The God who conquers chaos
In Genesis 1:1 we are introduced to the Creator. In Genesis 1:2 we are introduced to the Conqueror. This verse tells of […]
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Hey Chaplain, I’m Anxious
Humans are bad prophets. Our track record at predicting disaster should inspire optimism. You’ve already survived things you thought you wouldn’t.
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Creation by Transformation
In Genesis 1-2 we encounter three types of creative activity. God creates out of nothing. God creates out of something. And finally,
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Creation out of Something
In the last post we discussed God’s ability to create out of nothing. In the creation account we learn that this is
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God’s Toolbox is His Mouth
From nothing God creates. This is the affirmation of creation ex nihlo (out of nothing). With no raw materials he brings forth
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Creation by Grace
The first line of the Apostle’s Creed reads, “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.” It asserts
Lament and Unseen Footprints
For the singer of Psalm 77, comfort is a stranger. His is a season of sorrow and spiritual fatigue. I value the authenticity
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Lament Dramatized
Claus Westermann called the book of Job a “dramatized lament.” In the psalms we only hear the voice of the lamenter and
Rhythm of Life: Orientation, Disorientation, Reorientation
Death and resurrection are the center of our faith, they also form the rhythm of life for the believer. We move from
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The Anatomy of the Soul
John Calvin called the psalms the “anatomy of the soul.” He recognized that the diversity of the psalms correlated to the diversity
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Luther on the Gift of Psalms
Martin Luther loved the book of Psalms. His thinking and theology were greatly influenced by his meditation on this book. When he
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Take care when interpreting God in your experiences
Job did not share our perspective of his experience. He never knew the events of chapters 1-2—ever. The reality behind the events
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Martin Luther’s Pastoral Approach to Predestination
Martin Luther was aware of the challenges of certain doctrinal issues. Predestination has always been an area that can produce philosophical anxiety and deep-seated
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C.S. Lewis on Predestination
Predestination is a biblical term and concept that has received a lot of flack over the years. C.S. Lewis has some helpful
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The Meaning of Life for Men
Confidence comes by dealing with your vulnerabilities. If you have no teeth, you’re vulnerable to those who do. So, grow teeth.
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The Cross and Criticism
Martin Luther famously stated, “the cross is our theology.” He was adamant that all good theology is rooted in, shaped by, and
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How to Have a Good Conversation
Decide today that you are going to be the hero in someone else’s story.
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Broken characters for broken readers
I recently spent some time in 1-2 Samuel, and something interesting happened as I read. I found myself connecting to an unlikely character
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A Biblical Framework for Encouragement: The Coming
It is fitting that the final pillar of encouragement centers on the return of Jesus. It is no surprise that the New
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A Biblical Framework for Encouragement: The Church
The presence of the church in the world is intended to be a tremendous source of encouragement. It is for encouragement that
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A Biblical Framework for Encouragement: The Cross
We have looked at the God-centered foundation of encouragement as well as the first pillar of creation. In this post we explore
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A Biblical Framework for Encouragement: The Creation
In the previous post we launched a blog series on encouragement. We explored the foundation of a framework for encouragement as we
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A Biblical Framework for Encouragement: The Creator
Encouragement is an underestimated force in our lives. It has the power to redirect our steps, change our future, eclipse our past and
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What you won’t find in God’s heart
God is sovereign and pain is pervasive. This is a tension I uncomfortably affirm. There is a text from the book of
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The Unsurprising Incarnation
I continue to be amazed by the humility of God in the storyline of Scripture. God persistently comes low to engage his
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