Desiring God national conference live-stream

Desiring God’s national conference, “Act the Miracle” — a conference highlighting the doctrine of sanctification — begins tonight. All sessions will be live-streamed here. This is the schedule: September 28 John Piper, 8:30 PM (EDT) September 29 Kevin DeYoung, 10:00 AM (EDT) September 29 Ed Welch, 11:30 AM (EDT) September 29 Jarvis Williams, 2:45 PM […]

What is sin?

This post is part of 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 are archived under the category “Theology 101.” Sin is defined as a transgression of the law of God — a […]

Be heavenly minded

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21; NASB). Jonathan Edwards was a man who longed for heaven. In one sermon he said, “Labor to obtain such a disposition that you may choose heaven for your inheritance and home, and may earnestly long for it and be willing to […]

Jesus’ Wife fragment update

An update from Dan Wallace this morning on the recently found fragment commonly referred to as “Jesus’ Wife:” “News flash: Harvard Theological Review has decided not to publish Karen King’s paper on the Coptic papyrus fragment on the grounds that the fragment is probably a fake.” This from an email Dr. Craig Evans, the Payzant […]

Who is man?

This post is part of 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 are archived under the category “Theology 101.” Plato said, “Man is nothing more than a featherless biped.” (So one of […]

What’s your reputation?

When George Whitfield died in 1770, American statesman and deist Benjamin Franklin wrote of him, “I knew him intimately upwards of 30 years. His integrity, disinterestedness and indefatigable zeal in prosecuting every good work, I have never seen equaled and shall never see excelled.” That’s quite a commendation of a preacher of the gospel from […]

Who Are the Sons of God and Daughters of Men in Genesis 6:1-5?

The meaning of Genesis 6:1-5 is much debated. R. C. Sproul, Jr. provides as clear and simple an explanation as I’ve seen in a while: There are several competing theories on this admittedly peculiar text, a few of them fantastic, at least one of them rather pedestrian, ordinary. Some suggest, for instance, that what is […]

Who’s who in the early church

The apostle Paul’s letters often conclude with lists of greetings from or encouragements to particular people. The list of generally obscure names in Colossians 4 is typical and reveals the kinds of people God uses to accomplish his purposes. Consider Aristarchus, a captive man. He was from Thessalonica and went with Paul and Tychicus to […]

Who is God?

This post is part of 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 are archived under the category “Theology 101.” What are the essential truths to know about an infinite God? What are […]

One supreme book

This post is part of 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 are archived under the category “Theology 101.” I was a literature major in college. I love bookstores. New ones. Old ones. […]

Why seeking God is so important

Colossians 3 says that the believer is to “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth” (v. 2). To ask a question that a three-year-old might ask — Why? Why should we set out minds on God and seek Him (v. 1)? The passage offers five reasons […]

Some Kindle book deals

Here are some ongoing Kindle deals (act quickly; the prices change without notice): Andreas Kostenberger, God, Marriage, & Family: Rebuilding the Biblical Foundations ($4.61) Timothy Keller, The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness ($0.99) Kris Lundgaard, The Enemy Within: Straight talk About the Power and Defeat of Sin ($2.99) Dave Harvey, Rescuing Ambition ($3.99) Gene Veith, God at Work: Your […]

God’s lovingkindness is everlasting

Psalm 118 begins this way: Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Oh let Israel say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.” Oh let the house of Aaron say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.” Oh let those who fear the LORD say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.” (vv. 1-4) And it ends […]

Grab bag

Some helpful articles spotted recently: The timeline for the transition between John Piper and Jason Meyer as pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church has changed again. Read the plan and rationale from John’s pen. Addressing the same theme that I did in the post, “Satan and sin — two defeated foes,” Mike Riccardi writes about “Freed from […]

Spurgeon on the cross

Charles Spurgeon on the cross: The cross of Jesus is the foundation of the glory of the saints; Calvary is the birth-place of heaven; heaven was born in Bethlehem’s manger; had it not been for the sufferings and agonies of Golgotha we should have had no blessing. Oh, saint! in every mercy see the Saviour’s […]