I want to say, right at the start, that I am looking forward to offering this new series on understanding, studying, and applying the Bible to our lives. I’m encouraged because I have seen over my lifetime how the power and truth of the word of God have given people life when it seems like so […]
It’s All About Zeal Read More »
What is a human being worth? That is the opening question in this new book by Mel Lawrenz which explores the meaning of human dignity and its connection with the Christian gospel and mission. Human dignity is a widely-held ideal, but there is much confusion over what it means. Is it simply autonomy—the supposed right
Coming soon… A Time for Dignity Read More »
You are invited to join in a 30-day exploration of the life-transforming, world-changing truth about reconciliation. Starting October 5 thousands of people from dozens of countries will join Elmbrook Church in this daily learning experience and conversation. “To ‘reconcile’ or bring about ‘reconciliation’ is to restore harmony or friendship between two entities formerly divided” (Eerdmans Dictionary of
Starting October 5 – RECONCILE Read More »
As current events go, the past week has been quite eventful. Racist murders in South Carolina, coordinated terrorist attacks in three different countries, two escaped convicts on the run, a landmark ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court on gay marriage. I found myself recalling today the words of a letter written about 100 years after Jesus, a follower of Jesus explaining to someone else the distinctive lifestyle, beliefs, and attitudes of believers. The document is called The Epistle to Diognetus. We don’t know the author or the recipient, but the poignant description of what it means to be a believer in a worldly world is worth pondering during these eventful days. It is a wonderful description of living in the world, but not being of the world. See how you think it may apply today
Living in a Worldly World Read More »
I still cherish my boyhood memories of going fishing with my grandfather. It seems like it was yesterday. One day while I was sorting through the wide variety of tackle I had collected, fidgeting with lures and sinkers and bobbers and the rest in my fancy tackle box, my grandfather looked at me and said:
What Are Some Good Disciplines for Reading Scripture? Read More »
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them” (Matt.7:15-16). When I was young in the faith, I had a deep hunger to find the truth of God because I had tasted it, it was deeply satisfying, and I
How Can We Know If Someone is Giving False Teaching? Read More »
Theology is not limited to the work of professors and clergy. Any serious Christian who has invested time in reading and studying Scripture is doing the work of theology, because theology (from the Greek words theos, meaning “God,” and logia, meaning “utterance, speech, reasoning”) is simply seeking ways to understand and speak about God, and all else
How Can We Refine Our Understanding of Biblical Theology? Read More »
It is dangerous to understand the Bible better. It is all too easy for us to feel just a bit of pride about pulling out the meaning of biblical texts, as if we were beginning to master the Scriptures when, of course, exactly the opposite is the whole point. The temptation may come from the
How Should We Apply Scripture to Life? Read More »
Some years back, I did a survey of our church’s congregation with the simple question: “If you could ask God one thing, what would it be?” I was not surprised that the most frequent response had to do with the problem of evil in the world, but I was struck by the next most common
How Can We Hear God’s Voice in Scripture? Read More »
Matthew Jacoby is the leader of Sons of Korah, “an Australian based band devoted to giving a fresh voice to the biblical psalms.” Click below to hear an interview I did with Matthew year before last on the release of his book about the Psalms, Deeper Places: Experiencing God in the Psalms. * *
Thoughts about the Psalms Read More »
So far, in 23 different readings in “How to Understand the Bible,” through Bible Gateway we’ve covered three main areas: 1) approaching the Bible; 2) understanding the Old Testament; and 3) understanding the New Testament. (If you missed any of this, or want to review any of this, you can go HERE, or you can get all
Important Subjects to Come Read More »
The words of Psalm 46 may come to mind as we think of the many who suffer in earthquake-stricken Nepal. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar
Though the Earth Give Way – Earthquake in Nepal Read More »
[On the ground report from Christian leader in Kathmandu, Nepal] Greetings from suffering Nepal! I am glad that you all are praying for us and by God’s grace we are fine and our missionaries are quite fine. The disastrous Earthquake with an 7.8 of magnitude has struck the country of Nepal killing more than 5000
From Suffering Nepal Read More »
I highly recommend this TED talk by Gary Haugen, President of International Justice Mission. I have interacted with Gary over the years, met with some of their staff in Washington, and always been impressed by the commitment, integrity, and passion of the work they do in the interest of international justice. This talk is based
Gary Haugen on Violence and Poverty Read More »
If we did not realize already that it takes a lifetime to understand the Bible (and that’s a good thing), the point is driven home when we get to the last book in the Bible—Revelation. It starts out simply enough, it is a “revelation (in Greek, apocalypse) from Jesus Christ,” it is a “prophecy,” and it
How Should We Understand the Book of Revelation? Read More »