2016 was a sobering year for our celebrity-driven culture. A recent CNN article reminded us of the many well known individuals that we lost over the course of the last year. More names have been added just in this past…
For some, John Calvin seems to be at his most feisty when he writes on the sacraments. Against those who complain that infant baptism is a travesty of the Gospel, in the Institutes he stoutly insists, “these darts are aimed more at…
In this short series, I have explored some of the special challenges that come in interpreting the Psalms of lament as Christian scripture. We have seen how this is not an easy task, particularly if we insist upon praying the…
It has happened a few times before. It happened again recently. Someone without a good church gets in touch, referred by a mutual friend. Or someone drops an email asking for advice. Or there is a conversation at a conference…
When ministers and elders gather together, it is usual for them share their ministry burdens with each other. The calling of a minister of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is high and hard; the weightiness of the calling…
Christmas is a time of mystery and wonder. The Virgin Mary was told by the angel that she would conceive and bear a son: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow…
Regard for the Lord’s Day is on a steep decline, and, sadly, has been for quite some time. Disregard for the Lord’s Day is evidenced by the fact that many churches have decided to cancel their worship services this Sunday in…
“Remember,” Paul writes, “that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (Eph 2:11-12). This is spiritual despair,…
Early in my pastoral ministry a thoughtful young man came with an interesting question while our congregation was in the midst of celebrating the Advent season. The question arose from a hymn sung during a Lord’s Day worship service. The…
Crossway is giving away an ebook version of Experiencing the Trinity, by our friend, Joe Thorn. All you have to do is fill out a brief survey. In light of all the recent debate about the intertrinitarian relations, this would…
