The True Measure
Big works of God in this world begin small with ordinary people of God working for the glory of God. Many hands make light work. And many hands accomplish much work. This is how revivals begin, Reformations are launched, churches…
Tag Christian Living
How One Book Changed My Life (Part 3)
Previously I discussed how Petrus van Mastricht, in the recently translated prolegomena of his Theoretical-Practical Theology, taught me to submit to the Word of God (part 1), and how he gave me a biblical and balanced view of the use…
A Silence on Separation
Today there is a void of serious teaching about holiness in life. There is, of course, a general teaching on holiness that everyone agrees on. “Let us be holy,” they say, “we need to be more holy. Why not have…
Godly (Dis)contentment
Nineteenth-century author and hymn-writer Elizabeth Payson Prentiss lived a life of exemplary faith in the midst of serious trials. For most of her life, she was confined to bed as an invalid, and her husband also suffered from ill health.…
Stumbling on a Two-Way Street
Sin is a two-way street. There is the offender and the offended. We may not think of sin in those terms, especially in instances where we are the offended party. But the truth of the matter is that we bear…
God Helps Those Who Help Themselves?
I’ve heard it uttered dozens of times. Friends, family members, and strangers have looked at me, a Presbyterian pastor, and said, “Well, you know what the Bible says, ‘God helps those who help themselves.’” I politely smile, but inside I’ve…
Lewis on the Christian Life
Joe Rigney, Lewis on the Christian Life: Becoming Truly Human in the Presence of God Crossway, 2018. 320 pages, paper, $21.99 In addition to teaching literature classes at Houston Baptist University, I have the privilege of conducting our first and…
Lewis on the Christian Life
Joe Rigney, Lewis on the Christian Life: Becoming Truly Human in the Presence of God Crossway, 2018. 320 pages, paper, $21.99 In addition to teaching literature classes at Houston Baptist University, I have the privilege of conducting our first and…
The Exception and the Rule
Over the years, many have approached me in order to ask what I believe the Bible teaches on some particular theological or ethical subject. In many cases, no sooner have I finished answering them that I’m met with the reply,…
Praying the Psalms in Christ
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…