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Dec 2015 31 Dec 31, 2015

We’ve heard much in recent days of what it means to be “politically correct”. To be “politically correct” means you avoid language or behavior or beliefs that might in any way offend someone who disagrees with you. I’m not a fan of political correctness. But I’m even less a fan of “theological correctness.” Continue reading . . . We’ve heard much in recent days of what it means to be “politically correct&...Read More

Dec 2015 30 Dec 30, 2015
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For those of you who may have missed the posting of my Best Books of 2015, here is the list one more time with no editorial comment. These are followed by a few that didn’t quite make the top ten but deserve Honorable Mention. Continue reading . . . For those of you who may have missed the posting of my Best Books of 2015, here is the list one more time with no editorial comment. These are followed by a few that didn’t quite make the top ten but deserve Hono...Read More

Dec 2015 29 Dec 29, 2015
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Yesterday I listed numbers 10-6 of my best books of 2015. Today I will start with number 5 and work my way to what I consider to be the best book of the year. Continue reading . . . Yesterday I listed numbers 10-6 of my best books of 2015. Today I will start with number 5 and work my way to what I consider to be the best book of the year. (5) ESV Men’s Devotional Bible, edited by Sam Storms (Wheaton: Crossway, 2015). You may find it odd that I’ve included ...Read More

Dec 2015 28 Dec 28, 2015

This year my list of the best books in 2015 will be released in two parts. Today I provide my selections for numbers 10 to 6. Tomorrow I’ll list numbers 5 to 1. Following that I hope to post an article with my “honorable mention” books, of which there are many. Continue reading . . . This year my list of the best books in 2015 will be released in two parts. Today I provide my selections for numbers 10 to 6. Tomorrow I’ll list numbers 5 to 1. Foll...Read More

Dec 2015 24 Dec 24, 2015
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The hymn writer tells us that it was a “silent” night, a “holy” night. But it was also a cold night, as the shepherds huddled together seeking warmth from the fire. To them it seemed like every other night. The crackling of wood, the occasional bleating of a lamb, were the only sounds that disturbed the otherwise routine silence. Continue reading . . . The hymn writer tells us that it was a “silent” night, a “holy” night. ...Read More

Dec 2015 23 Dec 23, 2015

Andreas Kostenberger and Alexander Stewart, co-authors of The First Days of Jesus, recently published an article in Christianity Today titled, “5 Errors to Drop from Your Christmas Sermon.” Continue reading . . . Andreas Kostenberger and Alexander Stewart, co-authors of The First Days of Jesus, recently published an article in Christianity Today titled, “5 Errors to Drop from Your Christmas Sermon.” The five errors are: Don’t add details t...Read More

Dec 2015 22 Dec 22, 2015
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In what we know as the Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:7-15), it is the name of God, Yahweh, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Father as well, that is to be “hallowed” (v. 9b). It isn’t the name of Allah or any other alleged ‘god’ but the name of our heavenly Father that is the focus of our prayers. Continue reading . . . In what we know as the Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:7-15), it is the name of God, Yahweh, the Father of our Lord ...Read More

Dec 2015 21 Dec 21, 2015

The relationship between faith and works is not an issue for ivory tower theologians but for every man and woman who cares about where they will spend eternity! Continue reading . . . The relationship between faith and works is not an issue for ivory tower theologians but for every man and woman who cares about where they will spend eternity! The NT is clear: Faith alone is the condition of salvation but works are the consequence of it. If there are no works, there lik...Read More

Dec 2015 18 Dec 18, 2015

We’ve been studying James 2:14-26 on the issue of justification by faith. Or is it by works? The time has now come to walk briefly through the text itself. To do so I want to divide the text into three parts. Continue reading . . . We’ve been studying James 2:14-26 on the issue of justification by faith. Or is it by works? The time has now come to walk briefly through the text itself. To do so I want to divide the text into three parts. First, in vv. 14-17 ...Read More

Dec 2015 17 Dec 17, 2015
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As you can see from the first article posted yesterday, I believe the key to understanding James is not only found in the recognition that he and Paul are arguing against different theological opponents but also in the recognition that they are talking about two different kinds of so-called “faith”. Continue reading . . . As you can see from the first article posted yesterday, I believe the key to understanding James is not only found in the recognition that...Read More

