Humans: The Image and Likeness of God
We must turn to the biblical text and revisit how we should think of “image and likeness” theologically.
“Image” and “likeness” are terms that signify our uniqueness and dignity before God, and the representative role we play for the entire creation as God’s servant priest-kings. The terms are holistic referring to humans as a whole, that indicate a vertical relationship between humans and God that can be described in terms of obedient sonship,... Continue Reading
The Word of the King
From the moment of creation to the present day, the Word of the King remains central to all reality.
The Word of the King is the source of all creation, the means of revelation, the authority by which we live, and the power by which we are saved. From the first “Let there be light” to the final “It is finished,” the King’s Word accomplishes all things. The King speaks, and the world... Continue Reading
When the Creator Wore Sandals
The Gospel of Mark points to the identity of its central character.
Mark gives a vivid portrayal of Jesus in His full humanity…he has given us an authentic picture of Jesus as “God with sandals on.” In Jesus, the Creator of the universe has become local. Most New Testament scholars agree that Mark was the first of the four gospel accounts to be written. Mark’s gospel... Continue Reading
Bible Characters: From Ruth to Christ
The Lord God brings the far off into His family, gives them an inheritance, and builds a kingdom through them.
As much as the story of Ruth and Boaz sounds like a fairy tale, it is our story too. God’s redemption is for the far-off, the marginalized, and the outsider. He spreads His wings over us, at great cost to Himself purchases us, and gives us a kingdom and an inheritance. Like Ruth, we are... Continue Reading
Only Christ
Subtle distortions of the truth—lies that slowly chip away at the foundation—are much more dangerous than blatant heresies.
The wisdom of the world will enslave you, but what appears to the world to be the foolishness of the cross of Christ will set you free: For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians... Continue Reading
Andrew Tate or Panda Express: Which Way Young Man?
What a fast-food debate tells us about masculinity, social class, and Spiritual Boomerism.
It’s important to reject the simplistic narratives of Spiritual Boomerism and engage more seriously on these issues in ways that take account of the truth that’s in those narratives, but also recognize the complexities of life and society today. And ways that have a sense of empathy and genuine concern for the young people in... Continue Reading
Don’t Become a Fallen Pastor
Rather than pointing a finger at my brother’s weakness, am I soberly reminded that I may be similarly tempted?
When grief comes at the news of a fallen brother, don’t waste it. Look at your patterns and habits. Look at your walk. Look at your marriage. Look at your relationships. Look at your time alone. Be ruthless in dealing with anything the Spirit graciously exposes that might be a tipping point into moral failure.... Continue Reading
Sorrows Are Normal for Now
What to Expect on Your Journey Home
The true grace of God for your journey home is not ease and comfort, but many sorrows and suffering here — expected, designed, limited, and rewarded — endured in faith, mindful of God and Jesus Christ, and with inexpressible and glorified joy. Which leads to boundless, uninterrupted bliss when we’re finally home. As I... Continue Reading
More That We Ask or Imagine
There is so much more available to us as believers.
I love the idea that God is quite willing and able to do more than I ask for, more than I can even imagine. I far too often doubt his ability and question his plans for me. I let the circumstances all around me define how much faith and trust I have, instead of looking... Continue Reading
What Is the Priesthood of All Believers?
We confess His name, give our lives as a living sacrifice, and fight against sin—as prophets, priests, and kings.
The priesthood of all believers is a very important doctrine that says all believers are called to be witnesses of Christ, and all of us share in Christ’s ministries. We are called by Christ and empowered and anointed by his Spirit to be prophets in our society, to be priests in our society, and to... Continue Reading
How Do I Know I’m Not Working in My Own Strength?
In Christ, we are new creations, born again, empowered to live the Christian life. And because we are working from salvation and not for salvation, our work is no longer to gain favor with God, but simply to please Him (Colossians 1:10). God is at work in us who believe (Phil 2:13). He empowers us... Continue Reading
The 90/10 Principle
90% of the minister’s life is taken up with the care and concern of the members his flock, while approximately 10% of their lives are involved with the pastor or their fellow church members.
Often your pastor is carrying around other people’s burdens that he cannot, for many good and godly reasons, share with you….There is a part of the calling of Christian ministry that must be done in the silence of the prayer closet….90% of his life is taken up with what may be 10% of yours. This... Continue Reading
Stronger than Samson
Jesus is, without a doubt, the greater Samson.
Sampson’s story is amazing, for sure. It’s a warning to us all not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to, and to take heed that we fall not into the great sins that Samson did. But there are several ways in which the story makes us long for a true Savior who... Continue Reading
How to Conquer Sin (with the Right Light)
Stepping into Jesus’s light is stepping into life itself.
Friend, true freedom doesn’t come when we’ve successfully hidden; it comes when we’re found out but still accepted and cherished through God’s gracious love. Run to the true Light—Jesus himself—and find the forgiveness and freedom you long for in him. My friends Ben and Paige have a 3-year-old named Ruth who loves playing hide-and-seek.... Continue Reading
Identifying Our Parenting Idols
We are likely to have an idol of the day, even an idol of the moment, seeking to take control of our heart.
We can make an idol out of anything; so can our kids. But until we start to spot the idols in our lives, we can’t help our children see the false sources they turn to. Evaluating why we do what we do helps us identify our idols and subsequently turn from them. The concept... Continue Reading
Scopes Monkey Trial Then and Now
Book Review—"Keeping the Faith: God, Democracy, and the Trial That Riveted a Nation," by Brenda Wineapple
Wineapple, the author, tries to parallel Bryan with today’s “Christian nationalists”… [she] stresses that southern segregationists opposed teaching evolution while also admitting that black Christians largely agreed. The Scopes Monkey Trial was about two opposing forms of progressivism. Both claimed to defend the vulnerable. Bryan and Darrow in the end were too absolutist to find... Continue Reading
7 Things the Holy Spirit Does in and for Our Salvation
The Holy Spirit enables us to believe in the promises of God.
