Author: S&P
Can a Person Be Overly Righteous?
Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself? (Ecclesiastes 7:16) Can “be not overly righteous” really be saying what it seems to be saying? Does God actually want us to tone down our righteousness? In order to correctly determine the meaning of this clause, it must first be placed in its immediate context. The context of v. 16 is found in the paragra...
Tell Your Story Effectively
The task of evangelism often includes telling our individual story along with the larger gospel story. Weaving the two together makes for a powerful articulation of God’s gracious work through all times and his specific salvific work in an individual heart – namely, yours. Many have supported their emphasis on sharing a personal testimony by pointing out that Paul did so numerous times i...
The Death of Empathy
In an article on the Steubenville, Ohio, rape trial, Keith Ablow argued that we have raised a generation with little to no empathy. In it he correctly identifies one of the causes: Having watched tens of thousands of YouTube videos with bizarre scenarios unfolding, having Tweeted thousands of senseless missives of no real importance, having watched contrived “Reality TV” programs in which people a...
The Introvert’s Excuse?
I spend a lot of time alone. And I like it. Working on my laptop, reading a book, or just listening to the birds outside my window, I cherish any time I get to myself. As an introvert, I’m wired that way. I enjoy (some) people, but I need my time alone. I worry, though, about the possibility that embracing how I’m “wired” can become an excuse, a temptation to avoid opportunities/responsibilities s...
Happy, Happy, Happy
The Duck Dynasty (A&E) family patriarch, Phil Robertson, talks with Alex Crain (Christianity.com) about his new book “Happy, Happy, Happy: My Life and Legacy as Duck Commander” (Howard Books/Simon and Schuster, 2013). Phil emphasizes the importance of keeping families intact and calls Christians everywhere to infuse good into our culture, love our neighbors, and boldly present the gospel of Je...
Lessons on Sin from a Good Doctor
AUTHOR: COURTNEY ELLIS (COURTNEY’S 2ND BOOK ALMOST HOLY MAMA RELEASED JUNE 3RD! IT’S FUNNY, THEOLOGICALLY RICH, AND AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO ANY MAMA TRYING TO GROW CLOSER TO JESUS!) I’ve apparently and unfortunately reached the age where previously normal moles go a little haywire. “That’s going to need to come off,” said the doctor, holding my ear in a gloved hand, peering closely at i...
Is the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) a warning about hell?
My book, What is Hell? is now available on Amazon. I am doing a series of podcast studies that focus on some of the content from the book. The studies look at the eight key terms that are often equated with hell, and about a dozen key passages that are thought to teach about hell. If you want to learn the truth about hell and what the Bible actually teaches about hell, make sure you get a copy of ...
Why Is Waiting on God So Hard?
Most of us don’t like waiting. We are annoyed with lengthy checkout lines at the store, frustrated by long red lights, and (if you live in northern Indiana like me) depressed with the lingering of winter temperatures in the middle of April. But we especially don’t like waiting on God. Of all the commands of Scripture, perhaps this is one of the hardest to obey. But the times and seasons for waitin...
The Significance of Little Moments
In his wisdom, God has crafted a life for us that does not careen from huge, consequential moment to huge, consequential moment. In fact, if you examine your life, you will see that you have actually had few of those moments. You can probably name only two or three life-changing situations you have lived through. We are all the same; the character and quality of our life is forged in little moment...
Leave Suburbianity Behind
I’m preparing to interview the author of a book called Suburbianity (Harvest House, 2013). Byron Forrest Yawn is a Nashville-based pastor who has also written a helpful book for dads like me called What Every Man Wishes His Father Had Told Him. Byron’s writing style is vivid and engaging, so Suburbianity is an easy, enjoyable read. The book is also saturated with Scripture. (...
Biblical Gender Roles
About Manhood and Womanhood God has much to say about manhood and womanhood in the Bible. Discover what it means to be a Christian father. Learn all about masculinity. Discover who God is as our heavenly Father. Listen to teachings about the traits of a Godly spouse. Hear the blueprint for femininity. Hear Biblical scholars discuss the tough issues faced in today’s culture. See the opinions ...
What Is Scripture?
What is Scripture? All religious traditions that ground themselves in texts must grapple with certain questions. In worship services and public and private readings, Christians often turn to Scripture for guidance: to the stories of Abraham or Moses to the Psalms to the prophecies of Isaiah to the life of Jesus to the letters of Paul to the vision of John Therefore, Christians must confront their ...
