I would encourage you to read John Stott’s book The Cross of Christ. This is one of Stott’s classic works and its thorough substantive handling of the atonement by Christ is worthy of perusing on a regular basis. One chapter that challenged my thinking (which I thoroughly enjoy when an argument is thoughtfully and fully laid out) is chapter six…
Author: <span>Matthew Johnson</span>
Recently I have been challenged in my thinking regarding the doctrine of hell. Is there really a hell, a place of eternal torment? Does this make God sadistic? I have been thinking about these things, not with an unbelieving heart, but rather with a conviction that we do not express the justice of God in sending sinners to hell enough…
Last year, our church was privileged to be able to host a pastor’s conference regarding the roots of historical fundamentalism. The word fundamentalism is thrown about today with a variety of meaning. Our conference was not about polygamy as in fundamental mormons, nor was it about fundamental muslims who commit murder. Neither was our conference about fundamental Christians who rant…
Ever felt like this? The Psalmist says it best. Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for…
As the pastor of a wonderful church family, I consider it the highest honor to shepherd God’s flock. 2010 will be a great year regardless of the circumstances because I know that “No good thing will he withhold from them who walk uprightly.” There are many trials, struggles and sorrows that will accompany 2010, but our God changes not and…
The late S.M. Lockridge’s sermon entitled “That’s My King” has been circulating through the internet for some time. Pastor Lockridge was the Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in San Diego and a well-known speaker around the world. I do not know much about Pastor Lockridge’s ministry, but I do know that it is impossible to listen his sermon without my…
“God becoming flesh;” that is the meaning of the incarnation. Most people are willing to celebrate the incarnation of a baby born in a manger. Countless families who never crack a Bible normally may even read Luke 2 this time of year, and with smiles of pity remember a baby born in a manger who is “Savior,” although that word…
Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance. It is laying hold of God’s willingness. I preached a sermon recently from Luke 11 concerning the parable of the friend at midnight. In that sermon, I contend that this familiar parable is not about man’s persistence in prayer, but rather God’s delight and willingness to answer prayer in spite of our failings and…
Over 27,000 Catholics, Protestants, Evangelicals, Mormons, JWs, and a whole host of other religious people have recently affixed their names to a document called the Manhattan Declaration. This document is championed by Chuck Colson who was the originator of the Evangelicals and Catholics together in the early nineties. It is an attempt to foster unity between different groups who call…
It doesn’t matter which side of the political spectrum one falls upon, there is certainly some who are willing to hack up God’s most holy Word, run it through the grid of what they think it should say, and then publish it for all to cringe over. See the latest in attacking the authority and inerrancy of God’s Divine Word.…