Reflections on the loving kindness of the Triune God
Righteousness—and how to achieve it—is at the heart of Christian faith. But what, according to the Bible, makes us righteous? Another word, justification – “to be made righteous”, refers to the same issue: how do we come into a proper standing with God? In Christianity at least three ways of determining righteousness have been promoted: …
Read More Righteous?The spiritual formation movement—popular among many Christians today—has certain attractions. Ignatius Loyola, the 16th century founder of the Jesuits, inaugurated this theme as he promoted a disciplined spirituality in his Spiritual Exercises. Spiritual Directors applied these exercises to aspirants during quietist retreats. Loyola, a former soldier, meant to spread the Catholic faith—and to suppress the …
Read More Spiritual FormationThis article is our current Cor Deo blog. Please offer any responses there: thanks! The Jesus who shows up in a bold, fast-paced, Bible reading is remarkably demanding and incredibly delightful. He overwhelms us both in what he offers and in what he asks for. The problem is that we’re not ready for it. So …
Read More The problem with JesusLet me ask a question that is mostly unspoken among Christians today: Is God troubled by the broad lack of response to him that we see throughout history? Or, more to the point, does the Bible ever address the question? Here are some of my preliminary thoughts. Your own thoughts and comments are invited as …
Read More NumbersIn the deeply immoral and anti-Christian environment found in Europe and North America today concerned Christians leaders and communities are offering very different responses. Some seek to engage unbelieving societal leaders in ongoing conversation with an ambition to redirect cultural mores and values through personal presence and winsome reason. Others move in the opposite direction …
Read More Faith OptionsWhat if Adam had told Eve, “No, my love, we won’t eat that fruit—it’s been forbidden to us. Our lovely God told me very directly, ‘Don’t eat from that tree’ and he’s to be trusted and obeyed no matter what the serpent said.” Or what if, as considered in 1 Samuel 13:13-14, Saul had proven …
Read More What if we loved God?Here’s a question. Do we pursue God or does God pursue us? Are we the seekers while God is coy and hard to get? Or is he persistently tugging, calling, and wooing us while we stubbornly deflect his efforts to win our hearts? The Bible emphatically supports the latter answer and dismisses the former—John 3:16-19, …
Read More Two AnswersThe “Fresher’s Fair” is offered by every British university as part of a new academic year. Recruitment displays and tables filled the room—a large meeting hall—as new students were being recruited. If, for instance, an arriving freshman is interested in joining the university crew he would be drawn to the proper spot by a pair …
Read More Faith in FocusAfter dinner our conversation turned to the social and moral changes we’ve seen over the years. We were all baby boomers—children of WWII era parents—so the memories of life as Christians in the 1950’s and 60’s were easy to recall. It’s a scene often repeated among aging adults throughout human history. Even in Moses’ day …
Read More A Dinner ConversationA note from Ron: My “Iron on Iron” post (July 22) touched just one aspect of a need today for strong spiritual and social coaching as boys grow into manhood. Broken homes create a special need on that score. Gretchen George, whose earlier guest entry here (January 25, 2010) is a must-read, returns to offer …
Read More A Father to the Fatherless