Dec 2015 16 Dec 16, 2015

There simply is no more eternally important question that any man or woman can ask and then answer than this: “How might I, a hell-deserving sinner, be reconciled to God and made acceptable in his sight?” Continue reading . . . There simply is no more eternally important question that any man or woman can ask and then answer than this: “How might I, a hell-deserving sinner, be reconciled to God and made acceptable in his sight?” Or we might pose ...Read More

Dec 2015 15 Dec 15, 2015
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[Denny Burk wrote this excellent article in response to a statement released by the Vatican regarding whether or not Christians should evangelize Jews. I encourage you to read it carefully.] Continue reading . . . [Denny Burk wrote this excellent article in response to a statement released by the Vatican regarding whether or not Christians should evangelize Jews. I encourage you to read it carefully.] Undermining God’s saving purposes through ChristBy Denny Burk ...Read More

Dec 2015 14 Dec 14, 2015

Whenever the subject of faith and healing is brought up people often point to the words of Jesus in Mark 11:22-24. Continue reading . . . Whenever the subject of faith and healing is brought up people often point to the words of Jesus in Mark 11:22-24. “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it wil...Read More

Dec 2015 10 Dec 10, 2015

Criticizing the Church and Christians is fast becoming a national pastime here in the U.S., some of which is deserved, a lot of which isn’t. Continue reading . . . Criticizing the Church and Christians is fast becoming a national pastime here in the U.S., some of which is deserved, a lot of which isn’t. One hears things like: “You guys are all in it for the money!” Or, “You’re a bunch of anti-women, anti-gay, judgmental, close-minded ...Read More

Dec 2015 9 Dec 9, 2015
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“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matt. 6:12). Continue reading . . . Of all the petitions in the Lord’s Prayer, none has created as much confusion as this one: “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matt. 6:12). Of the six petitions in this prayer, this one alone is blessed with an extended commentary. At the close of the prayer Jesus returns in vv. 14-15 with additional expl...Read More

Dec 2015 8 Dec 8, 2015

“What can I possibly tell a God who knows everything?” Some answer: “Nothing.” But if Jesus were asked the same question, he would answer: “Anything!” Continue reading . . . In his opening comments, just before giving us what has come to be known as the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus said this: “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not ...Read More

Dec 2015 7 Dec 7, 2015
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[This important article was written by Denny Burk and posted on his blog on December 4.] Continue reading . . . [This important article was written by Denny Burk and posted on his blog on December 4.] By Denny Burk on December 4, 2015 in Culture, News, Politics Our civilization just took a gigantic leap backward yesterday, though I’m wondering if anyone will notice. Yesterday, Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter removed final obstacles restricting women from serv...Read More

Dec 2015 4 Dec 4, 2015

Your kingdom come! Give us this day our daily bread! These are but two of the six petitions in what we know as the Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:7-15). Does their juxtaposition jolt you like it does me? The range of these requests is breathtaking: from the cosmic dominion of God’s rule and power all the way down to what you and I eat for lunch today. Continue reading . . . Your kingdom come! Give us this day our daily bread! These are but two of the six petitions i...Read More

Dec 2015 3 Dec 3, 2015
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[I found this article by Rod Dreher especially good.] Continue reading . . . Dr. Everett Piper: A Man Among BoysPosted on November 25, 2015, 11:46 PM Rod Dreher [I found this article by Rod Dreher especially good.] Many of us have wondered when a university president was going to stand up and push back against the student bullies, instead of grovel and coddle them. The president of Yale has not, nor has the president of Princeton. All across the country, presidents of...Read More

Dec 2015 2 Dec 2, 2015
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All indications are that the experience of the Church in western society will progressively deteriorate. I don’t mean that the Church will diminish, far less die. I mean that it will increasingly suffer persecution and oppression and the loss of its civil rights. Continue reading . . . All indications are that the experience of the Church in western society will progressively deteriorate. I don’t mean that the Church will diminish, far less die. I mean that ...Read More

Dec 2015 1 Dec 1, 2015

In the previous article we looked at the events surrounding our Lord’s so-called “cleansing” of the Temple. But what does it mean? Continue reading . . . In the previous article we looked at the events surrounding our Lord’s so-called “cleansing” of the Temple. But what does it mean? First, although traditionally this has been called the “cleansing” of the Temple, it is perhaps better to see it as a judgment. This is a sm...Read More