Whenever a people regularly gather, they will fall into certain customs. Those customs, what they do or don’t do, what they say or do not say, what they enact or do not enact, will become something they get accustomed to. And once they are accustomed to it, it becomes possible for their minds to drift …
Pulpit Honesty
“Stealing sermons is utterly indefensible. A preacher ought to be an honest man throughout. Sincerity, godly sincerity, should characterize him intellectually, as well as morally. His plans ought to be the genuine work of his own brain” (Shedd, Homiletics and Pastoral Theology, p. 121)
A Profound Mystery
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) “And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength” (Rev. 1:16). The description of Jesus Christ continues in the same vein. Here …
Unsurprising Surprise
We may take it as a settled principle that the more obvious impending judgment is, the less obvious it is. This clearly requires qualification. It is glaringly obvious to those who know how to read a story, and it is opaque to those whose behavior calling for judgment is the driving force of the story. …
Surveying the Text: Daniel
Introduction: The theme of the book of Daniel is the universal sovereignty of Jehovah over all the nations of men. This sovereignty was active through God’s providential oversight of historical events in the time of the Old Testament. But the book is also rich in promises with regard to the coming new era, the time …
The Dignity of Human Life
Today is “sanctity of human life Sunday,” a day that that pro-life Christians mark in protest of the infamous Roe v. Wade decision. We add our voices to that protest, rejoicing that a generation of bloodshed has not been able to shut down the conscience of the church. We lament that our protests have not …
Hors d’Oeuvres of the Eschaton.
At the end of human history, at the end of time as we know it, the Lord Jesus teaches us to anticipate the great marriage Supper. God has chosen and identified the bride that He desires for His Son, the engagement has been sealed, and the preparations are well underway. Messengers have been sent out …
Perseverance and Time
What are we to make of the question of perseverance and time? Some might want to say that God gives Himself in the present, and only in the present. A gift by definition, has to be received in the present in order to be a gift, right? No, not if we want to speak biblically. …
Surveying the Text: Esther
Introduction: In the book of Esther, God is never mentioned, but is everywhere present. His providence surrounds all the events and characters. If we think about it carefully, we can perhaps see why a human author is not mentioned. This account has a very plain way of presenting itself—“story by God.” The Text: “And let …
Savior of the World #2
Introduction: Far too many Christians take a phrase from Luther without the faith of Luther. They do believe that this world is “with devils filled,” but have no knowledge of the “one little word” which fells the evil one. That one little word is cross. Christ is the Savior of the world—not only because He …