If the law terrifies us and seems burdensome, Valdés explained, it’s because we don’t understand the gospel. “There can’t be any fear in the soul that actively and effectively points his eyes on the crucified Christ, considering with full Christ’s satisfaction and payment in his stead.”   Giulia Gonzaga’s early life sounds like a fairy... Continue Reading

There isn’t one type of interim that is best for all churches. Each type of interim brings something specific to the table. The key is to determine which is best for your church to take it to the next level of ministry and mission. For many, the term ‘interim’ brings to mind negative feelings of... Continue Reading

For Warfield, the Christian must start with the understanding that God has revealed Himself. If God has revealed Himself, particularly in His Word, then we are beholden to that Word. Thus, Warfield rejected the notion that we could bring our modernist thinking to dictate terms to what Scripture can and cannot be. In fact, one... Continue Reading

Insecurity creates a lack of clarity. Insecurity fights against clarity because an insecure leader is afraid to declare a direction. People may not like it, after all. Or the leader could be wrong. So the insecurity creates confusion and paralysis.   Insecurity must not be confused with humility. Insecurity, like pride, is a focus on... Continue Reading

I was dead in my transgressions, but God made me alive together with Christ; my salvation was a completely passive endeavor:  “…God…made us alive….” It suddenly made perfect sense to me that the word grace was mentioned in direct connection to my being made alive in Christ:  I was dead and had to be made... Continue Reading

“I cared nothing but to love and be loved. But my love went beyond the affection of one mind for another, beyond the arc of the bright beam of friendship. Bodily desire, like a morass, and adolescent sex welling up within me exuded mists which clouded over and obscured my heart, so that I could... Continue Reading

He was one of the most famous athletes of modern times and the Olympic glory of Scotland. He was also a Christian who refused to compete on Sunday and refused to compromise. Unquestionably, Eric Liddell was made to run. And yet, more than anything else, Eric Liddell believed that “God made me for China.”  ... Continue Reading

Still, Luther had no intention of withdrawing from the Roman Catholic Church, let alone starting a new branch of Christianity. He only wanted a return to the sources, rather than relying on tradition. Luther would later recall, “When I was twenty years old, I had not yet seen a Bible.” This he considered unacceptable. He... Continue Reading

High-quality relationships can actually offset some of the negative developmental effects of social problems. This is important because while we may actually be unable to eliminate chronic stress in the lives of many children, we may be able to build their resiliency levels through high-quality relationships. This does not negate the importance of combating those... Continue Reading

“The ancient cathedrals, churches and abbeys of Europe are full of stained glass, statuary, plaques, engravings, and prominent tombs for often infamous monarchs, warriors, prelates and statesmen. They would not be so honored today, but their memorials of past centuries are left largely undisturbed, as art, as historical artifacts, and as reminders of human depravity.”... Continue Reading