Boundless published an article today called God's Purpose for Christmas. Here's how it opens:The Christmas decorations are out, and holiday music fills the air. But Christmas means different things to different people. For some, the Christmas season is about having survived another year, enjoying extra time to reconnect with family and friends, and bargain-hunting for great gifts. In fact, many who celebrate Christmas don't think much about a reason for the season. Or if they do, it's just a swirl of unrelated thoughts about family traditions and a generic sense of good-will toward all. Read … [Read more...] about God’s Purpose for Christmas
Theology
RC Sproul Jr.: On the Passing of His Wife
Yesterday, Dr. R.C. Sproul, Jr. reported that his wife Denise went home to be with the Lord, following a protracted battle with cancer. Today, he published a reflection that he wrote two days prior to her passing. He discusses our ungrateful tendency to forget past blessings, rather than remember how God in His providence has delivered us and graced us in countless ways. He writes: "...as I face a future without the spiritual wisdom of my bride it is less important that I bank what I can still receive from her, and more important that I give thanks to God for all the wisdom He has bestowed … [Read more...] about RC Sproul Jr.: On the Passing of His Wife
Why We Need Jesus – Michael Horton
Writing in Christianity Today, Horton's article begins this way: A passenger on a recent plane trip happily divulged his spiritual views. Raised in a conservative religious home, he proudly dismissed traditional Christianity, with its radical claims about Jesus of Nazareth, because it substitutes dogma for reason, he said. Fifteen minutes later, he became an apologist for a sacred cosmos, with tarot cards and astrology. But of course, he said, these were true just for him. The encounter epitomized what we have all experienced in a culture that identifies reason with naturalism and faith … [Read more...] about Why We Need Jesus – Michael Horton
Our Calling and God’s Glory
That's the title of an excellent article by Gene Veith on the doctrine of vocation. From the introduction: Whereas the doctrine of justification has wide currency, the doctrine of vocation has been all but forgotten. The word vocation can still be heard sometimes, but the concept is generally misunderstood or incompletely understood. The doctrine of vocation is not "occupationalism," a particular focus upon one's job. The term means "calling," but it does not have to do with God's voice summoning you to do a great work for him. It does not mean serving God by evangelizing on the job. Nor … [Read more...] about Our Calling and God’s Glory
Ministering to the Depressed
David Murray, author of Christians Get Depressed Too (Reformation Heritage Books, 2010): David P. Murray is Professor of Old Testament and Practical Theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. HT: Justin Taylor … [Read more...] about Ministering to the Depressed
Jesus + Nothing = Everything
I'm about 50 pages into Tullian Tchividjian's new book, Jesus + Nothing = Everything, and really enjoying it so far. A few of the endorsements: “In an evangelical culture where so many of us are unaware that the gospel isn’t just what we believe to save us but also what sustains us and carries us into maturity, this book hammers home the gospel’s power for the believer. Whether you have been in church your whole life or recently converted, this book will fuel your affections for our great God and King.” - Matt Chandler, Lead Pastor, The Village Church, Highland Village, Texas; … [Read more...] about Jesus + Nothing = Everything