Thoughts on “I will not forget your word.”

Yesterday, I mentioned the resolutions of the Psalmist in Psalm 119:15-16 as resolutions (or issues of repentance) for  every day . . . and the New Year also.  I also mentioned that I desired to return to some of the practical outworkings of these resolutions today – Christmas day.  But as Patrick Schreiner’s advice concerning brevity [...]

Some Resolutions from Psalm 119

Or perhaps, as a friend would say, “repentances” (rather than resolutions).  Last night, Jenny and I began to read through Psalm 119 together with the intention of reminding ourselves of the majesty of the Scriptures inner testimony of itself.  I was particularly struck by vv. 9-16 – they remained through the night, prodding my heart [...]

“Thoughts From Hawaii” #2: The Power of Biblical Clarity

My time with Pastor Todd Morikawa in Hawaii included many beneficial conversations that had polarizing effects upon my soul – piercing conviction and warm encouragement.  Both served to edify!  What I write now about those conversations is sort of a meditative conclusion regarding the effectiveness of Todd’s words.  How was he able to puncture so [...]

“Thoughts From Hawaii” #1: Interrogating the Text Puritanically

I understand that “puritanically” has come to be a word that is used negatively, but that is not my intention in the use of it.  I have found the Puritan’s method of interrogating the text to be quite helpful and insightful, often producing insights that  pierce and penetrate the soul with the deep wonders of [...]

Thoughts on a “Brush Over” Passage

Typically, Exodus 22 is not one of those chapters that you take the time to . . . think through.  And this is poor on many of our accounts.  Recent time spent translating the text caused me to slow down and deal with what was in the chapter.  Here are some thoughts, oxen, donkeys, and [...]

Psalm 119:1 – The Bible, Holiness, and Happiness

Christianity has recently fallen in the observer’s eye to what is now being called ‘moral therapeutic deism.’  Christian pulpits, Christian books, Christian t-shirts, Christian bumper stickers, etc. have one contemporary message: do better and be happy; or do better to be happy!  Nothing could be more antithetical to the Gospel.  The proof is seen when [...]

The Importance of the Word of God in Christian Growth

Thinking recently on the importance of God’s Word in the life and development of the Christian and realized its presence at every stage of maturation.  
The Word of God is the agent of the new birth, wielded by the Spirit – by it dead souls come alive and begin to live for God, and are [...]

Psalm 81:8-10: “God’s Admonishments: Listen, Love, and Be Filled”

The Psalms make up a part of the middle portion of the Hebrew Bible.  They along with the prophets constitute the commentary on the Law and former prophets which we know to be Joshua to 2 Kings or the history portion of the Old Testament.  Stephen Dempster writes, “This historical sequence of events from Genesis [...]

Increasing in the Knowledge of God

A good friend of mine, Todd Morikawa, asked me a question that I’d like to reflect upon here.  His question was, “How did you (me) grow in your understanding of theology prior to seminary?”  It was not a question of unbelief, like “You can’t know anything about theology without going to seminary!”  It was the [...]

Steven Wellum on the Importance of Biblical Theology

Go here.