Idolatry has plagued humanity from its earliest days. Whether crafted in gold or conceived in the heart, idolatry is the soul’s attempt to reimagine God according to its own desires. The Israelites, newly redeemed from Egyptian slavery, needed this warning: "You shall not make for yourself a carved image" (Deut 5:8). They had seen idolatry … Continue reading The Loving God and the Foolishness of Idolatry
Christianity
The Holy Spirit: Divine Creator, Life-Giver, and Teacher
The theology of the Holy Spirit entails three profound areas of focus: his deity, his work as Life-Giver, and Teacher. Firstly, the Holy Spirit is recognized as true God. This divine essence shines through from the very outset of Scripture, where the Spirit of God is seen moving over the waters during creation (Genesis 1:2). … Continue reading The Holy Spirit: Divine Creator, Life-Giver, and Teacher
The Doctrine of the Resurrection
Why does the Christian religion depend on Jesus’ resurrection? How could we prove the resurrection of Jesus? Did the Old Testament give us any reason to hope for Jesus’ resurrection? In the resurrection of Jesus, the doctrines of “God’s character and purposes, creation, humanity as the covenant servant, and Christ as Lord and Servant—converge.”[1] … Continue reading The Doctrine of the Resurrection
THE INTIMIDATING GOD WORTH FINDING
Paul approached the scholarly philosophers on Mars Hill to free them from their vain philosophies and introduce them to the true God. He warned the Colossians against falling to vain philosophies (Col. 2:8). Now he worked to free the Epicureans and Stoics from their own error so they could know the true God. The Epicureans … Continue reading THE INTIMIDATING GOD WORTH FINDING
Ministry Commission
Luke 3:3 When John received the word, he went with the word. No greater testimony could be given of man that he received the word and went with the word. So much is said in the simple phrase “he went.” O’ that we would all go. I am amazed at how many can hear the … Continue reading Ministry Commission
Lord, Help Me to Trust You–Salvation by Faith
Trust is the root of faith and the basis of our religion and life. We must learn to trust Him. We strive not just to trust him more, but to trust him completely. Mark 9 records a wonderful illustration of growing trust in Jesus. When they came back to the disciples, they saw a large … Continue reading Lord, Help Me to Trust You–Salvation by Faith
On Christian Love
Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all … Continue reading On Christian Love
What Does it Mean to Be a Believer?
Leon Morris described Romans 3:21-22 this way, "In what is possibly the most important single paragraph ever written, Paul brings out something of the grandeur of Christ’s saving work. He speaks of the righteousness of God, the sin of man, and the salvation of Christ. He views this salvation in three ways: as justification (imagery from … Continue reading What Does it Mean to Be a Believer?
Holy, Holy, Holy
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee. Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty, God in three persons, blessed Trinity! God is holy, but what does it mean to be holy? Holiness is a "chief attribute of God and a quality to be developed in his people. … Continue reading Holy, Holy, Holy
Holy Ambitions
Ambition for worldly prizes is attractive but vain. Jesus said, “do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust corrupt and thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven” (Matthew 6:19-20). God commends holy ambitions. God’s people are to look for every opportunity to “abound … Continue reading Holy Ambitions
Donnie's Dogmatics 