My Top 10 Theology Stories of 2024
2024 brought many surprises, some of them welcome for the church.
Wherever the cultural winds are blowing, thanks to the Lord, we can be “steadfast, immovable” (1 Cor. 15:58). So don’t be anxious about the news as you read this annual retrospective, where I attempt to discern the top theology stories of the year. As always, I write from the vantage point of an American who... Continue Reading
2 Truths to Help Navigate Doctrinal Disagreement with Other Christians
Not every doctrinal hill is worth dying on.
This side of heaven, we see through a glass dimly. It’s just reality. We’re not going to agree on everything. And so we’ll have some different traditions, different churches, different denominations. But I think there’s a way to still love each other when we share the orthodox evangelical faith together without setting aside those differences.... Continue Reading
Waist-Deep in War: The Legacy of a Hero
Culture Warrior: Don Wildmon and the Battle for Decency fully documents what Wildmon did throughout his lifetime to strengthen the moral foundations of society.
AFA Vice President Wesley Wildmon believes his grandfather’s unwavering obedience to God was the cornerstone of the legacy he wanted the film to convey – especially for the sake of AFA’s faithful listeners and supporters. “We hope that viewing this documentary,” Wesley stated, “will help them re-fan the flame to continue doing what we are all... Continue Reading
Scandals in the Church and the Spirit of Accusation
Never look to man, they will let you down — look to God, He never will.
One thing is certain: Leaders need to be more forthright and admit their sin. People would respect them a lot more and it would set a good example. Leaders not only lead by example with integrity but also with repentance. We must provide a safe haven for those with issues, and instill an open-door policy where members... Continue Reading
Now’s the Time to Consider a New Year’s Resolution
Make a New Years resolution that is grounded in truth.
For the one who has been downcast and not seeking the Lord’s help. “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4) For the one who has been anxious and not taking those anxieties to the Lord. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving... Continue Reading
“Christ is Faithful” Hebrews 3:1-19 (An Exposition of the Book of Hebrews–Part Five)
Moses Points Ahead to Christ
The lesson for us is to always keep the promises of the gospel before our eyes. We must be continuously reminded that Jesus is greater than Moses, and the mediator of a better covenant. Yes, Moses was faithful over God’s house, but he could not save Israel from its own unbelief. Yes, Christ is faithful.... Continue Reading
The Bread and the Cup: Beholding Glory
Four Scenes of Glory
The Lord’s Supper sets before us four scenes of glory: the crucified Son of God,2 our risen Lord seated above at the Father’s right hand,3 Christ with His people on earth,4 and the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven.5 The Lord’s Supper calls us to respond to God’s work to give glory to His Son, Jesus... Continue Reading
How (Not) to Use AI: Three Principles
I will not let AI thwart the development of my character or the joy of being human.
If you depend on AI to perform certain tasks, you might dull your potential to grow and flourish as an individual endowed with unique strengths and interests. I offer an example from my area of work. I’m a pastor, so at least once every week I’m responsible for researching, writing, and delivering a sermon based... Continue Reading
Merry Christmas from The Aquila Report Staff
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
“In him was life, and the life was the light of men.The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”John 1:4,5 (ESV) May King Jesus rule in your heart and grant you God’s peace. ~ Romans 5:1 Merry Christmas! The Aquila Report Staff
That Baby!
Nothing about the birth, life, and death of Jesus fits the human idea of a hero.
He came to upend life as we knew it and to open the way to the kingdom that is not of this world. He blesses what we despise and declares woes on what we treasure. Movies give us one picture of a hero. ChatGPT puts it like this: Heroes are strong, brave, confident, determined... Continue Reading
On Waiting
The waiting is the gift.
In the waiting we learn to turn to the God of all Comfort, the God who is our food, the God who is broken for us. We learn to long for the age to come. Waiting reorientates our disposition away from this fleeting moment to the eternities to come. I’m experienced at waiting. I... Continue Reading
Emptying Yourself for the Sake of Jesus and Others
Sometimes, when we choose servitude under the submission of God, we will have to be emptied out for His sake in ways we wouldn’t dream of.
The advent season reminds us of what it means to be poured out on behalf of others. When the apostle Paul refers to Christ’s emptying himself, he pulls our gaze first to the baby in the manger (Philippians 2:7). He awoke earlier than the rest of us. The night before had been filled with... Continue Reading
Three Ways to Celebrate Christmas
How would Spurgeon advise someone to spend Christmas day?
Spurgeon helps us navigate the Christmas holiday, whether we choose to participate in the festivities or not, by encouraging us that there are various reasons to gather on this day outside of tradition or superstition. To most modern Western Christians, it might be a surprise to discover that Spurgeon did not celebrate Christmas with... Continue Reading
How to Flourish in the Festive Season as a Follower of Jesus
Deliberately make much of our Lord Jesus in the company of those who don’t know Him.
Celebrate Jesus with the world. Tell them he came to the world to “save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Joyfully point to “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). For “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved”... Continue Reading
Three Simple Christmas Reflections
As we enjoy Christmas, let it push us to think of the greater joy that awaits us in Jesus.
God is no killjoy. He wants us to enjoy ourselves. He gives us good gifts so we can enjoy them. But that joy is but a taste of the joy incomparable that is ours in Christ. One day, when Jesus comes again, we will have joy beyond measure. As I’m in the mode of... Continue Reading
The Shadow of The Cross Cast Over The Manger
I would never paint the manger scene without a shadow of the cross stretching over it.
