My buddies and I recently had a lively discussion about the difference between preaching and teaching. We all recognized a general distinction between the two, but we disagreed as to how formal that distinction is in the Bible. I did a quick word study for fun (I don't get out much), and this post is a brief report of what I found. I found the two terms, διδάσκω (teach) … [Read more...] about Preaching Versus Teaching
Resurrection Dunk
My friend was supposedly an incredible basketball player, but I was having no trouble keeping up with him in a one-on-one game, and I was starting to question his ability. Then he made a move that changed my mind. He made a move so astounding I knew he had been holding back. He dribbled a cross-over so deep, so fast that I was left frozen in place, dumbfounded, as he went … [Read more...] about Resurrection Dunk
Echoes of Eden: Recreation
No matter how busy the day, no matter how tired I feel, I always want recreation. I rarely ever just want sleep. In fact, the busier and more stressful the day, the more I want to recreate. I will stay up late watching a football game, or I will linger long over Twitter, or click through blogs or write a blog post or go for a run. I've even been known to stay up late working on … [Read more...] about Echoes of Eden: Recreation
Defining Faith
Faith has become a funny word, full of misunderstanding and confusion. But the concept of saving faith is actually a very familiar one. James Montgomery Boice clarifies faith this way: "Faith is the means, not the source, of justification. Faith is trust. It begins with knowledge, so it is not blind. It builds on facts, so it is not speculation. It stakes its life on the … [Read more...] about Defining Faith
Is Your Grace Amazing Enough?
Gospel grace sounds too amazing and scandalous, and if we're not careful, we'll get skittish and downplay its radical nature. To make sure we are not selling it short, John Stott offers a test: "If we are proclaiming Paul's gospel, with it's emphasis on the freeness of grace and the impossibility of self-salvation, we are sure to provoke the charge of antinomianism. If we do … [Read more...] about Is Your Grace Amazing Enough?