Outline Introduction: On Authority In the present-day postmodern West, authority is perceived as a “medieval” concept. Love itself has been redefined in alienation to authority: a “liberated love” that democratizes authority in crowning every man the ruler of his own life. Ironically, in seeking to dismantle authority, our culture has deified authority. We don’t hate…
Tag: Theology
5-Minute Systematics: The Word of God
Outline Introduction: Where Does Theology Come From? If systematic theology is a method of studying God in order to know, love, obey, and glorify him, what or who do we go to as source(s) for theology? Where should we draw theology from? Moreover, what or who should we look to as the authority in…
Living Out Your Theology: The Imago Dei
I remember being curious about one of my pastors. I wondered why it was so easy for him to be kind, gracious, and loving towards people who I found rather strange or socially awkward. Where I tried to look for a quick exit ramp in conversations with these people, he would hold conversations with them that lasted for several minutes.
Why Every Christian Should (Worshipfully) Study Systematic Theology
Just as a wife seeks to know the intricate details of her husband so that she might love him more with greater intimacy and depth, so we as the people of God, Christ’s bride (Ephesians 5:32ff; cf. Revelation 19:6-9), spend the rest of our days desirously growing in the knowledge of God through his Word so that we might love and cherish him more and more until our faith is made sight.
Seeing the Glory of the Gospel in Jesus’ Feeding the Five Thousand
Setting the Stage Recorded in Mark 6:30-56 are the trifold miracles of Jesus feeding five thousand men with five loaves and two fish, Jesus walking on water, and Jesus healing the sick. Oftentimes, these texts — as well as their parallel accounts in Matthew, Luke, and John — are preached with the conclusion that Jesus…
What is Personal Holiness?
Preface This article is a condensed and edited excerpt of my position paper On Personal Godliness from the chapter “What is Personal Holiness?” For the excerpt on “What Motivates Our Pursuit of Holiness?” go here. For “How Do I Grow In Christ-likeness?” go here. Introduction Before speaking in a more systematic fashion on personal holiness,…
Why Pursue Holiness?
Preface This article is a condensed and edited excerpt of my position paper On Personal Godliness from the chapter “What is the Motivation of Personal Holiness?” For the excerpt on “What is Personal Holiness?” go here. For “How Do I Grow In Christ-likeness?” go here. Introduction The gospel is the good news that man can…
How Do I Grow in Christ-likeness?
Preface This article is a condensed and edited excerpt from my position paper On Personal Godliness from the chapter “How Do You Grow in Personal Godliness?” For the excerpt on “What is Personal Holiness?” go here. For “What is the Motivation of Personal Godliness?” go here. How Do You Grow in Personal Godliness? To grow…
Are We Praying With Our Hands Tied Behind Our Backs?
There was a moment the summer after my freshman year of college that completely transformed the way I perceived my prayer life. The occasion was a small prayer meeting for our city of Fort Wayne. Towards the end of the meeting, one of the young ladies in the circle prayed for us to grow in…
Have You Made Worship About You?
The staff person on stage finishes the announcements while you make haste to finish shaking hands with the older gentleman in the row behind you. You remember shaking his hand last week; he had that firm, strong two-pump Baby-Boomer handshake, whereas your hand was a limp lump of awkwardness barely making it halfway into the…
Staff + Sword Co. 