In vice there lurks a counterfeit beauty: pride, for instance--even pride apes sublimity, whereas you are the only God, most high above all things. As for ambition, what does it crave but honors and glory, while you are worthy of honor beyond all others, and eternally glorious? The ferocity of powerful men aims to inspire … Continue reading What Sin Is
Quotes
Who are You, God?
What are you, then my God? What are you, I ask, but the Lord God? For who else is lord except the Lord?, or who is god if not our God? You are most high, excellent, most powerful, omnipotent, supremely merciful and supremely just, most hidden yet intimately present, infinitely beautiful and infinitely strong, steadfast … Continue reading Who are You, God?
We Have Bills to Pay
[Atticus says], ‘As you grow older, you'll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don't you forget it—whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, … Continue reading We Have Bills to Pay
When “Safety First” Wasn’t a Drag on Christians
We are unlike the Christians of the New Testament. Our approach to life is conventional and static; theirs was not. The thought of 'safety first' was not a drag on their enterprise as it is on ours. By being exuberant, unconventional, and uninhibited in living by the gospel, they turned their world upside down...Why are … Continue reading When “Safety First” Wasn’t a Drag on Christians
Does God Understand Our Suffering?
Imagine all humanity had a committee meeting to establish what God would have to go through to truly understand human suffering. The poor would say he should be homeless, frequently hungry, and constantly moving from place to place. Bereaved people would say he should lose a parent and perhaps a close friend as well. Holocaust … Continue reading Does God Understand Our Suffering?
Jesus was probably Born in a Cave
The Christmas associations of an inn and an innkeeper, however, do not reflect the language of Luke's text in 2:7. Rather, the word usually translated as "inn," seems to refer to either some type of reception room in a private home or some type of public shelter. Since this place was full, refuge was sought … Continue reading Jesus was probably Born in a Cave
A Slap to Our (Individualistic) Faces
The prevailing view of life today is that of an individual standing on his or her own, heroically juggling various responsibilities—family, friendships, career, leisure, chores, and money…From time to time the pressures overwhelm us and we drop one or more of the balls. All too often church becomes one of those balls…An alternative model is … Continue reading A Slap to Our (Individualistic) Faces
What Does it Mean to be “Biblical”?
In order to be biblical in our theology we must take seriously what Scripture claims to be. What, then, does Scripture claim for itself?...We affirm that Scripture is God's Word written, the product of God's mighty action through the Word and by the Holy Spirit whereby human authors freely wrote exactly what God intended to … Continue reading What Does it Mean to be “Biblical”?
When Theology is Not Theology
Some claim we need those who are intentionally 'on a par' with academic theologians in our universities to engage with contemporary theological issues. To a large extent, however, contemporary theology is pursued by people who make no pretense of being 'Christian,' working in non-confessional institutions. If true theology is the fruit of engagement with the … Continue reading When Theology is Not Theology
The Cross and the “Cursing” Psalms
If we “tone down” the cry against injustice as something “primitive,” we cannot appreciate the cross—because there we see that the punishment for such cruelty is exactly what the Psalmist has called for. We see God’s “little one” being dashed to pieces. Yes, the punishment that human injustice and evil deserves is just as bad … Continue reading The Cross and the “Cursing” Psalms