Why studying theology is important

Today begins a series of posts on the basics of systematic theology. Why do we need theology, and what are the essential truths to know about each doctrine? All the posts will be archived under the category “Theology 101.” When I was a child, I had problems with migraines and for many years took four […]

God, our refuge

While redeemed from sin, no believer in Christ lives perfectly. Every believer knows the daily (hourly? minute-by-minute?) battle with the flesh. Paul knew it (see Romans 7:14-25) and so do we. How can a believer stand more effectively? What will transform our hearts and change the way we live so that we are more like the […]

The Cross Quoter – a new blog

For several months I have appreciated the blog site, “The Old Guys” — a daily posting of quotes from deceased theologians who are still worth reading. Now a new, related site has been created, “The Cross Quoter.” The goal of this new site is “to put others in touch with helpful quotes, books, and resources […]

Can there be meaning in life without God?

HT: Justin Taylor.

Book blurbs

In the interest of “something is better than nothing,” here are a few blurbs and comments on some books I’ve recently completed reading: Title: Don’t Call it a Comeback: The Old Faith for a New Day Author: Kevin DeYoung (ed.) Publisher: Crossway, 2011; 252 pp. $16.99 Recommendation (4-star scale): Kevin DeYoung is fast becoming one […]

Book Review: The God Who is There

Title: The God Who is There: Finding Your Place in God’s Story Author: D. A. Carson Publisher: Crossway, 2010; 234 pp. $16.99 Recommendation (4-star scale): Three days ago our church again began our annual trek through the Scriptures. Now one of the so-called problems of reading through the Bible in one year is the inevitable […]

Grab Bag

A few things I’ve spotted around the Internet recently: The end of the year means the inevitable “year in review” lists. Here is a list of “Top 10 Theology and Church Stories” (with many supporting links) from Colin Hansen. Accordance recounts a brief (and recent) history of the study Bible. [Accordance is my Bible study […]

The doctrine of the Holy Spirit

Here is a summary chart of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit: Or download it as a PDF.

Mohler: 3 blogs on theology and life

In the past week, Al Mohler has posted three different blogs that relate theology to life and the kinds of assumptions people have about God and the decisions that result from those assumptions. In “Air Conditioning Hell: How Liberalism Happens,” he writes, Theological liberals do not intend to destroy Christianity, but to save it. As […]

On theology and practice

With one word, Paul initiates a significant change in his letter to the Ephesians. With the singular (and easily overlooked) word, “therefore,” Paul moves his letter from theology to practice, from instruction to application. It is Paul’s regular habit to make such transitions (see the transitions between Romans 1-11 and 12-16 and Colossians 1-2 and […]

Book Review: Bitesize Theology

Title: Bitesize Theology: the ABC of the Christian Faith Author: Peter Jeffery Publisher: Evangelical Press, 2000; 110 pp. $5.99 Recommendation (4-star scale): When I was in seminary, one of my Hebrew professors, who not only had a doctorate in Semitic languages from a prestigious university, but whose wife also had a doctorate in biology […]

Book Review: Big Truths for Young Hearts

Title: Big Truths for Young Hearts: Teaching and Learning the Greatness of God Author: Bruce A. Ware Publisher: Crossway, 2009; 234 pp. $15.99 Recommendation (4-star scale): More than one parent has been stumped by the question, “what should I teach my child about God?” Perhaps having read through a basic Bible story book, the young […]

Today’s Quote – Theology (Challies)

Tim Challies, The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment: Richard Phillips writes, “Theology bores today’s Christians, which is another way of saying we are bored with God himself.

Grab bag

This morning I caught up on some blog reading (I only check them sporadically these days). Here are a variety of links that I found interesting and beneficial: Al Mohler, “The Delay of Marriage and the Decline of Church Attendance” Al Mohler, “The Real Population Threat” “How to Pray for Joni Eareckson Tada” (and many […]