Divine Grace and Human Responsibility in Bernard of Clairvaux
Philip Schaff described Bernard of Clairvaux as the “the model monk of the Middle Ages, the most imposing figure of his time, and one of the best men of all the Christian centuries” [1]. Yet many know very little of this important saint. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) was born into a wealthy family in northern France. Throughout his life, he was a monk, mystic, and theologian. Within a few centuries, he was the most oft-quoted...
Propriety, Not Antiquity
At the Christian college where I earned my Bachelor’s degree there is a dress code for all regular classes and chapel. For men, this entails a shirt and tie, with dress slacks; for women, a knee-length skirt with a modest blouse or a knee-length dress. Upon arrival, freshmen often question the reasons for a dress code, considering it either stodgy or arbitrarily constricting. However, if one takes the time to honestly inquire about...
Making Men: Discipleship on Purpose
It is no secret: I have a son. He is four years old, and his name is Isaac Thor Johnston. I am proud of him, and I love him. But most importantly, I am responsible for him. When I look at him, I see a host of possibilities and adventures that he will experience in his lifetime. He will grow in wisdom and stature. And depending on my faithfulness in discipling him, he will grow in favor with God and man. This is a task that many men...
The Persistence of Place: Reflections on Craig Bartholomew’s Where Mortals Dwell
Some of the most important aspects of life are those we often overlook. Many of us, to some extent, acknowledge that it is during illness that we realize we’ve taken good health for granted. For example, looking death in the eye, even the wealthy and famous often concede: “I wish I had spent more time with my family.” Committed Christians also find themselves repeatedly confronted with the theme of remembrance as they read the...
Shaken, But Not Stirred
Essay By Eric Thomsen “Before our next song, turn and shake a friend near you.” It was a moment before Chris realized what he had said to the congregation, and by that time a wave of laughter had already begun to sweep across the sanctuary. Red-faced, Chris grinned sheepishly, corrected himself, and the service continued. I laughed along with the rest of our church—slapping Chris on the shoulder and thanking him for...
The Covenant Framework of Scripture: A Hermeneutical Lens for Understanding the Bible
At the core of Scripture’s teaching is the covenant relationship that exists between Yahweh and His most prized creation—humanity. An interesting subject theologically, it is also a very practical area of inquiry as well. First, it provides a framework to answer several crucial questions: “Why does the Bible teach that mankind is condemned before God? How does God plan to restore His broken relationship with humanity? What role does...
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