to pass”, and that “no one could come to the Father unless the Father draws him,” and also, “many have been called but few have been chosen;” he was not fatalistic. He did not use the sovereign decree of God as an excuse for evangelical passivity. Or... Continue Reading

“I used to think homeschooling was the way to do school. You know, the divinely designed method of schooling. And although I wouldn’t quite come out and say it, I kinda looked down on parents who didn’t homeschool. Why? Because I was a self-righteous idiot who drank a lot of his own awesome sauce.”   I... Continue Reading