Reflections on the loving kindness of the Triune God
Sin is ironically powerful. It has all the power of a runaway human ego. It can undermine great rulers, break the strongest vows, blind the most able scholars, and even crucify God himself. But ironic? Yes, ironic because sin has no extrinsic power over the sinner. Sin, instead, is an inner ambition of the soul. …
Read More Moral SightThe word “compassion” appears twice at the end of 2 Chronicles. In 36:15 we read the God “had compassion” on his people and his temple: given their responsiveness to God they were spared from disaster. But a moment later, in verse 17, we read just the opposite. God unleashed the Babylonian army on his people, …
Read More Looking for CompassionGod will welcome many to his glory in eternity. Yet this good news touches a sensitive issue: it’s clear from the Bible that God draws some—but not all—to join him. So how does he make his choices? Does he measure the quality of human conduct, as in a naughty versus nice equation? Or before creation …
Read More How God DecidesAll of us collect low-grade bruises on a regular basis. I felt like a victim again last night when the hotel clerk sweetly told me I needed to sign over another $45—“just overnight”—after I had prepaid the room fee weeks before. This was “just a security hold” for any added services I might use. But …
Read More What Really Matters?Think of a time you were surprised when a person you’ve just met turns out to be close to one of your very dear friends who lives in a distant place. A pair of responses usually follows. First you both compare notes about the shared friend and these validate the connection. And next the new …
Read More Instant RecognitionWith the rhythm of a drummer the prophet Ezekiel called on readers to know and respond to God—Yahweh—as the only true God. His repeated refrain was a promise: “Then they shall know that I am the LORD.” What brings about this “knowing”? Mainly it comes by experiencing promised disasters when they arrive. Tragedies are God’s …
Read More They Shall KnowI noticed the two questions Jesus asked his audience in Luke 18: “And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith …
Read More Christ’s Two QuestionsThis entry has also been submitted to the Cor Deo site In ancient days a violent storm or a volcano eruption were readily explained: “The gods must be angry!” “The gods” seem to have been capricious beings who used the earth as a whipping post. So what about the true God’s anger and our experience …
Read More The gods must be angry!God does good work. And his success doesn’t rely on us. This paired premise of the Bible—and the experience of many who know him well—is obvious in principle. But it isn’t so easy to accept in practice. If this sort of confidence in God was widespread we would see much more of the transformation faith …
Read More Help Wanted!Curt sent me a link to a “nerdist” website that features a bicycle with a gear added to reverse the steering. When a rider turns right the front wheel turns left, and vice versa. So every instinct of the rider is wrong. The results are awkward: each effort to pedal ends in an instant upset. …
Read More Awkward Faith