Join me this Christmas in stargazing, contemplating the divine mystery – “God became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1: 14). Such contemplation can have a purifying effect in our lives and help us to set our sights... Continue Reading
Seeing Christ This Christmas
Do you want to know what God is like? Look at Jesus.
It was the ultimate condescension. The Son laying aside His God-powers temporarily and leaving the halls of heaven to inhabit a human body. The greatest work had to be done, and this was the way it had to be accomplished. And now, God was literally with us in flesh and blood. The birth of... Continue Reading
An Interactive Edition of Handel’s Messiah
“Hallelujah: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.”
The gospel, the good news, is news to be shared. Alternating airs and choruses picture the glad tidings of the sounds of this news that Christ lives being preached unto the ends of the world. Those who receive this news in faith are surely blessed. In contrast, the rejection of this news is devasting…what’s the... Continue Reading
He Came to a World Condemned
O root of Jesse.
Jesus Christ is the prophesied sprout from Jesse’s stock. The opening verse of the New Testament designates him as “the son of David” (Matthew 1:1), and his birth in Bethlehem and endowment with the divine Spirit fit the prophetic profile for the messianic king. Yet Jesus is born in a lowly manger, raised in backwoods... Continue Reading
The Theology of the Manger
The fact that God became flesh speaks to us some of the most foundational truths about who God is (and who we are).
If we are to know God, we can look to philosophy, creation, and the cross and the empty tomb, but let us not forget to look to the manger. The story of the birth of Jesus Christ is more than just warm feelings, a nostalgic glow of fuzzy spirituality. The incarnation draws us into the... Continue Reading
Jesus of Nazareth: Why Is This Title Significant?
More than the references to Jesus as “Jesus of Nazareth,” the New Testament is replete with Jesus’ humanity.
Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem in order to fulfill this ancient prophecy. This was the plan God had established before the foundation of the world. Therefore, in accordance with God’s plan, the ruling power of Caeser was used to call for a taxation that would require Joseph and Mary to comply with a... Continue Reading
Don’t Be Jaded by Christmas. Ponder the Virgin Birth.
Review: ‘Conceived by the Holy Spirit’ by Rhyne R. Putman
The New Testament’s description of Christ’s miraculous conception, virgin birth, and childhood are fulfillments of the Old Testament’s hope. This includes hope for the Messiah, for David’s son, for Abraham’s heir, for the seed of woman. It includes hope for the restored temple, for the restored land, and for the restored people of God. As... Continue Reading
A Devotional on the Most Glorious of Birthdays by Charles Spurgeon
Spurgeon’s goal is to lead us to tally up our reasons for being joyful at Christmastime.
Spurgeon’s meditation keeps the focus on the announced subject, which is why we should be supremely happy about the birth of Christ. It is a simple idea, but Spurgeon keeps unfolding more and more nuances, until we begin to think that the subject is inexhaustible. The starting point is the message of the angels to... Continue Reading
The Presence of Advent
Be present with the world because God is present with you.
As much as Advent is a season for gathering with family and friends, for the church it is a missional launching point for us to inhabit and take the gospel to the world. The world sits and waits year after year for a savior. They make functional saviors of sex, power, possessions, comfort, and a... Continue Reading
Christmas Carols and the Value of Remembrance
Songs are an eternal gift from God for our use and an ongoing testament to a God of order, beauty, and purpose.
Music and poetry in the form of song play a significant role in God’s design for His glory and our good. God is delighted to receive His praise not simply from the words of our lips, but in songs—in words set to poetic form, and that to a melody. The beauty of God’s hand in... Continue Reading
What Kind of King? Mark 8:1–10
A king who cruelly kills or a king who compassionately cares?
“How many loaves do you have?” (Mark 8: 5). Jesus does not ask you to resolve all the problems of the world. But as your King he determines the nature of his kingdom. He asks you to have deep and sincere feelings for the needs of the world, to see this faceless mob of humanity... Continue Reading
Reading the Psalter as a Book
“This is the story that no one but the redeemed can sing, so let us engage in tuning our voices to the language of the Psalms ."
The Psalter poetically retells the story of Israel in a way that assures its reader that YHWH directs human history, the entirety of human experience is accounted for, a new Davidic king will return, and a new Zion will accompany him. Each of these perspectives is present throughout Scripture, but they are all enhanced when... Continue Reading
Matthew 1: God with Us in Covenant and Crisis
Out of love for his creation, God wrote himself into the play. The crisis is the reason for Christ’s coming.
“God with us” is more than a nice Christmasy slogan; it is a shocking metaphysical claim. God—infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth—with us—creatures who are definitively not infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in our being (We get old.), wisdom (Are we all wise?), power (We get weak.), holiness... Continue Reading
Letter to a Progressive Christian: Why You Need to Believe in an Infallible Bible
Jesus’ view of scripture must be our view of scripture. If we believe Jesus is wrong, then at whatever point we depart, we’re no longer his disciples.
If one rejects the inspiration of scripture, but still wants to claim to be a Christian, now you’re left with an epistemological dilemma. How can you possibly know what parts of the Bible are inspired and to be believed and obeyed, and which parts can be dismissed? Every solution will be to place yourself or... Continue Reading
A Devotional on the Excellency of Christ Seen in Christmas by Jonathan Edwards
The way in which Edwards gets us to see the complementary sides of the incarnation is subtle and masterful.
Christ’s incarnation was a greater and more wonderful thing than ever had yet come to pass. The creation of the world was a very great thing, but not so great as the incarnation of Christ. It was a great thing for God to make the creature, but not so great as for the Creator himself... Continue Reading