Ephesians 1:13–14 states that in Christ we “were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it.” A seal in the ancient world did three things: it authenticated, it secured, and it marked ownership. All three elements are probably in view here. The seal of... Continue Reading
Finding Joy in Bible Reading
If someone you love deeply spoke to you, wouldn’t you want to listen?
Countless people through history would have loved to have the access to God’s word that we enjoy today. We can read and we have it (most of the time) in our own language. We can afford it; we can get access for free on our phones or the internet. We have it in audio form... Continue Reading
Looking To The Lord
It is easy in our busy world of constant distraction and constant connection to allow our focus to fall from Christ to the problems of this world.
Keep your burdens before the Throne of Grace. Prayer is an essential part of trusting the Lord in difficult times. In prayer, we unburden ourselves from our issues and give them to the Lord. This reminds us that the Lord hears, knows, and acts for us, His people. Trust in the LORD with all... Continue Reading
Jesus’ Gospel Summary in 12 Words
The essence of the gospel announcement is that Jesus now rules his kingdom in authority.
Jesus didn’t just say to make disciples. He also gave his own brief summary of the announcement that is the core of the gospel we are to use in making disciples: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (28:18). There, in 12 words, is Jesus’ gospel summary that needs to... Continue Reading
The Eternity We Seek
“The best moment of the Christian’s life is his last one, because it is the one that is nearest heaven.” (Spurgeon)
Jesus changed the meaning of death for those who follow him. Death is no longer the wages of sin. The atoning death and victorious resurrection of Jesus Christ has forever changed the face of the last enemy. Christ has made death a friend to be embraced, unafraid. Death has now become the doorway to eternal... Continue Reading
The Remarkable Conversion of Charles Spurgeon
“Young man, look to Jesus Christ. Look! Look! Look! You have nothin’ to do but to look and live.”
“He looked at me under the gallery, and I daresay, with so few present, he knew me to be a stranger. Just fixing his eyes on me, as if he knew all my heart, he said, “Young man, you look very miserable.” Well, I did; but I had not been accustomed to have remarks made... Continue Reading
A New Me In Christ
I will continue being a new creation in Christ, walking the newness of life to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
God’s people aren’t just saved by some benign but far-off deity. Rather, we are saved by the Incarnate God who unites us to Himself. He is a personal, knowable God who personally saves His people to Himself, literally unites Himself to His people. How can I pray to God as my Father? Union with Christ.... Continue Reading
How To Get Fired For Good
I’m confident that if more young leaders were guided through being fired in the kiln of adversity, fewer would flame out or need to be fired from their ministry positions.
Rest assured, a slow and steady pace of ministry will afford you ample opportunities for affliction and adversity. Simply let the Lord lead you at his pace as you labour to understand his word and do what it says as you lead his people. If you do this, there will be no need to go... Continue Reading
How Are We to Use the Law: Let Me Count the Ways, Pt 1
The law and the gospel are not enemies. They complement each other.
As you reflect on the first use of the law, consider how it has worked in your life. Have you allowed it to reveal your sin and lead you to Christ? Or are you still clinging to self-righteousness, hoping your efforts will suffice? The law’s purpose is not to condemn you to hopelessness but to... Continue Reading
One Shot, One Book, One God: Apologetics and the Unity of Scripture
Just as Christ stands in the midst of the eternal covenant—the one mediator between God and man—so too He stands in the midst of all Scripture.
Christians must never underestimate the importance of the body of Messianic signs, especially OT types and prophecies. The signs draw the Scriptures into a wondrous Christo-centric unity. They are a chorus of witnesses, singing of the divine Prophet, Priest and King. Because of them, we see that the Old Testament confirms the New, and that... Continue Reading
The Success of the Great Commission: Probing a Postmillennial Presupposition
The apostles fulfilled the GC, and its ongoing success will continue to deepen and widen until the Lord returns.
The Great Commission, together with the parables of the mustard seed and the leaven, engenders confidence that “the Kingdom of God increases, stage upon stage, to the end of the world.” But neither Matthew 28:18–20 nor any other Scripture stipulates the degree to which “the universal circumference of the Gospel’s triumph,” fully inscribed by the... Continue Reading
The Christian and Conflict in the Extended Family – Part I
Even when family members are hard to love, the Bible calls for patience, whether they be believers or not.
The Christian’s relationship to his parents is based on his relationship to God. Because God has placed these specific parents in their lives, any other behavior expressed in the horizontal way (between people) involves a vertical aspect (between God and man) as well. It is God’s will to have these imperfect families knit together. ... Continue Reading
Fire Thrown Upon the Earth
Repentance and the judgments of God.
When disasters befall our nation, our primary focus should not be to engage in minute speculation about who is being judged but to take stock of one’s own spiritual state and the spiritual state of the nation as a whole. In other words, we must be careful not to miss the reason God works his... Continue Reading
The Christian’s Code of Conduct: Romans 12:9–21
Whatever one does with this passage’s verbs, structure, and topics, it is a “Christian honor code".
As nice as it would be to chop our passage into two sections—one dealing with believers (Rom 12:9–16) and the other with unbelievers (Rom 12:17–21)—is that Rom 12:14 also deals with unbelievers. Why does Paul put this verse about how to relate to unbelievers in the midst of a section that is more about how... Continue Reading