We live in an unprecedented time, where all the problems of the world demand our constant attention and immediate judgment on social media. Through technology, we’re connected to events all over the nation and the world. Very quickly, people are polarized into those who are “for” and those who are “against” whatever controversy happens to …
Continue reading Are you responsible for every social media controversy?
A “quarrel” is a verbal fight. Not all conflicts are quarrels, but a conflict becomes a quarrel when it’s sinfully combative or contentious. The Bible has quite a bit to say about quarreling: • People can quarrel over property (Gen 26:20-24).• They quarrel with their leaders and with God (Ex 17:2, 7; Num 20:3, 13; …
This can be a sensitive and controversial topic among Christians for a variety of reasons. As practical and important as the question is, it's not an essential of the Christian faith, nor should it divide Christians or churches. Here is how I've worked out the answer in my own thinking. 1. Children are a blessing. …
The Bible teaches us to search the Scriptures (Acts 17:11), and to rightly handle the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). Christians are to hide God's Word in their hearts (Psalm 119:11). And yet, many people want to avoid difficult questions of theology. They make excuses for not coming to careful biblical conclusions about what …
Continue reading What are some reasons people wrongly avoid studying theology?
Classical liberals often say that Christianity is a life, not a doctrine. Have you ever heard anyone say that? People sometimes say: It doesn’t really matter what you believe. What matters is that you love other people. What matters is that you do good in the world, rescue the oppressed, care for the sick and …
Continue reading Is Christianity a religion of doctrine or love?
The biblical way children should come to assurance of salvation is no different from the way adults should come to assurance of salvation. The Bible teaches that there are three grounds of assurance: 1. The promise of the gospel in Jesus Christ, 2. The inward witness of the Holy Spirit, and 3. The evidence of …
Continue reading How can parents help their children get assurance of salvation?
Historically, American Calvinistic Baptists have been fairly unified on their understanding of the role of civil government. They expressed their views in various confessions but the the Second London Baptist Confession was their mother confession. In Chapter 24, Of the Civil Magistrate, it provides the historic Calvinistic Baptist understanding of the role of civil government. …
Fear is a natural emotion common to all human beings, and it is neither inherently sinful or godly. Our fears are often connected to the things we love the most. We may fear losing something or someone we love. Or we might fear that we will fail to obtain something we desire. We may fear …
There seems to be a fair amount of confusion today about what it means to be “under the law.” And there’s confusion about what it doesn’t mean. Some suggest that all of the members of the Old Covenant were “under the law.” Others say that for a believer to accept any commands or directives from …
Forgiveness is at the heart of the Christian faith. Christ died to forgive our sins and to reconcile us to God. And Jesus taught that His disciples must forgive those who sin against them. He said, “if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matt 6:15). Forgiveness is …
Continue reading When does forgiveness not lead to reconciliation?
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