When Larry Alex Taunton of Fixed Point Foundation explored why many American college students are atheists, a “composite sketch” emerged — which I found I agreed with.
Agreeing with Young Atheists
read more...
Blog
Latest Blog Posts from Wednesday in the Word, the podcast about what the Bible means and how we know.
05 The Example of Abraham (Romans 4)
The Apostle Paul argues in Romans 4 that everyone who will ever know God must follow the example of Abraham. The question is what is that example exactly?
04 Objections Overruled (Romans 3)
The disease of sin so damages the heart that nothing short of a heart transplant will cure the disease. Have you tried topical cures like serving the poor, church attendance, charity and bible study without submitting to actual conversion?
03 God’s Wrath and the Religious (Romans 2)
The early chapters of the book of Romans are like a courtroom drama where Paul acts as a prosecuting attorney, systematically proving the guilt of the human race in its rebellion against God.
02 God’s Wrath and the Pagan (Romans 1:18-32)
If you were to ask the average person on the street whether God exists and who He is, what do you think you’d get?
01 The Power of the Gospel (Romans 1:1-17)
The book of Romans will change your life. Many scholars have claimed that Romans is the most important letter you’ll ever read.
Romans: Justification by Faith
A 24-week Bible study on the Paul’s letter to the Romans, perhaps the most important letter in the New Testament.
Who are you listening to?
Today we often seek preachers who tell us stories, make us laugh, and tickle our ears with poetry and platitudes. We would rather listen to Jon Stewart than Jonathan Edwards. We ought to think critically about how far we have slipped down the slope of valuing style over substance.
Observations on the Empty Nest
Random comments on life after children fly the nest.
Resentment: a biblical lesson
How do you handle it when life isn’t fair? It’s easy to grow frustrated with our own lot in life and resent those who seem to have it better. Consider the story of Miriam.
What is Tithing?
Is the tithe still applicable today? Does God really care how we spend our money? Can I wait until I can give cheerfully? Ken Elzinga answers these questions.
Rethinking the 20s
My grandmother remarked that when she was 20 marriage was the adventure — for both men and women — and career was a icing on the cake. Now education and achievement are considered the adventure while marriage (indeed any long-term relationship) is an afterthought. But it’s not working.
Women’s Retreat Survival Kit
A conference I attended gave each participant this simple and heartwarming “Conference Survival kit” which contained the following items and Scripture.
Easter celebrations
In the midst of all these glorious Easter celebrations — however appropriate they are — it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that Easter calls for humility and repentance.
Lance Armstrong and fallen heroes
Fallen heroes teach us that we need more than an earthly hero. Throughout biblical history, God gave us fallen heroes and failed solutions to prepare us for the only solution that works.
Solomon’s wisdom and last resorts
Solomon had real wisdom to offer a broken world. Yet, he failed to learn the most important lesson: Solomon valued the gift of wisdom more than the Giver of the gift.
Bible Study Disagreements: 2 Fixable Causes and How to Promote Understanding
Why do we have so much interpretative disagreement over the meaning of the Bible? Two explanations: one we can solve and one we can’t.
The Vow of Jephthah
The story is tragic in part because he expected an animal, but also because his vow reveals his lack of faith in God.
Where was the manger and what was the inn?
You have seen, heard, and sung the Christmas story so often you can recite the details by heart. Most of what you know is likely “cultural mythology.”
Parable of the Friend at Midnight
The parable of the Friend at Midnight does not promise that God will meet our every need or give us everything we ask for. Instead it teaches that God will give us the ultimate gift: righteousness.
Parable of the Talents
The Parable of the Talents is the last of three parables Jesus tells during a private discussion with the disciples about the end of the age. The parables focus on two themes: stay alert and persevere.
Parable of the Wise & Foolish Virgins
The Parable of the 10 Virgins is in a series parables Jesus tells his disciples privately about the end of the age. The parables focus on two themes: stay alert and persevere. The kingdom of heaven has a door that can and does close.
Parable of the Vineyard Workers
This parable could be titled the “Parable of the Compassionate Employer.” No one in this parable is underpaid. The complaint is from those who are justly paid and who cannot tolerate grace being given to others.
Parable of the Widow & the Judge; Parable of the Pharisee & Tax Collector
These two parables in Luke 18 (The Widow & the Unjust Judge and the Pharisee and the Tax-gatherer) deal with prayer. But the underlying theme is how we achieve justification.
Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
The only solution to real guilt is real forgiveness. Forgiveness is a universal need of all humankind. Not only is forgiveness something we all need, forgiveness is also something we must give. But how?
Parable of the Unjust Steward
The Parable of the Unjust Steward has always been disturbing. At first reading, Jesus appears to commend the steward for being a liar and a thief. Careful study reveals an alternative.
Parable of the Prodigal Son
The Pharisees grumble against Jesus for eating with sinners. Jesus responds with 3 parables which challenge their definition of repentance and their attitude towards repentant and unrepentant sinners.
Parable of the Good Samaritan
What do you do if you know that — left to yourself apart from the grace of God — you are unable to “go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37)?
Parable of the Wheat & Weeds
Since the Messiah was expected to establish his kingdom on earth and that would involve a moral cleansing, why isn’t Jesus judging Gentiles and evildoers? The Parable of the Wheat & the Tares explains why Jesus’ ministry is not meeting this expectation.
Parable of the Sower & the Seed
Since just what you would expect to happen in the Parable of the Sower & the Seed happens, this story must have sounded pointless to those who heard it without explanation. Why would Jesus tell it?
Understanding Parables
Parables are serious theology. But they are metaphorical theology. They teach through metaphor, simile, and dramatic action rather than through logic or reasoning, drawing us into the story.
Parables of Jesus
A 15-week study on the parables of Jesus. hey teach through dramatic action rather than through logic, drawing us into the story.
Once a believer, always a believer?
Can I resist the working of God’s grace in my life to the point where I am no longer saved?
Do I choose God or does God choose me?
You may never have thought this question through. You may be inconsistent in how you live it out. But how you answer some basic theological questions makes a world of difference in daily life.
When to Use Commentaries (and When Not To)
Commentaries can kick-start your thinking when you hit a dead end but should not be a substitute for your own work. Here’s my two rules of thumb.
Are congregations a means to an end or a flock to shepherd? 3 examples
What happens when pastors start looking at their congregation as a means to an end instead of a flock to shepherd? Consider these real-life examples of the ways 3 different churches went about seeking volunteers.