How I Became a Christian Despite the Church, Part 4 of 4

As I mentioned last week, from a theological perspective, I’ve come to see that saving faith is more than intellectual assent. That’s why when talking about my testimony, in addition to the “change in belief” experiences, I place considerable weight on a three-month series of events that occurred during my fifteenth year. I was working in a bus ministry that … Read More

Beyond the Table in the Mist

Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do. Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head. Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain [fleeting] life that he has given you under the sun, … Read More

The Problems with Justification by Faith Alone

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1, ESV) “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” (James 2:24, ESV) I thought about titling this piece “How Wesley Helped Reformed Folks Get the Gospel Right” or “Orthodox Church Corrects Protestants for De-emphasizing … Read More

How to Please God

There is no greater arrogance than not to desire to be justified by faith in Christ.[1] -Luther In keeping with celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, I wanted to do two posts on how we are justified before God. In other words, how do we make peace with God? How do we please Him? All Christians care deeply about … Read More