Hark! The Herald Angels Sing is one of my favorite Christmas carols. But almost three centuries have passed since it was composed, and the meaning of some of its lines may not be immediately obvious to everyone who sings this fine song. What do these words actually signify? Here is a line-by-line brief commentary on … Continue reading Hark! The Herald Angels Sing: Explained Line-by-Line
The Fathers on the Future: An Interview with Michael J. Svigel
I recently read Michael Svigel's 2024 book The Fathers on the Future: A 2nd-Century Eschatology for the 21st-Century Church (Hendrickson Publishers). This book is full of many insightful discussions—both biblical and patristic—all focused on the future. I reached out to Dr. Svigel to see if he’d be willing to do an interview on his book. I’m so happy … Continue reading The Fathers on the Future: An Interview with Michael J. Svigel
Is it Satan or God?
I was driving to work this morning and happened upon a Christian radio station where a preacher (I’m unsure who) was expositing a passage of Scripture.[1] Unlike so many radio preachers who play fast and loose with God’s word, this preacher was carefully unpacking the passage and making relevant applications. As the preacher moved toward … Continue reading Is it Satan or God?
Living in Community with Students: Benefits and Challenges
This blog post is adapted from an article I wrote a few years ago for Didaktikos: Journal of Theological Education, a semi-academic journal for people teaching in the theological disciplines.[1] I have updated the article to reflect the fact that Trudi and I have now been living in community with students for the past eight … Continue reading Living in Community with Students: Benefits and Challenges
How a Band Called “Love Song” Did Apologetics
I grew up listening to a Christian rock group called Love Song. I listened to their music all the time. I even got to meet one of their founding members when I was in my youth. Love Song has sometimes been described as The Beatles of contemporary Christian music because of the oversized influence they … Continue reading How a Band Called “Love Song” Did Apologetics
An Easy Way to Memorize the Beatitudes
Not long ago, I helped a group of young adults memorize the famous verses below using hand motions. Perhaps you can do the same. (Adapt to whichever translation you normally use. We used ESV for this memorization project.) 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Flat hand patting down on … Continue reading An Easy Way to Memorize the Beatitudes
How Can I Increase My Love for God’s Word?
How can I grow to love God’s Word more than I currently do? One night recently, I had trouble falling asleep. So I got up and spent three hours in Psalm 119. I addressed a single question to this amazing psalm: What can I do to increase my love for God’s Word? Why Psalm 119? … Continue reading How Can I Increase My Love for God’s Word?
A Heart Aflame for God: An Interview with Matthew Bingham
I recently read a deep and thoughtful book on Christian living entitled A Heart Aflame for God: A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation. I reached out to the author, Matthew Bingham, to see if he would be willing to do an interview about his book. I’m delighted that he agreed! Ken Berding (KB): First, can … Continue reading A Heart Aflame for God: An Interview with Matthew Bingham
Keeping Promises
She broke her promise. She vowed to love, respect, and stay faithful to her husband—for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, till death parted them. But she was enticed by an immoral man, and after the first, others like him. Her unfaithfulness became a habit, and her habit a lifestyle. … Continue reading Keeping Promises
“That’s Just Wrong!” Is it Wrong, or is it Unwise?
How many times have I heard someone say, “That’s just wrong!” when the action being discussed isn’t wrong in a moral sense, but is simply unwise from the perspective of the speaker? This got me thinking about the nexus between morality and wisdom, between an action being right or wrong, on the one hand, and … Continue reading “That’s Just Wrong!” Is it Wrong, or is it Unwise?
Kindle Afresh 