Jesus Is the Light of the World… and So Are We
Christians are meant to exert their influence so obviously that no matter how far from the light a person might be they can still see it in the distance.
Jesus exposed a lot of things that had been in the dark for a long time. He shined the light on the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of the day. He refused to accept half-hearted devotion to becoming a true follower of God. He called sin “sin” and He extended love and truth with His... Continue Reading
Retrieving Christus Victor
We should preach Christus Victor, since it is both biblical and able to brace believers against the very real evil at work in our world.
It is impossible to ignore the motif of victory in Christ’s work. Therefore Aulén’s contention that Christus Victor has been understated among Protestants is worth consideration. Towards the beginning of his book, Aulén outlines four reasons he believes the classic view has been neglected. One of them is his claim that many moderns find conflict... Continue Reading
The Spirit’s Fruit: Kindness
Kindness is a fruit of the indwelling Spirit because all the redeemed will reciprocate God’s redeeming kindness.
When the children of God show the kindness of the true and living God, the God of all kindness is made known, is glorified, and is enjoyed. What did the world learn from Stephen’s kindness? They learned Stephen was not in the grip of cruelty and animus like they were: “Look how these Christians so... Continue Reading
What Could Be Greater than Signs and Wonders?
He is “the true bread from heaven” that brings life, and He is proclaimed in the Word. No sign or wonder can replace that Word.
The most astounding miracles will not bring life to dead hearts. Even the resurrection, on its own, is not enough to create faith. Great works of God may encourage us and spur us on, but they will not save us. We need the greatest work of all, though it is the least spectacular—that is, the... Continue Reading
You Can Build Better Family Traditions
We are not alone trying to figure out how to serve Jesus all by ourselves. God has given us a family to help us.
I know many people who have become Christians from non-Christian family backgrounds. They want to live a life honouring the true God but need to set up new family traditions and ways of living. What does it look like to be a Christian husband? What does it look like to live a single life that... Continue Reading
Here There Is No Why
Among God’s creatures, He chose human beings to be His image-bearers, uniquely made in God’s likeness with a unique capacity to glorify God.
It has been said that there are three requirements for a fulfilling life. Are you listening? High school graduates? College students? Those starting life? Those in mid-life? Those in golden years? 1. A clear sense of personal identity: Who am I? 2. A strong sense of personal mission: Why am I here? 3. A deep... Continue Reading
Luther, Spiritual Disciplines, and Our Neighbors
Serving your neighbor out of love is a spiritual discipline.
Christians have to attend to the mastery of their sinful impulses so that they can serve their neighbors effectively. Luther approached the issue of sanctification with some reserve for fear that his generation, so recently weaned from the idea of good works as a means to grace rather than the fruit thereof, would fall back... Continue Reading
Can We Really Believe in Demonic Possession?
Dealing With Some Historical and Contemporary Doubts
In taking seriously the issue we need to be wise to those who would glam on to the opportunity provided by stoking either fear or fascination with the occult. We confess and testify to the veracity of the negative spiritual world and its existence to be sure. That being said we must be able to... Continue Reading
What Does It Mean That God Is Good?
Because God is holy, He is both great and good.
God does what is right. He never does what is wrong. God always acts in a righteous manner because His nature is holy. Thus, we can distinguish between the internal righteousness of God (His holy nature) and the external righteousness of God (His actions). Two virtues assigned to God, greatness and goodness, may be... Continue Reading
A Royal Calling
Taking a Closer Look at the Terms "Image" and "Likeness"
If “image” speaks of humanity’s relationship to creation as kings or vicegerents, “likeness” highlights humanity’s relationship to God as sons. Just as Seth is later described as the “likeness” of Adam (Gen. 5:3), so ’ādām is here called the “likeness” of God, pointing to the close, covenantal relationship shared between God and human beings. Adam, in... Continue Reading
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