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The Epistle of James is now Available!
Several weeks ago I announced that my entire series of sermon notes on the book of Hebrews was available on my website. Today I’m happy to tell you that all twenty-two lessons on the book of James are now posted. If you are unfamiliar about how to access these documents, simply click on Resources at the top of the Home page, and then on Articles. Look under Biblical Studies, and at the bottom of the list you will see both Hebrews and James. These twenty-two articles are essentially a verse-by-verse analysis of James. I hope and pray you will find them helpful in your life or ministry, or in both.
Everyday Glory: A Review
Everyday Glory: A Review
You may recall that in my list of the best books of 2018 I placed Everyday Glory by Gerald McDermott at the top. I was recently asked by www.juicyecumenism.com to write a brief review of it. Here it is below. My spiritual journey has been largely shaped by the same historical figure to whom Gerald McDermott gives much of the credit for his own: New England pastor and theologian, Jonathan Edwards (1703-58). McDermott, currently the Anglican Chair of Divinity at Beeson Di...Read More ➔
What Should We Think about the International House of Prayer in Kansas City (IHOPKC) and Mike Bickle? Part One
16What Should We Think about the International House of Prayer in Kansas City (IHOPKC) and Mike Bickle? Part One
If I am asked one question more than any other, it typically concerns what I think about the International House of Prayer in Kansas City and Mike Bickle. So I am going to post two articles, the first about Mike and the second about the House of Prayer itself. Before I begin what will undoubtedly prove to be two controversial articles, full disclosure is called for. From 1993-2000 I served as Mike Bickle’s associate pastor at what was first Metro Vineyard Fellows...Read More ➔
A Brief Reflection on Truth
2A Brief Reflection on Truth
Of the many things John writes concerning the Word, the Son of God, in John 1, one of the more important is his statement in v. 14 that he is “full of grace and truth.” Let’s be clear right from the start. God isn’t whatever you want him to be. He is who he is whether you like it or not. God is not like silly putty in the hands of those who wish to twist and shape him into something more palatable to their senses. He has always been, is now, and ...Read More ➔
How Might We Know if We Know the Grace of God?
How Might We Know if We Know the Grace of God?
If when you sin you run away from God rather than to God, you have failed to fully embrace the grace of God. If when you sin your instinctive response is one of fear of judgment rather than gratitude for forgiveness, you have failed to fully embrace and understand the grace of God. If when you sin your immediate reaction is to hide from God rather than openly confess how you’ve failed, you don’t understand grace. If when you contemplate your own value as a...Read More ➔
Philippians 2:12-13 - The Most Important NT Text on the Christian Life and Sanctification
2Philippians 2:12-13 - The Most Important NT Text on the Christian Life and Sanctification
When it comes to our understanding and experience of Christian sanctification, I can’t think of a more important biblical text than Philippians 2:12-13. Here is what Paul wrote: “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:12-13). Paul&rsq...Read More ➔
Speaking in Tongues: A Good Gift from the Father of Lights
1Speaking in Tongues: A Good Gift from the Father of Lights
My new book, The Language of Heaven: Crucial Questions about Speaking in Tongues, is available at Amazon for pre-purchase and will be released on June 4. What follows below is the introduction to the book that I hope will give you a sense for why I wrote it. Like many, if not most of you, I grew up loving Christmas. I couldn’t wait until Christmas morning when my sister and I would tear into the many gifts that our parents had worked so hard to purchase for us. Ev...Read More ➔
10 Things You Should Know about Complementarianism
210 Things You Should Know about Complementarianism
I’m a bit hesitant about posting this article, for the simple fact that there are differing versions of what is known as complementarianism. Although there are several foundational truths that all complementarians embrace, differences emerge when it comes to application in the local church and in para-church ministries. So be aware that not all complementarians will necessarily agree with the way I articulate the concept. (1) I’ll begin with identifying some...Read More ➔
The Language of Heaven: Crucial Questions about Speaking in Tongues
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The Language of Heaven: Crucial Questions about Speaking in Tongues
I’m excited to announce the soon-coming release of my book on the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues: The Language of Heaven: Crucial Questions about Speaking in Tongues (Charisma House, 272 pages). Yes, that’s right, 272 pages on this one spiritual gift! I know that sounds like an exaggeration, but I have examined every biblical text on the subject, analyzed and responded to virtually every interpretation of them, and have tried to address the numerous qu...Read More ➔
Remember Those Who Are In Prison
Remember Those Who Are In Prison
I just saw the news that Asia Bibi has finally arrived safely in Canada. If you don’t know her story I encourage you to go here (https://www.christianpost.com/news/asia-bibi-leaves-pakistan-to-be-reunited-with-daughters-in-canada-reports.html) to read about her experience. She spent 8 years in a Pakistani prison for supposedly blaspheming Muhammad. After being released a year ago she has remained in Pakistan while her daughters sought refuge in Canada. She was deta...Read More ➔
10 Things You Should Know about Spiritual Adoption
210 Things You Should Know about Spiritual Adoption
As glorious and wonderful as is the physical birth of a new-born baby, it pales in comparison with the spiritual re-birth of a person and the new life in Jesus Christ that they receive by God’s mercy and grace. I don’t mean to downplay the beauty of physical birth. It is truly a miracle and puts on display God’s creativity and power. But the second birth, being born again, as the NT describes it, is greater still. Physical birth only gives us physical l...Read More ➔
How John 1:5 Helps Me from Falling into Pessimism and Despair
How John 1:5 Helps Me from Falling into Pessimism and Despair
On first sight, John 1:5 may not appear to be all that significant. But I need to remind myself of the truth it contains every day. Otherwise, I fear I might want to give up, or just hunker down until Jesus returns. Here is what John says: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). John’s point in this passage is to tell us how the Word of God (John 1:1), the Second Person of the Trinity, relates to the da...Read More ➔
Some Thoughts On Who Made God
3Some Thoughts On Who Made God
Last Sunday I began a new sermon series on the Gospel of John. As all of you are undoubtedly aware, the so-called “Prologue” to John’s gospel, chapter one, verses 1-18, is quite breathtaking! On Sunday we looked at seven things John says about the “Word” in vv. 1-5. Here I want to mention only two of them. First, the Son of God, or the Word, was eternally pre-existent: “In the beginning was the Word” (v. 1a). You should immedia...Read More ➔
