Andrew Fuller (1754–1815) was a pastor and theologian who led a decades-long ministry in 18th century England. Fuller preached through books of the Bible—covering much of the Old and New Testaments in 4 decades. He wrote extensive evangelistic tracts, some of which were 9 pages in length! Fuller even crafted messages geared for the youth in his church at a time when…
Last week my wife and I watched The Theory of Everything a film about the life of British physicist Stephen Hawking. The Theory of Everything highlighted the contrast between Hawking, the rational, brilliant Oxford physicist and Jane Wilde, his religious, musically-inclined wife—who herself earned a PhD in Medieval Spanish literature. The film conveys tension over clashing worldviews. Jane remains a faithful Christian…
In light of the Supreme Court’s decision to legalize gay marriage in all 50 states, the church will face increasing pressure from a culture in which the majority rejects the bible’s teaching on marriage–as a union defined exclusively as covenant between one man and one woman. Last month an article was published in the Sonoma Sun in which columnist Ron Ellis wrote…
Nearly 500 years ago, the Swiss Reformer Ulrich Zwingli made an insightful observation in his Commentary on True and False Religion when he wrote, “There is no difference between the life of man and that of the beasts if you take away the knowledge of God.” Zwingli observed an essential relationship between knowledge of God and being human. Zwingli’s contemporary, John Calvin…
Disclaimer* Due to language, Boyhood would not be appropriate for children. Christians use discretion in viewing movies in accordance with conscience (Romans 14). Filmed sequentially over a period of 12 years (2002-2013), Boyhood is one of most innovative movies in contemporary cinema. The uniqueness of the movie is that the medium is part of the overall message—reality is constant flux. Examining movies…
Each year Christians celebrate the day of their savior’s execution, and for some peculiar reason they call it “Good” Friday. At the insistence of his own people, Jesus of Nazareth was crucified at Calvary. A casual observation of the event certainly incites pity. The death of an unjust man is always a tragedy. It was not the first of its kind and…
Genesis has much to teach us on the nature and content of faith. It’s been said of a person falling off a cliff that what matters is not the degree of faith one has in an extended tree branch to save him, but the strength of the branch. A person’s faith is effectual if God is the object—he is the strong branch,…
Genesis 4 reveals the immediate and devastating consequences of humanity’s fall. Cain was the first son of Adam and Eve whose birth Eve seemed to look upon with optimistic anticipation—possibly believing he was the promised “seed of the woman.” But in a terrifying twist, Cain murders his brother Abel. Cain had failed to offer God the best of his harvest in worship…
I had the opportunity to read two well-known novels from the last century: The Jungle by Upton Sinclair (1878–1968) and The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck (1902–1968). Both great works, these books made an indelible impression on an entire generation of readers. This being considered, the message both authors give is worth examining. As a pastor, I naturally take interest in…