What Rule Hath God Given?

What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him? The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him. (Westminster Shorter Catechism, 1648, Question 2)   The Scriptures of…

What is the Chief End of Man?

Man's chief end is to glorify God, and enjoy him forever. (The Westminster Shorter Catechism, 1648, Question 1).   To Glorify God For from him and through him and to him are all things. - Romans 11:36 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living…

The Pitiable Christian

I'm going to make two lists. Then you'll read them and identify more with one of them. The key word is more. These are generalities. Read them as such.   Christian A Has a favorite sports team and knows the players, statistics, coaches, etc. by memory but does not have the same volume of scripture…

Christians Must Understand Contingency

Contingency: occurring or existing only if certain circumstances are the case. Similar terms: dependent, conditional, subject to, controlled by, hanging on. The Independent, unchanging, unconditional One The Bible opens with, “in the beginning, God created..”. Throughout scripture we see the implications of this statement, that God alone created everything that is created. Nothing exists outside of…

When They Leave You, God is There

You've heard it before, "I just never thought it would happen to me". We say this when we win the lottery, and when we're struck with tragedy.  "Time flies. You'll regret that when you're older. Kids grow up so fast. No church is perfect. People will let you down." All true. And yet, somehow, we…

Doctrinal Disagreement

Doctrinal Lines and Gospel Essentials As more time goes by in my Christian life, the more convinced I have become of certain doctrinal truths. I'm fully convinced I will never change my view on some of these truths, as I believe they are clearly displayed in the full biblical message. Some people disagree with me…

Should Christians Meditate?

Absolutely. Yes. Everyday. Words synonymous with meditate are contemplate, deliberate, muse, think, consider, reflect, concentrate. Basically, things we do on a daily basis anyways. So why the negative stereotype (in the minds of western christians, at least) with the word meditation? Well, as is the case with most stereotypes, there is misunderstanding and lack of…

Give Thyself Unto Reading

“The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when you come, bring with you, and the books, but especially the parchments.” 2 Timothy 4:13. He is inspired, and yet he wants books! He has been preaching at least for thirty years, and yet he wants books! He had seen the Lord, and yet he…

Three Days Sober

That's probably a laughable title. Who celebrates sobriety after just three days? And not even three total days, but two total days and half of a third? An addict does. That's who. What am I addicted to? Myself, mostly. Well, to be more precise I'm addicted to pleasing myself through a few specific indulgences, the…

Screwtape and Spirituality

Mere excess in food is much less valuable than delicacy. Its chief use is as a kind of artillery preparation for attacks on chastity. On that, as on every other subject, keep your man in a condition of false spirituality. Never let him notice the medical aspect. Keep him wondering what pride or lack of…

Four Observations From Ephesians 4

Very few people are interested in reading an article with only three pieces of new information. There's just not enough novelty. But if you propose five you're likely going to turn away potential readers because of commitment anxiety. So here I am, offering four of my observations while reading Ephesians 4 this past week! :)…