Fourth, doctrine leads to unity. I once attended a church where I heard a pastor use that old phrase, “Doctrine divides.” He told the church that the path to unity was to hold a very low and basic level of doctrine, because he was convinced that knowledge would breed arrogance and division. But he was... Continue Reading

It’s not just homosexuality that needs to be confronted. It’s an entire mindset. The gospel directly confronts these “virtues” and defines them as the vices they really are. What we need in our day is a robust gospel. One that has God at the center instead of man. One that is willing to suffer for... Continue Reading

At its heart, hospitality is sharing life. But the way I’ve sometimes practiced it, it’s been more of a barrier to a shared life than a bridge. Elaborate food, a spotless house, a frazzled me. Sometimes I can Pinterest-ize even my hospitality—presenting a lovely outward picture while I stand stressed and sweating behind the scenes.... Continue Reading

Most of us doubtless want to distance ourselves from what might be regarded as “the lunatic fringe” of contemporary Christianity. We are on our guard against being led astray by false teachers. But there is more to discernment than this. True discernment means not only distinguishing the right from the wrong; it means distinguishing the... Continue Reading

This headline seems a bit redundant. After all, I’m a Christian and, of course, I’d love Christian music. But this is not always the case. In fact if you listen to a lot of the conversations young Christians are having today, you’d find that Christian music is a kind of punching bag. It’s fashionable for... Continue Reading

Tomorrow is going to happen one way or another anyway, and we can’t do a thing about it. So focus on today. Seek the kingdom today. Have faith; don’t be of little faith. Have faith that God who provides for sparrows and clothes wild flowers with splendor will be far more lavish with you as... Continue Reading

We suffer from the bane of modern, Western thought: that it is permissible to believe something without doing it and remain consistent. What we must regain in our schools of Bible and theology is a truly comprehensive biblical worldview—one that joins head and heart, body and soul. Then, and only then, will we teach and live a... Continue Reading

We do not need more chances to finally get it right. Jesus was right (righteous, without sin) from all eternity, and in His incarnation He lived the perfect life we could never attain. He died in our place on the cross to propitiate (satisfy) God’s wrath against our sin. He rose from the dead because... Continue Reading

It does not matter how religious a person was, or how devout, how sincere in whatever beliefs they held, how magnanimous they were toward their fellow man, how much the helped our economy, our culture, our country, if they are found outside of Christ, they will be under His condemnation.  They will immediately see that... Continue Reading

What does it mean for God to say “I regret”? Can God change his mind? Can we thwart God’s plans? Is God ignorant about the future? Is God just like us in that he makes honest mistakes and sometimes look back at his decisions and says, “Golly, I wish I could do that one over... Continue Reading