Isn't there joy on the face of the child in the cover photo? Too often, we are afraid we can't find that joy in the pages of Scripture. We feel bogged down, confused, and weary after attempting to read the hills and valleys of words within. Yet, within the pages of Scripture, there lies an … Continue reading The Unexpected Joy in Learning to Read the Bible
Applicational Theology
What Is the Bible?
Bart Ehrman, a prolific agnostic author and professor poses a question to his students each semester he begins his course over the Bible at the secular university at which he teaches. Ehrman has summarized the routine as follows: "So, part of the deal of teaching in the Bible Belt is that lots of my students … Continue reading What Is the Bible?
Why Can I Trust My Bible?
Why can I trust my Bible? In 2013, Macklemore released Same Love, a song with a political plea for the neutrality of gender and the propagation of “love.” In the song, Macklemore does two things. First, he attacks the authority of Scripture, “America the brave Still fears what we don't know And God loves all … Continue reading Why Can I Trust My Bible?
Which Words Are God’s Words?
What books belong in the Bible? How do we know we have the right books in the Bible? Do we have an authoritative list of books, or a list of authoritative books? With so many today (even pastors) questioning the authority of the Bible, this question is more valuable than ever. The questions we will … Continue reading Which Words Are God’s Words?
How Do We Know Who God Is?
“If you were God, how would you tell a human who you are?” A difficult question made even more difficult by the very fact that we are not God. Depending on the culture and gifting of a person, they would reveal themselves differently. Some might use music. Others might use a movie. Yet, God has … Continue reading How Do We Know Who God Is?
Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room
Christmas creates all sorts of feelings. Just hearing the word “Christmas” can stir all sorts of emotions. What my wife would call “warm fuzzies” seem to be the center of Christmas for the majority of the world. It is about a feeling. It is about emotions. It is about all the warm fuzzies that the … Continue reading Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room
When We Think God is Not “With Us”
A few months ago, I listened to a sermon by a prominent evangelical pastor in which he referenced the words “God with us” as among the foremost of the goals of God and the storyline of Scripture. The goal of this post is to give a brief understanding of what he means behind these words. … Continue reading When We Think God is Not “With Us”
How to Kill Sin: Christ & Church (Part 4)
Now on post four of our five-part series on killing sin, we see how Christ and the church can help us in our battle against sin. Remember John Owen's words, "Be killing sin, or sin be killing you." Christ as Helper Temptations will come. Yet, Christ, who has won the battle bringing us to victory … Continue reading How to Kill Sin: Christ & Church (Part 4)
How to Kill Sin: Declaring War (Part 3)
This is post three of five in the series on killing sin. Refer back to Post 1 and Post 2. We have now gained a working definition of both sin and temptation. Now we will see what Scripture tells us of declaring war against sin. Note: this is not a practical "how-to" guide, but understanding … Continue reading How to Kill Sin: Declaring War (Part 3)
I Am a Mocker
Holy Week – or Passion Week – is a very emotional week for my wife and I, for we always try to read the Scripture corresponding to the day that Christ was in that week. Thus we can gain a sense of how things played out at a chronological level. Chronological Bible reading is the most … Continue reading I Am a Mocker
