Christians hold that Jesus is king (Matt 21:1-11). All who become Christians receive Jesus as their lord and king (Col 2:6). This is a king like no other: he, though he is God and king, died for the sins of his people (Phil 2:6-11; Matt 20:28). He is the king of kings and lord of […]
Does Matthew hold to penal substitutionary atonement, a theological position clearly taught in the Apostle Paul and other places of Scripture? After studying and preparing to preach on Matthew 20:17-28, I have a great confidence to what I already knew: YES, Matthew does hold to the theological view known as penal substitutionary atonement. In preparing […]
This past year I listened to “A Life-Long Love” by Gary Thomas. (This was a free audio book I received through Christian Audio (https://christianaudio.com/); this org puts out a free Christian audio book every month!). The book has some convicting and encouraging and reorienting lessons for married believers to apply and live out in their […]
“12 Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the LORD,13 for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.” Jeremiah 2:12-13 God raised up Jeremiah to decry the evil of […]
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Prosperity Gospel-Lite
It is easy to point out the mistakes of the Joel Olsteen “Your Best Life Now” theology. The prosperity gospel is far removed from the NT teaching on the cost of discipleship (Matt 16:24-26) and the reality that suffering is something that Christians will endure in this life (Phil 1:29). Most in my circles (evangelical, […]
I recently had a great conversation with some non-Christian friends about the nature of human rights. We spent a good deal of time considering this notion that human beings have inherent rights, dignity, and worth, and ought to be treated a particular way. In the midst of our conversation I encouraged them think about how […]
I sometimes go out and spend some time talking on the streets with strangers (people I have never met) about Jesus. While others disagree, I think there is place for some Christians to do this regularly; it does NOT have to be done poorly, it actually can be done well and have great results. I […]
“The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.” (Ps 24:1) Sometimes when I walk around Naperville, I reflect on this verse. Every inch of Naperville belongs to the LORD: every tree, every animal, every person, everything. All of it is His, and rightfully so, for He is […]
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2019 READING GOALS
For 2019, I am shooting to read through (including some audio) 52 books. Here’s list of about half I hope to work through. Most are re-rereads: 1. Bible (reread) 2. Good portion of CS Lewis’s works (Narnia, Space Trilogy, Mere Christianity, Screwtape Letters, Abolition of Man, 4 Loves, Miracles, Problem of Pain, Great Divorce) all […]
O God, prepare my heart to worship you this morning at church. Help me to see the truth of who you are and approach you in light of this reality. You have no needs, but only a fullness that you lovingly share with me. You don’t require me to survive, but I desperately need you […]
