I just finished reading Collin Hansen’s book, Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation. Keller went to be with the Lord on May 19, as many of you know. Hansen’s book about Tim Keller was released only a couple months prior to Keller’s passing. I appreciated this book and received extra benefit from it because … Continue reading Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation
One Way Christians Can Prepare for the Onslaught of Artificial Intelligence
Did you hear what happened to Erica Marsh, the rage-baiting leftist political commentator who had 130,000 followers on Twitter? The answer is nothing, since Erica Marsh probably never existed, and her Twitter account was likely faked. Prepare yourself. With the proliferation of AI (Artificial Intelligence), you’re going to hear a lot more stories about fake … Continue reading One Way Christians Can Prepare for the Onslaught of Artificial Intelligence
Should a Church Sing (American) Patriotic Songs During Its Worship Services?
I was serving as a part-time worship pastor in a church in one of New York City’s suburbs when the attacks of September 11, 2001 were launched. Soon after the attacks, a small contingent of vocal church members began to demand that we start to sing American patriotic songs during our worship services. That suggestion … Continue reading Should a Church Sing (American) Patriotic Songs During Its Worship Services?
Pray Like Polycarp
I was scheduled for part two of a root canal. (Woo hoo!) I realized I needed a better strategy entering round two than I had going into round one. I needed to be prepared to manage more than two hours of needles, whirling machines, grinding teeth (my teeth!), and a gag reflex akin to drowning. … Continue reading Pray Like Polycarp
Profound Skepticism: Has Modern Scholarship Impeded the Study of Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh?
The topic of Paul’s thorn in the flesh (2 Cor 12:7) is, on the one hand, like a puzzle to be solved—what could have caused Paul such agony?—and, on the other hand, the source of a powerful spiritual lesson—“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9). Perhaps … Continue reading Profound Skepticism: Has Modern Scholarship Impeded the Study of Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh?
The 12 Most Important Books of the Bible
Suppose a Christian were stranded on a deserted island and could only select 12 books of the Bible from which to read. Which books would be most valuable? Which books are most important for understanding the character of God, the person of Christ, how God redeems a fallen world, the mission of the church, and … Continue reading The 12 Most Important Books of the Bible
Is Jazz Music Christian?
I just finished reading A Supreme Love: The Music of Jazz and the Hope of the Gospel, by William Edgar. I enjoyed this book. It has a good chance of making my top-seven list for 2023 when I post my favorite Christian books at the end of the year. (Like this, this, this, this, and … Continue reading Is Jazz Music Christian?
What is Over-Realized Eschatology? What’s the Problem with it?
Over-realized eschatology is the assumption that all or most of what God has prepared for his people in the future can be experienced by God’s people in the present. Let’s break down this expression word-by-word. What is eschatology? Eschatology is the study of last things, that is, the end times. What is realized eschatology? Realized … Continue reading What is Over-Realized Eschatology? What’s the Problem with it?
Is the Christian Life Primarily Intense or Primarily Relaxed?
Should the Christian life primarily be viewed as intense (focused, passionate), or primarily as relaxed (peaceful, trusting)? Trudi and I regularly invite college students to our house for dinner, and this was the question we discussed during a recent dinner. As we conversed, students at the table brought up a variety of Scriptures, some of … Continue reading Is the Christian Life Primarily Intense or Primarily Relaxed?
One Day of Walking in the Spirit
What does it practically look like to walk in the Spirit? There is a short passage in my book, Walking in the Spirit, in which I try to imagine walking through a normal day in the Spirit. Since people often refer to this section of the book, I’ve decided to share it with you today. … Continue reading One Day of Walking in the Spirit
Kindle Afresh 