Instead of narrowing and confining life, biblical wisdom makes us strong and stable. Plus, unlike immediate guidance that bypasses Scripture completely, the patient study of God’s written revelation gradually transforms our patterns of thinking and moulds our character. As we will see, it is in order to transform us by the renewing of our minds... Continue Reading

Yet even before and beyond this kind of external, others-oriented needs assessment, we are called to ground our sense of “calling” and “vocation” in obedience to God, first and foremost. The Bible is filled with examples of God calling people to tasks, careers, and vocations that at first seemed largely misaligned with their gifts, talents, and “passions.” From... Continue Reading

Children are very perceptive and can tell if you’re just teaching or reading to them out of duty. They can tell if you’re bored with what you’re reading, or if you are absolutely gripped by it. You may need to ask the Lord to help you to be transfixed by the passage you are reading... Continue Reading

The gospel is not simply the best self-help news out there, nor the hottest parenting or marriage techniques to transform your kids and your communication. It is the message that God, through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Christ, has made a way for sinners to be forgiven and transformed. We have been and are... Continue Reading

With the New Calvinism, the dynamics change and Calvin becomes but a dim shadow. Instead, there is a curious mixture of the Five Points, 16th century Anabaptism, 18th century revivalism, 20th century Pentecostalism, sophisticated marketing, the latest technology, and high-decibel music.   Donald McLeod makes astute observations about the real danger of the so-called New... Continue Reading

It is Orthodox Judaism that isolates Israelis from Palestinians, from Christians, from Muslims and from everyone else. If Jewishness is defined by Orthodox Judaism then Judaism is defined by contrast to Gentiles, then there is little wonder that there are no points of shared universal principles and values which allow for unity between Jews and... Continue Reading

If I were to narrow it down to one indicator that someone is an unbeliever, I would pick foolishness. Foolishness in the Bible is contrasted with wisdom. Wisdom orients itself around the fear of the Lord, seeks to interpret life from the perspective of God, and looks to live life in reference to God.  Foolishness,... Continue Reading

We are often told that we are only being asked to make little a tweak here or there to the Christian understanding of marriage, that gay marriage is just about more marriage for more people. But if the wisdom of the church through the ages tells us anything, it’s that the only way the Christian... Continue Reading

There are so many issues, and so many lines being drawn, and so many places to come down that one needs some kind of list just to keep up. What’s this week’s critical issue? Where do you stand on it? Who’s in? Who’s out? How many checks do you need on the checklist to stay... Continue Reading

My fear – and I don’t think it unreasonable in light of some court decisions in recent litigation – is that I could potentially be opening myself up to action if I refused to perform that duty for same-sex couples. Because of that, I’ll require couples in Charleston County and any other jurisdictions that have... Continue Reading