One of the most well-known and influential stories in the Old Testament is the story of Gideon in Judges 6-7. Gideon was an unlikely, fearful man whom God called to lead Israel against the Midianites, a powerful enemy that had been oppressing Israel for years. At first, Gideon was paralyzed by fear—he doubted himself, he doubted God, and he constantly looked for signs and reassurance before taking action (and this was not a good thing; see my earlier blog on Not Putting Out Your Fleece). Yet, through God’s guidance, Gideon moved from fear to faith—not because of his own strength, but because he learned to trust in God’s power and obey despite his fears.  Read More

So, on more than one occasion, I've heard someone claim to be a “modern-day apostle…” But can that person be true a biblical apostle? No, They can’t be. Not by biblical standards, anyway. To answer this more fully, I want to briefly take a moment and explain some of the biblical criteria for an apostle and then give you an example of a problematic 'apostolic' movement that has gained popularity today.   Read More

Church members sometimes think of evangelism as, "Pastor, I'll catch 'em (i.e. bring them to church); you fry them..."   Read More

Known for directness, Puritan pastor Thomas Watson seeks to win men’s understanding. Warning against the seriousness of sin and the dangers of superficial repentance and complacency in the Christian life, Watson reminds us of Scripture's clarion call that believers should live a Holy Life with a timeless message: "Repentance is never out of season," even if the world claims otherwise.   Read More

The question of whether God created evil is one that theologians and philosophers have wrestled with for centuries. God, who is inherently good and holy, did not create moral evil. Instead, He allowed for the possibility of evil by giving humanity and angels free will.  Read More

The story of Gideon in Judges 6 often captivates believers because of his "fleece test" to confirm God’s will. Gideon asked God for a miraculous sign, first for the fleece to be wet and the ground dry, and then the opposite, to confirm that God had indeed called him to deliver Israel from Midianite oppression. While this story reveals God’s patience and grace, using it as a model for decision-making today is misguided for Christians who have the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.  Read More

       Augustine. Confessions. Translated by Henry Chadwick. Oxford: Oxford Press, 1998.          Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD) made many contributions to Christian theology and literature, earning him status as one of the most influential fathers in the Western Church (both Catholic and Protestant).  For much of his early life, he followed the false beliefs and teachings of Manichaeism.  After ...  Read More

     Trust in God's Provision: A Summary of Don't Worry by David PowlisonDavid Powlison’s article, "Don’t Worry", explores Jesus' teaching from Luke 12:22-34, where Christ instructs His followers not to be anxious about their daily needs. Through the lens of this passage, Powlison offers a practical and spiritual guide for Christians on dealing with worry and anxiety, particularly about material c...  Read More

So maybe you have heard someone say: ... Noah's flood is just a myth taken from other Ancient Near Eastern flood epics... That's the claim made by the critics...   Read More

This week, I've read a lot about words, their meaning, and their "context," as found in the Bible...  Read More

What is a very common but not realized sin that Christians commit? I believe one answer can be found in 1 Thessalonians 5:16 through 19—quenching or stifling the Holy Spirit and not giving thanks.  Read More

In short, Client-centered therapy offers no real hope, no actual change, no true redemption, and no possibility of reconciliation with the God who created all humanity. It allows men and women to remain in their sins, exalting them to act as the de facto God of themselves. Nothing in the theory points to the truths of God.   Read More