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The Value of Faith

The Lord of heaven and earth tests people to see if they have faith. This is one of the most obvious conclusions to draw from the biblical narratives. This testimony stands in sharp contrast to the remarkably strange notion we modern people have that somehow “good” people should be exempt from suffering and hardship. Perhaps this is a symptom of the advanced state of denial of reality within the minds of Americans or perhaps a demonstration of the sense of entitlement we Americans tend to have. I am not sure but I do know that it is a pervasive attitude. This tension between my stubborn will to make life conform to what I imagine to be good (that is, most convenient for me) and the actual constraints which physical needs, responsibilities and my own limitations place upon me was vividly illustrated to me recently. I got into a minor car accident earlier this year. Thank God no one was injured. However, two things stood out in my mind about this incident—one was that I was at fault

The Torah, Interpretation and the Perverse Mind

Having studied Scripture and the history of the Christian church for many years, I have concluded that one of the most remarkable changes among Christians involves the Hebrew Scriptures (what Christians have long called the Old Testament). In the earliest centuries the Hebrew Scriptures, specifically through the medium of the Septuagint (a clunky and more literal translation into Greek), were the primary source for study and explanation of the meaning of the Gospel. They asserted that the Gospel explained the meaning of the Scriptures and the Scriptures bore witness to the Messiah, the Lord Jesus. The study and use of the Old Testament, along with most of the New Testament documents, as Scripture, became normative at a very early date after the resurrection of the Lord. (I would argue that this was the case certainly by the end of the 1 st century or at the latest into the 2 nd century.) This perspective was important because they took the Lord’s words in Matthew 5:17-20 serious

Pure Pleasure

I am most impressed with the durability of actual pleasures. What I mean is real pleasure rooted in the good creation God made and utilized in an upright way. This is a new experience for me as I have been so accustomed to running, in so many different ways, from the inherent difficulties in life. I found that I could not take pleasure in things or even in you, my God. Anxiety and fear drove me constantly to the point that I did not stop to look at a beautiful sunset, or sit quietly enjoying a cup of tea or enjoy listening to my wife tell me about the day. I was too driven and busy to do “important” things to waste my time. I have long found a refuge of sorts in rational thought and reflection. This is why I have read so much over the years. But now the experience of reading and critical reflection is somehow different and my ability to enjoy the normal process of rational thought is enhanced. And with that also to enjoy seeing the beauty of the natural world and consciously do ro

How to Abide in Christ

Many years ago, when I was a student leader with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, at the University of Arizona, I was given an opportunity to speak to the group. This occasion was for our weekly meeting which met on the campus on a weeknight. I was both excited and frankly scared at this prospect. And this trepidation was not merely the usual nervous anticipation that is normal before doing public speaking. Rather, I was nervous because of prospect of talking about the topic that had prominently come to mind: Abiding in Christ. I had by that time been studying Scripture for some years and in my own estimation I was knowledgeable about the content of Scripture. I also had an inclination that this was a very important topic to address—for multiple reasons. But when it came time to get up there and speak that night, even though I followed through presenting the content of my prepared notes on John 15, I felt as though I had actually not understood what I had set out teach my peers

The Value of Faith

The Lord of heaven and earth tests people to see if they have faith. This is one of the most obvious conclusions to draw from the biblical narratives. This testimony stands in sharp contrast to the remarkably strange notion we modern people have that somehow “good” people should be exempt from suffering and hardship. Perhaps this is a symptom of the advanced state of denial of reality within the minds of Americans or perhaps a demonstration of the sense of entitlement we Americans tend to have. I am not sure but I do know that it is a pervasive attitude. This tension between my stubborn will to make life conform to what I imagine to be good (that is, most convenient for me) and the actual constraints which physical needs, responsibilities and my own limitations place upon me was vividly illustrated to me recently. I got into a minor car accident. Thank God no one was injured. However, two things stood out in my mind about this incident—one was that I was at fault and two was that

Seed, Soils and Salvation

It is remarkable how easily I miss the profound and important truth that the Lord taught—even after much study. Perhaps this is simply my inattention (probably so) or perhaps my unwillingness to “pay close to” what I hear the Lord Jesus say (Mark 4:24). Regardless, the most excellent Shepard is kind and patient with us. Is it no wonder that he had to reprove his twelve disciples repeatedly for be so dull of mind? What an extraordinarily powerful act of God it is to awaken us to pay attention to his word, to actually heed the Gospel message and then for God the Spirit to grow the “seed” of truth up so that human beings can be transformed spiritually! I have been very familiar with the Lord’s parable which is generally called the “parable of the sower” (Mark 4:1-9) and have overlooked another in that same section of Mark—that of the “growth of the seed.” This realization came to me as I read a book which cites and attempts to elaborate on the meaning and significance of this parable

Carnal Spirituality

At my home in the backyard we had a tree that we had severely trimmed back a couple years ago. A couple months ago my wife and I decided that it was necessary to cut this tree down to a stump. This was quite fun for me because we rented a chain saw and I got to cut it down. We thought that would be the end of our project with this tree. However, we have discovered that the roots are alive and are seeking to grow back—both on the stump itself and as far away as 6 feet from the stump. So based upon advice we received we are now trying to kill the roots of this tree before it damages the brick patio in the yard or the foundation of the house. This is indeed an interesting problem to have! In its natural ordered state, as designed by God, this tree will expand from the roots in order to reproduce itself. This action is built into the nature of the tree as organic life. And so the only way to prevent that new rebounding growth is to kill the tree at the roots. We who believe on the

Why the Demons Hate Us

Have you ever wondered why there is such fierce opposition to those who love and serve God? The Scriptures speak of this fact frequently. And my experience, and that of many others I know, confirms it. This is why the writers of Scripture call that powerful spirit the devil (“tempter”) and satan (“accuser”). I have been reading again C.S. Lewis’ book, The Screwtape Letters . I had forgotten just how brilliant and insightful this book is. Lewis makes the following series of observations about the motives and goals of the demons and of the living God (representing the perspective of the demons). “To us [demons] a human is primarily food; our aim is the absorption of its will into ours, the increase of our own area of selfhood at its expense. But the obedience which the Enemy demands of men is quite a different thing. One must face the fact that all the talk about His love for men, and His service being perfect freedom, is not (as one would gladly believe) mere propaganda, but