“The message is always the same, but the methods can change.” That seems to be a mantra of contemporary evangelicalism. As with most Christian mantras, there’s a lot of truth to it. Otherwise it might’ve been rejected out of hand. And as with most Christian mantras, there’s a lot of danger in it. Otherwise it … More Message and Method
It sounds like a few people are profiting from Dr. Hannah’s wisdom, so I’ll try to share from all six days of class. Here are some loose quotes from Wednesday’s class. There are some longer ones here, but they will repay the time you spend. (Here are the quotes from Monday and Tuesday) Theological controversies: … More Wit and Wisdom from John Hannah (3)
I don’t know how long I’ll do this, but here are some more loose quotes from my Winterim class on Jonathan Edwards taught by John Hannah (context is in bold). Part 1 is here (Monday’s quotes). The following quotes are from Tuesday. Each is worth repeating for different reasons. Reading the Bible: The first book you … More Wit and Wisdom from John Hannah (2)
Unlike me, John Hannah is skilled at making significant points with few words. He’s a proverb-producing machine. I hesitate to use the word “wit” in the title of this post because of its negative connotations in the previous post. But it’s the best word for the title, and this time I mean good by it. John Hannah … More Wit and Wisdom from John Hannah (1)
One of the greatest maladies of the blogworld is the disease of clever-seeking. I’ve seen it in myself and I’ve seen it in others, but it’s unhealthy no matter where it’s found. What I’m talking about is the insatiable drive to say something witty and clever, something that catches people’s attention whether it’s balanced and … More The Scourge of Cleverness
At ends and at beginnings, my mind is usually overrun with thoughts about the past, present, and future; failures and successes; regrets and resolutions; time and eternity; and a lot more. This can be both good and bad. I thought about developing some thoughts about redeeming culture, specifically the custom of making New Year’s resolutions. But I … More Not About Me: Thoughts on a New Year
I’ve always thought that the account of Simeon in Luke 2:21-35 is a very precious and moving story. I’ve read it and been stirred by it at all times of the year. But of course, it’s particularly striking around Christmas. Simeon was an elderly man who had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he wouldn’t die until he had seen … More All I Want for Christmas: Simeon’s Hope
Probably like you, I get a number of email prayer requests. Some requests are about people I know, and some are about people I’ve never heard of and will probably never hear about again, much less meet. Even if the prayer request is from someone I’m familiar with, often the prayer need itself is about … More Email Prayer Requests and People I Don’t Know
Lord-willing, I finish my Master of Divinity degree in one week. That’s hard to believe. I haven’t really reflected on the reality of it yet, but it’s a significant process that the Lord has brought me through. My foremost concern going into seminary was that my heart would grow cold, I would learn to treat the … More Master of Divinity
The great hope of all Christian labor and perseverance is that one day every knee will bow before our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the king of the universe and the rightful ruler of the world. If I didn’t believe this — and if God wasn’t faithful to remind me of it often — I would … More Every Knee Will Bow
I think there are at least a couple different ways to think about holidays like Thanksgiving. On the one hand, I’m grateful for the reminder to give thanks for the immeasurable blessings that God has poured into my life. On the other hand, I wish I weren’t so oblivious to God’s grace and so consistently … More Thinking about Thanksgiving
I think it can be very arrogant and ignorant to read about the failures of people in the Bible and to talk about those people as though they’re completely dense or slow or idiotic in light of the foolish things they did or the obvious responsibilities they neglected. Treating historical figures condescendingly is easy for any sinner to … More Take Heed Lest You Fall
The second Sunday of November (yesterday) was the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Here are some links and information about the persecuted church that I posted a couple days ago. What that post lacked was some ways to pray for our suffering brothers and sisters around the world. Here are seven, with their … More Ways to Pray for the Persecuted Church
This Sunday November 12 is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP). The following are some links and resources about believers around the world who are suffering for their faith. I haven’t thoroughly researched all of these sites and organizations, so read at your own discretion. Unfortunately some of them are theologically ecumenical, … More International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church
I am becoming more and more convinced that if you ever stop thinking while you’re walking through this world, you’re done for. Anti-God, anti-Bible, pro-self, pro-sin worldviews are everywhere, and they’re pumped into us (especially through media, entertainment, and technology) like an I.V. for the mind. If you take one mental pit stop at the … More Worldview Everywhere
About ten minutes ago I finished a long and thought-out post about rejoicing in the midst of trials instead of simply rejoicing in hindsight. It’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot over the past few months. I felt that it was worth it to stay up later to write it, even though I knew … More Harder to Live
davidagundersen.com 