Of course, the Narnia stories are themselves stories, and we should be enjoying them on that level. As we have been talking about various “lessons” that we can take away from them, I have wanted to be careful that I didn’t wreck the stories by making sure that everybody gets Edified. But at the same …
You Are Chosen. So Choose.
This small portion of Deuteronomy is a wonderful summary of the whole—a mini-symphony in the midst of a much greater work. “And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee . . .” (Deuteronomy 10:12-22). What does God expect from you? The question is reminiscent of Micah 6:8. He wants Israel to …
Not Being Graded
We have assembled here yet again. We do so aware of our sinfulness, and our unworthiness, and this is something we have already confessed. But at the same time, we are commanded in Scripture to walk in a manner that is worthy of the name we have received. And you, as a particular congregation, need …
God Rest Ye Merry
We are now entering the season of Advent. And just as St. Paul told the Corinthians to observe the festival of Passover—which they did coming to the Lord’s Supper—by getting rid of the yeast of malice and wickedness, so you should take care to observe Christmas in the same fashion. This is the season of …
It All Comes Down to the Point
“Every art is itself and not some other art. Every general principle we reach must, therefore, have a peculiar mode of application to each of the arts” (C.S. Lewis, An Experiment in Criticism, p. 28).
Conservative Values
“No thoughtful Christian can consider the state of our culture today without considerable grief. The lawless are in power, the innocent suffer, the gullible believe, the taxable pay, the sages are befuddled, and everything gets progressively worse. One political party wants to drive us toward the cliff at seventy miles an hour, and the loyal …
Mythos or Logos
“As I have said, the author of the Fourth gospel speaks of the source of human evil and delusion as the ‘father of lies’ and the ‘murderer from the beginning.’ If this ‘father’ is a father from the beginning, and if what he fathers is lies, then the first lie must also have taken place …
To All of the Nations
Minister: Lift up your hearts! Congregation: We lift them up to the Lord! Have mercy, oh God; Have mercy on us. Bless us we pray, And make Your face shine, Shine down upon us, So that we might reflect. Reveal Your ways to all of the heathen, Your saving health to all of the nations. …
Faith Chews and Swallows
As we celebrate at this Table, we must always remember whose meal it is. We did not establish this Supper, but rather, the Lord Jesus did. He self-consciously sat down at the Passover meal with His disciples, which He said He had been longing to do, and in the midst of these old covenant symbols, …
Just Plain Grateful
We have just finished celebrating Thanksgiving, and we are on the threshold of Advent. Every worship service, every Lord’s Day, culminates in our celebration of the Eucharist, which is the table of Thanksgiving. In contrast, those who rebel against God in the first chapter of Romans are described as having two signature positions—their refusal to …