If God sets rules, we are called to keep them. “If you love me,” says Jesus, “you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). “Here’s how we can be sure that we know God in the right way,” writes John: “Keep his commandments” (1 John 2:3 MSG). It’s even possible to speak of “loving” God’s rules, since they give us peace,…
“What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” (2 Timothy 1:13-14) “In other words, Theology is practical: especially now. In the old days, when there was less education…
The Need For Humility “Seek humility” (Zephaniah 2:3). In the year 1633, the religious scholars of the day were convinced that the sun revolves around the earth. They reached this conclusion from their reading of Scripture, believing it to be obvious, true, and not to be questioned. After all, Scripture says the sun rises and sets (Ecclesiastes 1:5), and must…
One of the most beautiful descriptions of what intellectual Christian faith involves was penned in the year 1077. In the first chapter of his Proslogion, Anselm writes these stirring words: I acknowledge, Lord, and I give thanks that you have created in me this your image, so that I can remember you, think about you and love you. But it…
Healthy Theology is only available if we are willing to grow and to hear things that challenge our thinking, and open our hearts. This means that a lover of God, and student of Scripture, has an open attitude toward learning. The word disciple literally means learner; so when we are called to be disciples, we are actually being asked to…
In Paul’s final letters to young preachers Timothy and Titus, he urges them to “teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1 NIV), because “the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:3 NIV). When I was growing up, this phrase was actually used as “code:” if a church advertisement said it…
Christian claim #1: “I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.” When Tom Wright was a chaplain at the University of Oxford, he would conduct a welcome service for “freshers,” newly arrived to the iconic city. One by one, each student would file out, greeting the speaker. Every year, a handful of students would say something…