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 […]

How can we know 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.” When children are first learning language and the margins of their world are […]

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 […]

Jesus and marriage

Jesus went to weddings (see John 2) and talked about marriage (see Matthew 5 and 19), but it is clear that Jesus was not married. Yet secular writers (see Dan Brown) often argue that He was married. And another such speculation has arisen in the past week. A small Coptic manuscript was found that purports […]

Satan and sin — two defeated foes

Many believers live day-to-day in discouragement and even despair over their sin. They erringly believe that they cannot escape their sin. They rightly believe that there is forgiveness and cleansing for every sin, but they wrongly believe that their sinful habits and patterns cannot change. In Colossians 2, Paul articulates two glorious truths for the […]

The sufferings of Christ — and our sufferings

“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions” (Col 1:24). Too often the misconception that the Christian life is a life of ease and simplicity without trial and […]

Declaring the Gospel

We know that we are to communicate the gospel — to speak it, declare it, articulate it, and defend it. Yet many of us miss opportunities to speak the gospel, as this chart demonstrates: Part of the reason we don’t tell the gospel is because we don’t know the gospel well enough to say it […]

Why reading Christian biography is good for the soul

I had a really effective (and fun) history teacher in seventh grade. Her students did so well that observers from the school district and other educators came into her class to find out what made her so effective. By the time I reached seminary, all those fun days in history forgotten and replaced by prototypical […]

You are in a spiritual battle

You are in a spiritual battle — be aware of the wartime realities. Despite all that Christ has done, the battle against Satan’s influences still rages. That’s why Paul says in Ephesians 6, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that […]

When God changes a man, he lives to please the Lord

It took 38 years of watching the Texas Rangers, but a couple of years ago I finally heard the words that every baseball fan loves to hear about his team: “The Rangers are going to the World Series.” I wanted to hear that so much, I’ve actually made it my ring tone on my cell […]