Exposition and Exhortation: Pattern of Emphasizing Indicatives and Imperatives in Preaching in the Book of Hebrews
Preaching is central in God’s plan to save and transform lives (1 Cor. 1:21; 2 Tim. 4:2). All of God’s people should have great interest in preaching because it is one of the foremost means God has chosen to form them spiritually. In this article, I have two groups in mind. First, I am writing to preachers, the ones who have the privilege of preaching God’s Word to local churches. Second, I am writing to church members, the ones who...
Virtue, Happiness, and the Fulfillment of Human Potential
by Nicolas Cruz Virtue is an essential quality of the Christian life; specifically, living virtuously enables us to achieve human flourishing and to fulfill our potential in God’s grand design. In this article, I will examine the four cardinal virtues as explained by Josef Pieper and suggest some ways the discipline of psychology interacts with the cardinal virtues.[1] Josepf Pieper and the Four Cardinal Virtues Josef Pieper, writing...
Reading Genesis 1:1–2:3 and Genesis 2:4–25 As Complementary, Not Contradictory
Critics sometimes assert that Genesis 1:1–2:3 and 2:4–25 present two separate creation accounts and that they contradict in relation to (a) the divine name and (b) the timing of the creation of plants, animals, and humans. Specifically, Genesis 1:1–2:3 refers to “God” and presents the creation of plants, then animals, then humans, whereas Genesis 2:4–25 refers to the “LORD God” and presents the creation of Adam, then plants, then...
Mere Spirituality: A Modest Proposal for Evangelical Spiritual Formation
C. S. Lewis in Mere Christianity likened the historic Christian faith to a hallway “out of which doors open into several rooms.”[1] He argued that these rooms are various denominations or theological traditions. The confessional distinctives are to be found in the rooms, not in the hallway. Yet, in case a reader is tempted to stay in the hallway, Lewis reminds us: “[I]t is in the rooms, not in the hall, that there are fires and chairs...
Neglecting to Meet Together: The Vital Role of the Church in Perseverance
Recently, I was scrolling through social media when I noticed someone holding up a book I have read, benefited from, and even distributed to others. What struck me about this social media post was that it claimed the author of the book had quietly apostatized from Christianity. I was not aware of this downfall, and although the author has not made any public statements regarding his deconstruction or apostasy, I suspect it is true...
John R. Gower and the Culture of Turn-of-the-Century Free Will Baptists (3/3)
Throughout history Christians have consistently been faced with the task of discerning what aspects of the culture could be reconciled with the Christian faith. While not every decision carries remarkable consequences, inattention to the danger of cultural influences has led some to abandon core doctrines or the faith altogether. Studying how our forebears have interacted with their culture can cultivate wisdom for our decisions in...
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