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Jul 2016 29 Jul 29, 2016
1

With our nation in the throes of a venomous race for the presidency, I’ve been drawn to a closer look at our Constitution and some of the issues that set the tone for the first 100 years of this country’s history. Continue reading . . .  With our nation in the throes of a venomous race for the presidency, I’ve been drawn to a closer look at our Constitution and some of the issues that set the tone for the first 100 years of this country’s hi...Read More

Jul 2016 27 Jul 27, 2016

In the aftermath of so much racial division and hatred in our society, I was drawn once again to a consideration of the Parable of the “Good” Samaritan. I put the word “Good” Samaritan in quotes because, as you probably know, as far as the Jewish people in the first century were concerned there was no thing as a “good” Samaritan. They were hated and despised and avoided at all costs. Continue reading . . .  In the aftermath of so...Read More

Jul 2016 26 Jul 26, 2016

Few portrayals of our risen Lord are as awe-inspiring and breathtaking as that which we find in Revelation 1. Continue reading . . .  Few portrayals of our risen Lord are as awe-inspiring and breathtaking as that which we find in Revelation 1. Here is what John saw and how he responded: Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a lon...Read More

Jul 2016 25 Jul 25, 2016
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We Protestants often fail to take note of the unique and sometimes profitable contributions of Roman Catholic theologians of the past. So today we look at 10 things we should know about Thomas Aquinas. Continue reading . . .  We Protestants often fail to take note of the unique and sometimes profitable contributions of Roman Catholic theologians of the past. So today we look at 10 things we should know about Thomas Aquinas. (1) Thomas Aquinas was born at Roccasecc...Read More

Jul 2016 22 Jul 22, 2016
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Today is J. I. Packer’s 90th birthday. Longevity in life and ministry is often taken for granted in our day. We quickly forget that Thomas Aquinas died at the age of 49. Both John Calvin and Jonathan Edwards were 54 when they entered the presence of Jesus. Charles Spurgeon died much too soon at the age of 57. Martin Luther outlived them all, passing away at the age of 62. The church of Jesus Christ should pause and thank God for sustaining Packer’s remarkable...Read More

Jul 2016 20 Jul 20, 2016
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Someone recently asked me if I believed that the Protestant Reformation is over? That’s a loaded question that would likely elicit an equally loaded answer. It took my mind back to an article I wrote several years ago. The article was a book review of the volume by Mark Noll and Carolyn Nystrom, titled: Is the Reformation Over? An Evangelical Assessment of Contemporary Roman Catholicism (Baker Academic, 2005). I thought it might be helpful to re-post it here. After...Read More

Jul 2016 19 Jul 19, 2016

I recently listened to a lecture by a pastor who was determined to undermine the biblical doctrine of penal substitutionary atonement. As part of his defense, he argued that it is unbiblical to speak of God being reconciled to us. It is we alone, he insisted, who are reconciled to God. In other words, he believes that there is nothing in God that needs to occur for us to be reconciled to him. His wrath does not need to be propitiated. His justice does not need to be sati...Read More

Jul 2016 18 Jul 18, 2016

Many would prefer that we only speak of God’s love and grace. But apart from the reality of divine wrath neither love nor grace makes much sense. We’ll see this as we explore ten things that every Christian should know about the wrath of God. Continue reading . . .  Many would prefer that we only speak of God’s love and grace. But apart from the reality of divine wrath neither love nor grace makes much sense. We’ll see this as we explore ten...Read More

Jul 2016 15 Jul 15, 2016
5

Please don’t misread or misinterpret the intent of this brief article. I have not yet formulated an opinion on the Black Lives Matter movement. I have no desire to make a political statement. Continue reading . . . Please don’t misread or misinterpret the intent of this brief article. I have not yet formulated an opinion on the Black Lives Matter movement. I have no desire to make a political statement. I’m not sufficiently informed about the people be...Read More

Jul 2016 13 Jul 13, 2016

In the previous article we looked at the marvelous ways in which Jesus loves his own. There are five of them in John 13:1-5, and here we turn our attention to the final two. Continue reading . . . In the previous article we looked at the marvelous ways in which Jesus loves his own. There are five of them in John 13:1-5, and here we turn our attention to the final two. (4) Fourth, his love was not merely an inward affection, but made itself known by an altogether unexpe...Read More

Jul 2016 12 Jul 12, 2016
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In an earlier article I pointed out the seemingly insurmountable obstacles that Jesus overcame to loving his own. Continue reading . . .  In an earlier article I pointed out the seemingly insurmountable obstacles that Jesus overcame to loving his own. They are found in John 13:1-5. Here is the passage again. “Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were...Read More

Jul 2016 11 Jul 11, 2016
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Anyone who thinks that we’ve made substantial progress in resolving the problem of racial disharmony and animosity in our society is simply not paying attention. The violent events that have filled our streets in the past week together with the response from both the white and African-American communities clearly demonstrate that mistrust, suspicion, and even hatred across the racial divide are rampant in virtually every sector in our society. Continue reading . . ...Read More

Jul 2016 7 Jul 7, 2016
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Whenever I begin to wonder whether or not the children’s song is correct when it says, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so,” I turn to John 13 and read some of the most remarkable and reassuring statements in God’s Word. Continue reading . . .  Whenever I begin to wonder whether or not the children’s song is correct when it says, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so,” I turn to John 13 a...Read More

Jul 2016 6 Jul 6, 2016
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Many who are skeptical of divine healing today and tell us we have little reason to expect that God will do miraculous things in response to our prayers, appeal to what I have called the “cluster” argument. Continue reading . . .  Many who are skeptical of divine healing today and tell us we have little reason to expect that God will do miraculous things in response to our prayers, appeal to what I have called the “cluster” argument. Here is...Read More

Jul 2016 5 Jul 5, 2016

The responses I hear when I ask someone to pray for the sick that they might be healed are varied Continue reading . . .  The responses I hear when I ask someone to pray for the sick that they might be healed are varied: “But I’m not an Elder. And James says the sick should call for the Elders to have them pray.” “But I’m not a Pastor. I’m not on staff at our church. Isn’t it the responsibility of pastors to pray for the ...Read More

Jul 2016 4 Jul 4, 2016

Today we turn our attention to 10 features of the healing ministry of Jesus. Continue reading . . .  Today we turn our attention to 10 features of the healing ministry of Jesus. 1. Jesus healed hundreds, if not thousands, of people. Contrary to those who say that Jesus healed only a few dozen, the gospels indicate that he healed multitudes. Healing was a common feature of his earthly ministry. Healing was not a secondary or subsidiary activity for him. Consider th...Read More

Jul 2016 1 Jul 1, 2016

[One of the books released in 2016 that will undoubtedly make it onto my end-of-year best-books list is Scott Christensen’s, What About Free Will? Reconciling our Choices with God’s Sovereignty (P&R, 284pp.). In Chapter Three, titled, “How Big is Your God?” Christensen describes God’s sovereignty in these terms.] Continue reading . . .  [One of the books released in 2016 that will undoubtedly make it onto my end-of-year best-books ...Read More