In the weightlessness of space some things, like jumping, are easy. But life as a whole becomes hard. To steal from Elizabeth Elliot: “In space, astronauts experience the misery of having no reference point, no force that draws them toward the center. The effort of performing ordinary activities without the help of that pull if often … Continue reading The Misery of Weightlessness
Tyranny and Church Membership
Living in a country increasingly marked by tyranny, we Christians must be people who truly oppose it. Looking like we’re fight tyranny is not necessarily truly fighting tyranny. A firefighter spraying gasoline instead of water on a fire is not doing the same thing despite the blaring sirens and flashing red lights. Submission to lawful … Continue reading Tyranny and Church Membership
Consuming Jesus
The Lord’s Supper is a time to remember the Lord’s sacrificial death on our behalf, certainly. But it is far more. It is one of the ways that God imparts grace to us, strengthens our faith, and grows us up into Christ. This doesn’t happen automatically, as a result of swallowing food. It comes as … Continue reading Consuming Jesus
Temptation by threat
What father delights in seeing his son beaten up and disgraced by a bully? And if we as earthly fathers cannot imagine ever taking joy in such a thing, how could we imagine that God is somehow less of a father than we are? That somehow he enjoys seeing us squirm and struggle? No, temptation … Continue reading Temptation by threat
The Danger of Covenant Presumption
Just as one must be a citizen of the United States in order to commit treason against her, so covenant presumption is a sin impossible for Atheists, Buddhists, and Muslims to commit. It is a sin peculiar to Christians , because it is sin against the privileges and kindnesses that God shows to those who … Continue reading The Danger of Covenant Presumption
Serving the Story Warm
Our God instructs us to tell His story of redemption to our children when they ask us moral questions: When your son asks you in time to come, saying, “What is the meaning of the testimonies, the statutes, and the judgments which the LORD our God has commanded you?” then you shall say to your … Continue reading Serving the Story Warm