What do you think Christianity is? How do you read the Bible? It is quite easy to think of the Bible as a book of rules — things to DO. Yet, it is far greatest The Story of God, of His coming near to us, and in that way is not primarily about us. The Bible is about GOD. And not just facts, figures and fables — as if God were a science experiment, a idea to be calculated, quantified and categorized. In reality, God has acted in history — in this real world — and as we read Scripture we discover the stories are true, the characters are generally failures, and God is always faithful. That’s...

“My love of consistency with my own doctrinal views is not great enough to allow me knowingly to alter a single text of Scripture. I have great respect for orthodoxy, but my reverence for inspiration is far greater. I would sooner a hundred times over appear to be inconsistent with myself than be inconsistent with the word of God.” —Charles Spurgeon (more via Randy Alcorn, Spurgeon’s Theology: Embracing Biblical Paradox) SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Consistent & inconsistent", url: "http://www.deTheos.com/2009/10/27/consistent-inconsistent/" });

In Scripture we know a concept could be key in God’s program when it’s oft repeated. Take, for example, the link of suffering and joy. (Or, for the more optimistic joy and suffering.) Romans 8:17-18 is a place I often run to, thinking deeply on what it means for our present sufferings to be incomparable to the coming glory (and joy). They shouldn’t be named in the same sentence, but have to be to show the absurdity of how the latter far outweighs the former. When it comes to making sense of this pain, I don’t know WHY, but I do know WHO, and He is all we need. Somehow through...

Continuing on this series of reflecting on great God-centered lyrics. The next one notes God’s faithfulness through every conceivable circumstance — that through easy (calm) or the hard times (storm), He never lets go. Reminds of Romans 8:31-39, that God is for us, and while all things could be “against” us, who or what actually could really be against us in the ultimate sense. God is faithful, to Himself, His character, and to us. This is another link to the rock solid truth that today’s sufferings are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall come soon...

Download an e-book (PDF) version of Fight Clubs: Gospel-Centered Discipleship by pastor Jonathan Dodson. I’ve mentioned it before, and am eager to dig in myself. (Note: this isn’t a book built for just one person. You won’t be able to “fight” alone. So, send the link to a friend, read it together and fight for one another, together, through the Gospel.) Here’s the table of contents of Fight Clubs: Introduction 1. Why Fight?: The Call to Fight 2. Fighting for the Church: The Failure of Accountability 3. How to Fight: Motivations for Discipleship 4. Fighting with...

On the heals of thinking deeply about God’s sovereignty — His creative control and our experience in His Story, exploring the depths of this profound mystery — I’d like to put forth a handful of songs that capture a glimpse of the glory God has revealed to us. I’ll call these “Songs of Sovereignty,” as they help us to sing truth to our minds and captivate our hearts as we interact with this Story of Sovereignty. With all the freedom God has given you, sing out to Him! While some of the songs will be well-known (new and old), let’s start with a yet-to-be-recorded...

A friend asked if I would join in a “Sovereignty of God blog series” this Summer, giving no set boundaries other than to ask us to share how we interact with God’s sovereignty from a theological and personal perspective. On the docket are lots of well-known bloggers, and then me. Oh yeah, and he scheduled me to go first. Humbling. My post “A Story of Sovereignty” is up now It’s a bit longer than a normal blog post. Won’t blame God for that … (The revised version posted is a bit shorter than the full version I’ll start posting here tomorrow,...

This week, in talking about Why we Pray (and praying), I was reminded of a simple truth I learned last year. It was put together in a post on GoingtoSeminary.com. Let’s together celebrate our independence today through our dependence upon the Sovereign King of all. Here’s what I wrote then, and swim in now: [Fall '08] Greek has seemed to be a little disjointed until we arrive in the relative deep-end of participles this semester. I am certainly still wading around in the shallow end, but being pushed further into learning how to swim in this new language (but still with those orange...

The Gospel is not only the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ, it is the good news of a whole Life (here, now, and for all eternity) lived in His hands. Jesus is not only the starting point, He is the beginning, end and middle of life. There is never a second that we don’t need Jesus. Disciples need Jesus as much as sinners do. He is the only way to recapture true humanity, to become our best self, and to live for a vision beyond ourselves — giving our lives away. In Jesus we are moving from our former identity (sinners) to embracing the fullness of our new identity (disciples)....

My good friend Adam Poole has written (and preached) an excellent message that the church needs to hear. Adam is the Director of Cornerstone School of Ministry in Corvallis, Oregon. Below are his thoughts on knowing and living. Is there a link between doctrinal understanding and passionate devotion? It’s simple. Know God and know theological doctrines and out of that flows an ardent, fiery, zealous, passionate and loving pursuit and walk with God. Clear understanding corresponds to a burning devotion and embracing. Greater light shining in our minds leads to a greater kindling of heat in our...