As Kingdom royalty we are required to have an understanding of Justice. In today’s world the term justice is usually perceived as a legal term that results in a fine, jail time or possibly even execution. In biblical terminology justice can mean those things, but is much broader in use and practice. Justice is a God-ordained action that upholds the well-being and equality of all people -- and this guiding principle applies to both external legal action as well as the internal attitude of one’s heart.
A favorite topic of many a pastor is lifestyle evangelism, but I’d prefer to talk about the evangelist’s lifestyle. Rather than discussing a process I’d like to determine a heartbeat. I want to move us beyond mere instruction and to a place of holy living, for a Christian can make no greater impact on the world than to be holy (1 Peter 1.15-16). Paul agrees with Peter when writing to the Church of Corinth:
Has anyone ever asked you, “Explain to me the Trinity”? What did you say in response? I’m guessing it wasn’t a quote from the Westminster confession, “In the unity of the Godhead there exist three Persons of one substance, power, and eternity: God the Father who is of none (neither begotten nor preceding), God the Son (eternally begotten of the Father), and God the Holy Ghost (who eternally proceeds from the Father and the Son).” Why didn’t you respond in this way? Probably because it’s not very useful even though it is entirely accurate. In my opinion one of the best explanations of the Trinity is Jesus’ description in John chapter 14:
Today I’m taking a break from the usual flow of this site to mourn the loss of a spiritual giant: Dr. Jonathan Smith. Jonathan was a professor at Western Bible College (WBC), then Colorado Christian University (CCU) and a founder of Rocky Mountain Bible College and Seminary (RMBC). He was a founder of Faith Bible Chapel in Arvada, Colorado and a co-founder of Dare2Share Ministries. It was my honor to call him my teacher and my friend.
If you’ve been reading this site for long many of the concepts in this article will sound familiar to you. Those concepts had their origins at least 25 years ago when my friend (and roommate at the time) and I sat down to write this editorial for The Moody Student, the student newspaper for Moody Bible Institute. Russ Carter and I put pen to paper to encourage our fellow students to follow the school’s new program, called Renew 2000. But this is more than a trip down memory lane, it is a succinct statement about prayerful living than I’m sure will change the lives of some of our readers. Without further commentary, here is Renewing Prayer, by Russ Carter and Tyson Thorne.
Like II John, the author’s only reference to himself is the “elder.” There are, however, clear stylistic ties between all three letters, as well as the tradition of early church fathers, which attribute all three epistles to the apostle John. Once again, there is little evidence of the time of composition, but it is reasonable to suggest that all three were written sometime in the early (AD) 60’s. III John differs from the first two letters, however, as it is a personal correspondence to a single individual, rather than a church. It seems to suggest that, despite the possibility of incurring the wrath of his church bishop, Gaius ought to welcome the bearer of the letter to his home as a servant of the Lord. John tells of his disappointment with Diotrephes, and suggests that he will set things right on his next visit. The big idea of this letter is clear: A knowledge of God is evidenced in faithfully attending to God’s people, regardless of the consequences. A fitting message for today’s pastors.
My freshman year of college I worked several jobs to pay for college, and one of those jobs was as a salesman for Kinney Shoes. There was a lot of time between customers, and a full crew of us working, so there was a lot of time for conversation. My co-workers knew of my belief in God, one of them even said I was “addicted to Jesus”, so spiritual conversations were a part of our routine. I can’t remember if they asked how I knew God existed or if I just plowed into the string-of-consciousness sermon on my own, but either way in only a few minutes I provided them with my evidences. Yesterday we mentioned that the question of God’s existence wasn’t one we could answer in that post; with a nod to the past at Kinney’s it is a question I’d like to try and answer in this one.
Why did John think it so important to teach believer’s how to identify false teachers? In large part, of course, it was to curtain a serious threat to sound theology. In some small part, however, it was to teach us how to become good teachers. Whether or not we teach professionally, we are all teachers. Some to their children, some to their siblings, and others to their friends and co-workers. Teaching isn’t something that comes naturally, so I thought it would be appropriate to share a paper I wrote when I worked at Valor Christian High School as a techie while working toward becoming a certified substitute teacher. The paper is a philosophy of education that reviews the most important aspects of teaching from a biblical perspective. Download and enjoy!
I just recently finished writing my own commentary on 1 Corinthians. One of the many things this task taught me is how concerned the apostle Paul is with Christian Education (CE). The first issue Paul takes us in this letter is that of Christian educators, and the quarrels that arose from following the teacher rather than the teachings (1.10-.17). Over and over, from verse 10 of the first chapter to verse four of the 12 and on through the book Paul emphasizes the need for unity in CE.
John’s second letter followed closely on the heels of the first, so we find many of the same themes and the same problem being addressed -- namely the false teachings of Cerinthus. Once more we find the apostle John not clearly identifying himself by name, but rather by literary style and through tradition. This is characteristic of all of John’s epistles and unlike his gospel and book of revelation. The big idea John communicates in this epistle is also similar, only instead of Fellowship with God leading to obedience and a love for their brothers and sisters he proclaims that love for God results in obedience and the ability to resist false teachings.
In high school I was visiting the girl who lived next door to my grandparents. A bit cliché I know, but she was very pretty and from a Christian family. Her cousin was visiting and, being into chess in a big way, he asked for a game while I was waiting for her to finish getting ready for our date. I’m not much of a chess player, but consented. He beat me solidly and afterward very logically told me why. It wasn’t a boast, he wasn’t trying to belittle me, he simply wanted to explain.
As previously mentioned, at this time in John’s life he is getting up in years. His writing reflects a circular reasoning, coming back to a few key elements again and again, constantly repeating what is most important. But like an aging grandparent, we know he is motivated by love. In fact, love gushes from the whole book. Here a restatement of the letters Big Idea is necessary: Fellowship with God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ cause believers to live in obedience to the Word and in love for their brothers and sisters in Christ. John tells us this Big Idea is important for two reasons: