Growing Deeper Into the Soil of God's Word to Bear Fruit For His Kingdom
As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more.... Continue Reading →
“For many are invited, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14) This is an interesting end to the parable of the wedding banquet. The parable begins with a joyous invitation to the wedding banquet of the King. Then suddenly, shockingly, unbelievably, the guests decline the invitation. They have better things to do: more work to do,... Continue Reading →
Abraham replied, “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.” “No, Father Abraham,” he said, “but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.” He said to him, “If they will not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone comes back from... Continue Reading →
Peter J. Leithart, Traces of the Trinity: Signs of God in Creation and Human Experience. Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2015. 165 pages. The doctrine of the Trinity has seen a resurgence of interest in recent years. Scores of books have been written, some reiterating classic Christian teaching and seeking to trace the implications of the... Continue Reading →
“A farmer went out to sow his seed…” (Luke 8:5a) As a child raised in the city, I knew very little about farming. For a long time, I simply took for granted that this line was the beginning of Jesus’ parable. But the longer I live in Iowa, the more I see the work assumed... Continue Reading →
Wesley Hill, Spiritual Friendship: Finding Love in the Church as a Celibate Gay Christian. Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2015. 137 pages. We had a saying about family when I was growing up: “You can pick your friends, but you can’t pick your relatives.” While this saying is meant to indicate the value and permanence of family, it... Continue Reading →
“…In anger his master handed him over to the jailors to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.’ ‘This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’” (Matthew 18:34-35) If I’m honest, I find these verses a little... Continue Reading →
Wesley Hill, Washed And Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness and Homosexuality, Zondervan: Grand Rapids, 2010. 160 pages. This book deserves to be read. Wesley Hill’s voice is needed both in the church and in the wider culture. In his beautifully written and deeply honest book, Washed and Waiting, Hill reflects on his journey as both... Continue Reading →
Michael Horton, Ordinary: Sustainable faith in a radical, restless world. Zondervan: Grand Rapids, 2014. 221 pages. Christ did not found a movement. He is building a Church. In Ordinary, Michael Horton argues that the ‘next big thing’ is not a radical endeavor, but the slow work of Christ in his church. While the situations faced... Continue Reading →
“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field…” (Luke 15:25a) The Parable of the Prodigal Son is probably misnamed. Don’t get me wrong, the younger son was certainly lost. Twice the father describes him as ‘dead, but alive again. He was lost and is found.’ The parable begins with the younger son wishing death upon... Continue Reading →
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