Astronomy is one of the traditional disciplines of a liberal arts education. And yet, how many of us were actually taught about the stars or have given them much thought? This is sad, because the stars have a lot to say. The Bible says that the heavens declare the glory of God, night after night … More Psalm 147 – Sand and Stars
Fast forward: Job is the greatest man of the East. God boasts. Satan accuses. God allows. Job loses. First, his riches and his children. Then, his health. Heart-stricken perhaps, his wife tells him, “Curse God and die.” But Job refuses. Already the life of Job tells us two things: First, there is pain in this … More The Story of Job: Gratuitous Evil, or “Bad Grace”
Years ago, I experimented with postures in prayer. Instead of bowing my head and closing my eyes, I lifted my eyes to heaven, as Jesus did (John 17:1). Instead of folding my hands, I lifted them, as the psalmist did (Psalm 141:2). Instead of praying silently, I spoke or cried or shouted to God. This … More Psalm 95 – The Postures of Worship
Certain books start movements. As in chemistry, the culture reaches a critical mass—a boiling point, as it were—and then, just at that moment, the right catalyst is added, to speed up the reaction and to bring about a change. Douglas Wilson’s Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning operated as the catalyst for many Christians in … More Review of Douglas Wilson, Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning
Dear Parents: We all need encouragement, and at this time a year ago, I received an encouraging email that should encourage your hearts as well. It is written by a mom with three little ones, the third being a 9 lb. 15.5 oz. girl born just two weeks prior to writing. Years ago, she had … More Teaching Theology to Youth
This morning the Lord was with us in Sunday School in a special way. The teacher was describing from Jeremiah the dangers of false inferences: The Jews inferred from the presence of the temple that God would not destroy His holy city. The inference seems safe. God would surely protect His house; therefore, how could … More Easter Faith
This fall, InterVarsity at Hillsdale College asked me to speak on pride and intellectualism. My background includes both topics, with painful lessons learned; therefore, I agreed, in hopes of helping students to avoid what I experienced. The following is the gist of what I presented: By my own experience, I know that pride comes quickly … More My Testimony
The duck was right! Frantic, the feathered fowl informed the barnyard (and especially the piglet Babe) of the frightful future ahead. “Christmas is carnage!” he exclaimed. Not meant to be a theological insight, this line from the movie Babe is accurate in two ways. First, the Son of God became human at Christmas. As the … More Christmas Is Carnage
In mathematics, there is a ladder of difficulty, ascending from one subject to the next. Discounting geometry, which kind of lives in a world of its own, the ladder ascends as follows—arithmetic, algebra, trigonometry, and finally, calculus. In the world of calculus, however, something strange happens. The ladder dips into the clouds, and enters the … More The Calculus of Glory
God said to Moses, “I Am Who I Am.” “I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.” Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness … More Identity
