Think Theology

At certain times in my life, I’ve felt more “poor in spirit” than at other times. Perhaps you know that feeling. It’s the feeling of being helpless. It’s the feeling of being downtrodden. It’s the feeling of being discouraged. It’s the feeling of being unclean. It’s the feeling of spiritual poverty and bankruptcy. In reality, [...]

If I had a dollar for every time that someone said they had a “prayer request” or a “concern” about someone, and then they proceeded to gossip and slander another fellow Christian, I really do think I’d be rich beyond belief. It has, quite frankly, occurred around me my entire life. I don’t believe I’ve [...]

Paul gave the Corinthians an imperative when he wrote, “Let a person examine himself.” I continue to consider self-examination (see previous post, How am “I” doing). Karl Graustein, author of Growing Up Christian, provides helpful questions for young believers to consider, based upon 2 Cor. 13. He suggests we ask the following: Do you pray? [...]

The Apostle Peter advised his readers that, in expectation for the eschatological, they should have “lives of holiness and godliness” (2 Pet. 3:11). Throughout the Scriptures, believers are to be marked by holiness (cf. Lev. 19:2; 20:26; 22:32-34; 1 Thess. 4:3-7; 2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 4:20-24; Heb. 12:10, 14). Regardless of what culture has deemed [...]

“He who sincerely prefers God to all other things in his heart will do it in his practice. For when God and all other things come to stand in completion, that is the proper trial what a man chooses; and the manner of acting in such cases must certainly determine what the choice is in [...]

“The hermeneutical enterprise also has three levels… We begin with a third-person approach, asking “what it meant” (exegesis), then passing to a first-person approach, querying “what it means for me” (devotional), and finally taking a second-person approach, seeking “how to share with you what it means to me” (sermonic). When we try only one and [...]

“Although trying to cool their ardor for congregational tongues-speaking, Paul does not disparage the gift itself; rather, he seeks to put it in its rightful place. Positively, he says three things about speaking in tongues, which are best understood in light of the further discussion on prayer and praise in vv. 13-17: (1) Such a [...]

Do you ever get lost in the scholarly discussions about justification between guys like N.T. Wright and John Piper? Those kind of discussions are valuable and we should pay attention; but sometimes we need a succinct and understandable explanation that gets quickly to the heart of the truth. That’s why Shai Linne has become one [...]

“The centrality of instruction as advocated by the psalms has a second contemporary implication. Music leaders, writers, and performers need to become better versed in theology. It is not enough to be able to construct a tune and lyrics that are aesthetically pleasing and emotionally evocative. Music must be immersed in proper theology precisely because [...]

Here’s a humorous look at church that makes me ask the question: How much of our Christianity is real and how much of it is just a show? “Sunday’s Coming” Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.

“American ne0-evangelical contemporary worship makes generic, Arminian, Protestant Christians… Soccer games and Disney World are fun. [Worship] is a place beyond fun… not exciting but important – more important than anything else we do in life and anything our popular culture might offer… Every generation has had to deal with disorder, irreverence, and frivolity unbecoming [...]

If you’ve been sleeping under a rock or just time warped from the Jurassic period you may be surprised to know that Page CXVI has just released their second album – Hymns II. It is fantastic. Last year they released Hymns I and I quickly became not only a huge fan of their music, but [...]

Previously, we focused on clarifying the views of Believer’s Baptism regarding mode (i.e., What is baptism? How should baptism be done? etc.). Here, we’ll highlight this view’s understanding on the meaning of baptism. The Meaning of Baptism: Why is baptism important? While we turn to the New Testament to discover the meaning of baptism, we [...]

CNN has an interesting article that I think a lot of people should read – The downside of ‘friends with benefits.’ The article, interestingly enough, actually gives some good raw data that shows how foolish it is to have a ‘friends with benefits’ type of relationship. Granted, I’m sure the article is not arguing from [...]

The subject of baptism has divided many Christians, which is unfortunate. But controversy is essential where truth is rejected or distorted (e.g., in matters related to Christology and the gospel). Controversy is also deadly to Christian fellowship when disagreeing about truth dominates magnifying truth. However, many Christians feel threatened when they are confronted with controversial [...]

O ye sons of men be wise, trust no longer dreams and lies, Out of Christ, almighty pow’r can do nothing but devour. God you say is good. ‘Tis true. But he’s pure and holy too; just and jealous is his ire, burning with vindictive fire. This of old himself declared: Israel trembled when they [...]

I’m working through Psalm 24, as I intend to preach on it this Sunday. I’m intrigued with the way that David starts this psalm: “The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.” – [...]

John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion is considered a classic by most theologians. Regardless of whether one is Reformed or not, Calvin is one of the greatest theologians that the Reformation produced. His influence spans from the realm of theology to economics. When former President Bill Clinton was asked by CNN’s John Roberts, “Could [...]

Many times I have been led to declare Christ’s love over and against the love that mere humans can express. In fact, as much as we can love anyone, Christ can love beyond our love, in a way that is pure and devoted to the glory of God! We can’t even imagine such love! We [...]

“What do you do when you don’t desire the Word of God? Or when you read it and don’t see anything that gives you joy? Or when your joy is weak and disintegrates before the allurements of the world? What do you do if you are not satisfied in the God of the Bible, but [...]

Shai Linne with “Spread His Fame.” from Grace EV Free on Vimeo. All praise to the name of the savior who reigns. He’s taken our blame, embraced all our shame, He’s raised from the grave so his fame we proclaim. Salvation by grace through faith in his name. All praise to the name of the [...]

I try to spend about an hour a day in personal Bible reading, prayer, and study. This is above and beyond my actual “vocational study time” (sermon preparation, etc.) and is generally a time of intentional focus on growing more intimate with the Lord. Part of my devotional routine is to read through sections of [...]

Wow. That… is… amazing. Wow. Thanks to Tyler for point this out!

Theological studies are generally broke down into categories such as Historical Theology, Biblical (exegetical) Theology, Practical Theology, Systematic Theology, Narrative Theology, etc. Each categories has a specific focus and a specific purpose. Some advocate one over the other and other people seem to dismiss all of them! I personally find great benefit from each of [...]

As many of you may know, I am a Christian Hedonist (defined here and here). My vision for “enjoying God” has been shaped greatly by Dr. John Piper, Dr. Sam Storms, and affectionately through the writings of Jonathan Edwards. So with great joy and boldness I declare that I believe with all of my heart [...]