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?
“Practicing” Forgiveness
This morning toward the end of my prayer walk, I waved at three people (all from the same family, I think) who were standing at the top of their driveway.[1] They smiled and waved back, but didn’t make any attempt to restrain their off-leash dog—which suddenly bolted in my direction, growled menacingly, and started jumping … Continue reading “Practicing” Forgiveness
Some Things Shouldn’t Even Be Talked About (Ephesians 5:3,12)
Did you know that the Bible tells us that there are certain things we shouldn’t even talk about? The apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 5: “But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints” (5:3). Nine verses later, Paul adds: “For it is shameful … Continue reading Some Things Shouldn’t Even Be Talked About (Ephesians 5:3,12)
Whether-by-Life-or-Death Prayers
In Philippians 1:19, Paul writes, “for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance.” New Testament scholars disagree about what Paul is affirming. A proper understanding of this verse can help us increase our confidence in prayer. Option 1: Physical Deliverance. … Continue reading Whether-by-Life-or-Death Prayers
Kindle Afresh 