Sublime

This is the main reason why a pastor who preaches grace but is not otherwise fixated on it or captivated by it can often be a cranky sourpuss among his congregation, or worse. Many of us know of churches that make a big deal out of their commitment to “sovereign grace” but have a gracelessly stifling communal climate. Some of the most theologically

But all of this is obscured when the Guy at the Front waves his Bible around, claiming to announce the simple, unadulterated Word of God. No. What he is offering is his interpretation of God’s Word. What he does not offer (often because he does not realize it) is that he inherited this interpretation from some pastor or teacher himself. Nor does he

Is there any answer to the proposition that those who have had the best opportunities will probably be our best guides? Is there any answer to the argument that those who have breathed clean air had better decide for those who have breathed foul? As far as I know, there is only one answer, and that answer is Christianity. Only the Christian Church

CHAPTER

There are many “ordinary” ways to be ambassadors of the extraordinary gospel, but none more important than building up the body of Christ by committing to a local church, however boring it may seem. As Kevin DeYoung says, In the grand scheme of things, most of us are going to be more of an Ampliatus (Rom. 16:8) or Phlegon (v. 14) than an apostle Pa

Jesus Christ said long ago. In His inaugural address, He spelled out how His community of followers were to understand themselves. With characteristic insight, He asserted that “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?” (Matthew 5:13).