Whether we’re weathering a tempest or plodding through a desert we need hope, and nothing gives us hope like God’s Word. He pledges to be with us when we pass through floods and flames. He guarantees he’ll give us a future and a hope. He promises to comfort and strengthen, to be faithful, and watch... Continue Reading

Jesus came from the Father full of grace and truth. All grace, all truth, all the time. But he didn’t come simply to give us an example of grace and truth.  He came to save us in grace and truth.  It’s only after we’ve been saved and made right with God, the God says, “Alright,... Continue Reading

Theology does matter. It matters in our every day. It forms and shapes our beliefs and our thoughts. It carries us through the challenges of life. So learn. Grow. Seek understanding and wisdom. Study Scripture to learn as much as you can about who God is, who you are, and what he has done for... Continue Reading

Homosexual practice is indeed “the great sexual sin of our day” in this specific sense: It is the worst form of consensual sexual immorality currently being promoted in our society. Our culture doesn’t yet promote bestiality, which is worse. Nor does it promote to the same degree adult-consensual incest, polyamory, or adultery, three severe offenses that are... Continue Reading

But, there is no third way. A church will either believe and teach that same-sex behaviors and relationships are sinful, or it will affirm them. Eventually, every congregation in America will make a public declaration of its position on this issue. It is just a matter of time (and for most churches, not much time)... Continue Reading

But I am here to let you know there is hope. Though the healing journey is long, it is possible. When I tell my own story now, it feels like I’m sharing about another person’s sexual abuse. I’ve experienced profound healing. It didn’t happen passively or quickly. I had to WANT it, pursue it. I had to stop... Continue Reading

Just like the Corinthian church, a big problem with the cult of celebrity today is that we are admiring men to a level that is inappropriate. Worship is to be given to God alone, and it is God who blesses a ministry in the way that he pleases. As Paul said, “I planted, Apollos watered,... Continue Reading

A couple of weeks ago I quoted David Helm and his concern with lectio divina. His concern is exactly this—that lectio divina may too quickly move from the top of the triangle to the bottom-right. It moves from one corner to the other through prayer, meditation and contemplation, but in all of that may not adequately account for the distance between... Continue Reading

Because God is God he usually does not tell us what he is going to do, and he is not reliant on our plans, procedures and programmes. Our task is to follow Jesus, to return to his Word and to stand amazed in humility as we see what he does. There is a famine of... Continue Reading

The Reformation leaders (AD 1517–1700) believed the Bible is the final authority (sola scriptura). The Reformers rejected allegorization and returned toward a literal, grammatical-historical interpretation. Martin Luther (1483–1546) and John Calvin (1509–1564) argued that the earth was created in six 24-hour days, fewer than 6,000 years in the past. Luther said, “We know from Moses... Continue Reading