Posts Tagged ‘evangelical’

God has an important message for today’s church through the Minor Prophets—they are called “minor” only because of their length—if only we would listen to it.  What’s the problem? Read the rest of this entry »

            A fellow pastor recommended Timothy Keller’s Counterfeit Gods (New York: Dutton, 2009) to me after I had stated that the Bible teaches that the fundamental human problem is idolatry.  I highly recommend it and here’s why. Read the rest of this entry »

Recently I was struck by Paul’s description of conversion.  “… You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who saves us from the coming wrath” (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10).

We evangelicals claim to be biblical.  Indeed, the very name “evangelical” is derived from the Greek word for “gospel.”  Nevertheless, our gospel proclamation emphasizes the benefits of receiving forgiveness or personal healing.  Now, forgiveness and healing are part of the gospel, but Paul’s preaching centered on challenging people’s idolatry, the need to serve God, and hoping in the coming of Jesus Christ. Read the rest of this entry »

            The Bible presents life’s evils without sugarcoating them.  We gloss over them.  Is it any wonder that our faith seems superficial to thinking and feeling unbelievers?  Nowhere is this contrast more apparent than in Matthew’s account of the birth of Jesus. Read the rest of this entry »

Michael Lawrence has written both a fine introduction to biblical theology and also an apologetic for its centrality in the ministry.  The work is readable, has helpful reviews throughout, and an annotated bibliography, but will the evangelical church listen? Read the rest of this entry »