Morbid Curiosity

I’ll bet you’re curious to know what this post is about! Actually, I love curious people, and find those who lack curiosity to be a bit boring. Still, there are some things that are good to be curious about, and others that vie for our attention that are not edifying. Here are two things worthy of … Continue reading Morbid Curiosity

Listening and Instructing in Counseling: How Much of Each?

I’m not writing this post as a counselor, but rather as a student of the Bible. Today I’m less interested in what is effective in counseling, though that is certainly a worthwhile inquiry (even if it should be pursued by someone more qualified than I). Today I want to investigate whether the Bible has anything … Continue reading Listening and Instructing in Counseling: How Much of Each?

Revival Without the Bible Won’t Last

In 1859 and then again in 1904 a deep and penetrating work of the Holy Spirit engulfed the country of Wales. Wales had already seen many other periods when God had moved in revival—perhaps more than any geographical location in the history of Christianity. But these two spiritual awakenings were two of the most significant. … Continue reading Revival Without the Bible Won’t Last

Spiritual Tools for Car Trouble on Vacations

“It wouldn’t be a Berding vacation without car trouble!” So remarked one of my adult daughters two days ago just after her tire shredded on the California freeway on our way to a family vacation at Lake Arrowhead. Unbelievably, this is family vacation seven (yes, #7!) in which we’ve found ourselves in an auto shop. … Continue reading Spiritual Tools for Car Trouble on Vacations

Psychiatric Diagnoses and Psychoactive Medications: A Short Book Review

What do you do when someone in your church tells you that he or she has been diagnosed with _____________ (fill-in-the-blank) psychiatric disorder? How do you respond when you learn that he or she has already begun taking a psychoactive medication to alleviate the problem? How should a regular Christian evaluate psychiatric diagnoses and appraise … Continue reading Psychiatric Diagnoses and Psychoactive Medications: A Short Book Review

When C.S. Lewis Goes Astray: How to Resolve the Tension

Many of us admire C.S. Lewis for his unusual ability to clearly, intelligently, and winsomely explain and defend various Christian doctrines. Think merely of…Mere Christianity. I am happy to be numbered among Lewis’s admirers. Nevertheless, the more I have pondered Lewis, the more I have become convinced that he is sub-biblical in some of his … Continue reading When C.S. Lewis Goes Astray: How to Resolve the Tension