Blog

It was time. Since the fourth century, Christians have toured the land of Israel. “It is like visiting the home of a beloved friend,” one pilgrim suggested. “No matter how well you know the person, you understand him better having experienced his native environment.” So we landed in Tel Aviv on Monday afternoon and made[…]

In Charles Schulz’s classic, It’s a Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, a memorable exchange unfolds as Linus pens his annual letter to the Great Pumpkin. “When are you going to stop believing in something that isn’t true?” inquires Charlie, to which Linus retorts, “When you stop believing in that fellow with a red suit and white beard[…]

The resurrection of Jesus renews life with glorious purpose and inspires a new mode of living—to showcase hope, pursue justice, defend the vulnerable, and advocate on behalf of the weak—activities that revolve around a central message: “the crucified Savior is now alive!” It is an Easter morning faith that changes everything. As I prayed for[…]

We are born to die. Not that death is the reason why we were born, but it is an inescapable part of our future…

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9 (ESV) By the final week of Jesus’ life, he was famous. When he entered[…]

One of the greatest joys of performing a wedding is the pre-marital counseling that Angela and I offer a couple in advance of the big day. We usually meet in our home on several occasions to discuss issues such as theological compatibility, communication, finance, and romance. As I prepare to perform a wedding today, I[…]

Augustine’s first literary work as bishop was a two-book reply to certain questions about biblical interpretation. The questions had been sent to him by the successor of Ambrose in Milan, Simplician, who had also previously mentored Augustine during a season of spiritual difficulty. This following extract on divine mercy comes from Augustine’s answer to Simplician (in[…]

Founding director of International Awakening Ministries, Richard Owen Roberts is a world-renowned student of revival. His 9,000 volume collection on the subject forms the nucleus of Wheaton’s Billy Graham Center Library. In this passage from Repentance, he explains and insists that true repentance is more than inward pain. One can experience the deepest possible remorse over[…]

The most significant patristic source of the Protestant Reformation was Augustine of Hippo (354-430). The so-called Doctor of Grace, Augustine is especially illuminating during Lent when he explains how human temptation serves as an opportunity for Christ’s resurrection power. Such is the point of the following extract, drawn from his Commentary on the Psalms, 60:2-3.[…]

“We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” – Romans 8:37 I was with some friends recently at lunch and a few of us were reflecting on where we would be without Jesus. Our thoughts ran to unsaved loved ones, and old, unsaved friends who over the years have lived lives that were[…]