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Jan 2016 29 Jan 29, 2016
1

Do yourself a tremendous favor and go immediately to www.thegospelcoalition.org and click on Blogs. Click on Justin Taylor, who has linked to a brief podcast by Evan Puschak. His analysis of “How Donald Trump Uses Language” will open your eyes, and perhaps do a lot more. You won’t regret it. Continue reading . . .  Do yourself a tremendous favor and go immediately to www.thegospelcoalition.org and click on Blogs. Click on Justin Taylor, who has li...Read More

Jan 2016 28 Jan 28, 2016

We’re giving consideration to what Jesus said about a Christian’s relationship with and responsibility to human government. Continue reading . . .  We’re giving consideration to what Jesus said about a Christian’s relationship with and responsibility to human government. The passage is one with which all of us are quite familiar. And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. And they came a...Read More

Jan 2016 27 Jan 27, 2016

I can’t imagine what it would be like or how I would react if I were arrested and thrown in jail for hosting a Bible study in my home. Try to imagine being sentenced to five years in prison simply for sharing your Christian faith with a friend at Starbucks. Let’s be honest and admit that it’s hard to envision such things happening. After all, with few exceptions, it’s easy being a Christian in America (so far). We feel relatively safe and secure a...Read More

Jan 2016 26 Jan 26, 2016

In the previous article we looked at what James meant when he referred to the wisdom that comes from below. And what of the “wisdom” that comes from God, the wisdom of heaven, the sort of wisdom in accordance with we are to live? Continue reading . . .  In the previous article we looked at what James meant when he referred to the wisdom that comes from below. And what of the “wisdom” that comes from God, the wisdom of heaven, the sort of wis...Read More

Jan 2016 25 Jan 25, 2016

What is “worldly” wisdom or the wisdom from “below”? James answers this for us in his letter by identifying several characteristics of worldly wisdom. And note that he focuses his attention on what wisdom produces in terms of personal conduct and motivation. Continue reading . . .  What is “worldly” wisdom or the wisdom from “below”? James answers this for us in his letter by identifying several characteristics of wor...Read More

Jan 2016 21 Jan 21, 2016
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I think all of you are familiar with the oft-heard statement that Christians are people who are “in” the world but not “of” the world. Continue reading . . .  I think all of you are familiar with the oft-heard statement that Christians are people who are “in” the world but not “of” the world. There isn’t a specific biblical text that says it in precisely those terms, but James 4:4 does describe followers of Jesu...Read More

Jan 2016 20 Jan 20, 2016

By now many readers have heard about Wheaton College professor Larycia Hawkins, who wore a hijab to show solidarity with Muslims and whose future employment is now in doubt. Hawkins’s statement that Muslims and Christians worship the same God has ignited a firestorm of debate among Christians as to whether and in what sense this statement is true or false. Continue reading . . .  [This article, by Lydia McGrew, first appeared on the website of The Gospel Coal...Read More

Jan 2016 19 Jan 19, 2016
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Last week (January 11, 2016) Denny Burk wrote a helpful response to the question of whether or not the Bible, in particular the NT, endorses slavery. It was titled, Seven reasons why you shouldn’t read 1 Timothy 6:1-2 as an endorsement of slavery. Continue reading . . .  Last week (January 11, 2016) Denny Burk wrote a helpful response to the question of whether or not the Bible, in particular the NT, endorses slavery. It was titled, Seven reasons why you shou...Read More

Jan 2016 18 Jan 18, 2016

In a recent blog post at the Gospel Coalition website, Justin Taylor articulated six truths that will go a long way in answering the question before us: do Jews, Christians, and Muslims worship the same God? Here is his proposal Continue reading . . . In a recent blog post at the Gospel Coalition website, Justin Taylor articulated six truths that will go a long way in answering the question before us: do Jews, Christians, and Muslims worship the same God? Here is his pr...Read More

Jan 2016 15 Jan 15, 2016
4

The news below strikes very deeply in my heart and at first brought me to tears. But tears of sadness soon turned to tears of gratitude and joy as I reflected on the impact and influence of J. I. Packer not only on my own life but on the lives of tens of thousands of Christians over nearly a century of time. Continue reading . . . The news below strikes very deeply in my heart and at first brought me to tears. But tears of sadness soon turned to tears of gratitude and j...Read More

Jan 2016 13 Jan 13, 2016

This was the title of an article written by Gerald McDermott of Beeson Divinity school on 6-4-13, published in First Things. Continue reading . . . This was the title of an article written by Gerald McDermott of Beeson Divinity school on 6-4-13, published in First Things. McDermott responds to some of the arguments put forth by Yale theologian Miroslav Volf in his recent book: Allah: A Christian Response. Volf, says McDermott, answers the question with a nuanced but in...Read More

Jan 2016 12 Jan 12, 2016

On January 5, 2016, John Piper posted this article at the Desiring God website (www.desiringgod.org). I completely agree with him. Continue reading . . . On January 5, 2016, John Piper posted this article at the Desiring God website (www.desiringgod.org). I completely agree with him. I posted this article on Saturday, January 9, when the lottery total had reached $900 million. I don’t know if anyone has claimed victory yet, but my opinion remains the same regardle...Read More

Jan 2016 11 Jan 11, 2016
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I rarely comment on Presidential candidates (and probably won’t endorse one), but I simply couldn’t pass up this opportunity to voice my agreement with Garrison Keillor on Donald Trump Continue reading . . . I rarely comment on Presidential candidates (and probably won’t endorse one), but I simply couldn’t pass up this opportunity to voice my agreement with Garrison Keillor on Donald Trump (his article was titled, “Cartoon Candidates Don&rs...Read More

Jan 2016 8 Jan 8, 2016
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In the previous four articles I’ve focused on what James says about the power and perversion of the human tongue. As one example of its life-changing power, consider this story of 11 Christians in Aleppo, Syria, who were brutally tortured and martyred by ISIS (the story is reported by Annie Cotton of Christian Aid Mission). Continue reading . . . In the previous four articles I’ve focused on what James says about the power and perversion of the human tongue....Read More

Jan 2016 7 Jan 7, 2016

The tongue makes a mockery of our claims to power and authority. Continue reading . . . The tongue makes a mockery of our claims to power and authority. James explains: “For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God....Read More

Jan 2016 6 Jan 6, 2016

The point of James 3:3-6 is simple and to the point. The tongue exerts a disproportionate influence when compared to its size. Continue reading . . . The point of James 3:3-6 is simple and to the point. The tongue exerts a disproportionate influence when compared to its size. “If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they a...Read More

Jan 2016 5 Jan 5, 2016

We’re looking at what James has to say about the tongue, our speech, and the difficulty we all face in taming the tongue. He has just concluded a discussion on the relation between faith and works (James 2:14-26). Faith without works, said James, is dead and of no benefit to anyone. It would seem then that he now wants us to know that works are not limited to actions. Words are also works. Continue reading . . . We’re looking at what James has to say about t...Read More

Jan 2016 4 Jan 4, 2016

I want to draw our attention to the many ways that human beings have distorted some of the most precious of God’s gifts to us. Continue reading . . . I want to draw our attention to the many ways that human beings have distorted some of the most precious of God’s gifts to us. Take, for example, our minds. God has given us brains and minds that we might understand him and grasp his truth and delight in his greatness. And what have we done with this glorious ...Read More