Part 14 in a series of Sunday posts celebrating the glorious Truth we believe as Christians. The readings are quoted from the Elder Affirmation of Faith, of my church, Bethlehem Baptist (Pastor John Piper). I’m doing this because every few weeks our congregational reading is an excerpt from this document, and every time we [...]
Continue reading about We Believe (#14): Death, Resurrection, and the Coming of the Lord
Christians, like everyone else suffer pain and sorrow in this world. Many blame such suffering on the devil, from a praiseworthy desire not to blame God. Other Christians do blame God and doubt his provision and love for them. How could God let this happen to me? She was such a [...]
People sometimes instinctively blame God for pain and suffering. Evangelical Christians for the most part grimace at this.
Open Theists counter that God didn’t cause it, and couldn’t prevent it–but He loves you anyway. Arminians respond that God merely allows evil, he is not responsible directly for your pain.
Calvinists, however, claim that God ordains [...]
Continue reading about If God Merely Allows Suffering and Pain, How Is He Not Responsible?
I posted the following post on Kingdom Surge, and thought it would work well to post it here as well.
[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3450279537344936461&hl=en]
In her book Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary GodNoel Piper presents a biographical sketch of the life of Helen Roseveare, missionary to the Congo for over 20 years. The above video clip is a 4 minute [...]
Continue reading about Helen Roseveare: Her Suffering & Her Challenge
Note: these are devotional posts based on John Piper’s new book What Jesus Demands from the World.
This post is number 11, because I started the series a while ago. If you like this post, check out the other posts in the series. But most importantly get the book (it’s also available to read [...]
Continue reading about Jesus’ Demands — Fear Him Who Can Destroy Both Soul And Body in Hell (#11)
Like most of you, I was saddened with the news of the Virginia Tech Massacre. 32 people tragically killed — an unthinkable and senseless act indeed.
I watched the afternoon service held at the University yesterday afternoon. There was not much hope offered. No one really made sense of the devastation. The [...]
Any thoughtful Christian has stumbled over the question, “Why did an all powerful God permit sin? Why does sin exist?”
Before I go on to “answer” that question, let me affirm that we humans have limited minds and limited abilities to grasp such “why” questions. Ultimately, God is the potter and can do what He wants. [...]
This is just a brief post to let you know Time magazine recently interviewed Al Mohler regarding his Calvinism, and his recent near-death hospital stay. He did recover fully, by the way. But Time’s interview gives a fascinating insight into how secularism looks at both Christianity and Calvinism. This is definitely worth [...]
Demand #8 — Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me
If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. (Matt. 16:24-5)
Follow me, and I will make [...]
Continue reading about Jesus’ Demands — Take up your Cross and Follow Me (#8)
Hebrews 12:1-17 speaks of the Christian life as a race. Here are some thoughts concerning that race which were helpful in my Christian walk/race!
I. Pattern for our race.
A. OT Saints (chapter 11)
Ran it by faith
Endured hardship (self-chosen risk and external persecution)
Had a definite goal in view (Abraham = heavenly city; Moses = wealth/reward of Christ)
B. [...]
Continue reading about The Christian Life As a Race–Heb. 12:1-17
Recent Comments
Thanks for the kind words, JJ. What I mean is that because we were ordained to eternal life, we ...
Nicely done, Bob! I think I agree with 95% of it... and I don't usually agree with 95% of ...
Thanks Matt. Good thoughts.
Great summary Bob! Short yet lacking nothing. Thanks. Regarding the freedom of the will no one choose that goes against their ...
Thanks Cris, I'll check it out.