We believe in one baptism for the forgiveness of sins My favorite seminary professor, the late Dr. Jack Cottrell, did his doctoral dissertation on The History of Baptism. His findings have been summarized and published in two books Baptism and the Remission of Sins (Hester Publications, edited by David Fletcher), and more recently, and also more … Continue reading (Nicene Creed): One Baptism For the Forgiveness of Sins
Consider these statistics: 42% of pastors considered quitting in the last year. 50% of pastors do not make it past five years in ministry. 80% do not last ten years. We are seeing an epidemic of pastoral burnout in our day. Why? In their new book The Unhurried Pastor (The Good Book Company, 2024), Brian … Continue reading Redefining What it Means to Be Productive in Ministry
In his new book Love The Ones Who Drive You Crazy (Crossway, 2023), Jamie Dunlop makes a bold claim: Churches should be united around Christ alone, not Christ plus other shared convictions. And yet, when churches do this well, they are ripe for conflict. If we are truly committed to welcoming those with different opinions … Continue reading How to Love Fellow Christians, Even When They Drive You Crazy
Today I’d like to introduce you to one of my all-time favorite authors: J.C. Ryle. Ryle was a bishop for the Church of England, writing and ministering in the latter half of the 1800’s. Even though he lived and wrote almost 200 years ago, his books are still as popular today as ever. You don’t … Continue reading J.C. Ryle: A Beloved Expositor
You’ve heard it a thousand times — in sermons, devotionals, small group classes, and at countless funerals. You’ve almost memorized it without trying. It’s so familiar that, if we’re honest, at times it even seems boring. What more could you possibly learn about Psalm 23? In the introduction to his new book, The Lord of … Continue reading Jesus Our Good Shepherd, Companion, and Host
Friendship is hard. At least it is for me. Perhaps you can resonate with my experience. In high school and college, making friends seemed easy. I didn’t even have to try. No doubt it had much to do with how much free time we had on our hands. But when you are married with kids … Continue reading A Biblical Vision for Friendship
In the world of theology, you might be familiar with authors such as D.A. Carson, J.I. Packer, or N.T. Wright. You may have benefitted from their works on topics such knowing God, the resurrection, or suffering. You might even wonder if going by initials instead of a normal first name is a requirement for being … Continue reading Jack Cottrell: A Beloved Theologian
As we begin a new year, it is a great time to consider which books you’d like to read by the end of the year. If I may, let me make a suggestion: The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Not long ago, I finished reading through the entire trilogy for the fifth time. I enjoyed … Continue reading Why You Should Read (and re-read) ‘Lord of the Rings’
What if the weekly Sunday morning worship gathering of your local church wasn’t just something you attended each week, but something you looked forward to and prepared your heart for each week? What if it became for you the central event of your week, every week? How might that change your experience of going to … Continue reading Preparing Your Heart For Sunday Worship
When Peter Williams announces a forthcoming book, it’s an automatic preorder for me. I can’t think of an author that I’m more excited to read these days. You might not be familiar with Dr. Williams or his work. He is the principal and CEO of Tyndale House, Cambridge — one of the most prestigious Bible … Continue reading What the Gospels Reveal about the World’s Greatest Teacher
The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men…’ (Luke 18:11) Are you a Pharisee? Of course you’re not! How do I know this? Because none of us think of ourselves this way. As Michael Reeves writes, “Nobody today is a self-avowed, card-carrying Pharisee, after all. … Continue reading The Gospel Is The Cure For The Church’s Hypocrisy
I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. … Continue reading God’s Symbol of Mercy and Patience
