Sara de Moor writes: Shame: The intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love and belonging. As Christians we believe that we—and this world—are flawed. We see evidence of brokenness all around us. This is the reality of living in a fallenContinue Reading
Most of us have at some point in our lives been shocked and appalled at the suffering in this world. You drive past the mangled body on the side of the road. Your neighbour is beaten to near death for his cell-phone. Another helpless girl is gang-raped. Many people inContinue Reading
“Solitude produces melancholy” by Martin Luther “More and graver sins are committed in solitude than in the society of one’s fellow men. The devil deceived Eve in paradise when she was alone. Murder, robbery, theft, fornication, and adultery are committed in solitude, for solitude provides the devil with occasion andContinue Reading
Rev. Mike Brown of the United Reformed Church, North America, writes about four ways that church discipline benefits Christ’s sheep: Perhaps you have heard the story of Shrek, a Merino sheep in New Zealand who not long ago gained international fame for avoiding his shepherds for six years because heContinue Reading
By Michael Horton According to a 2013 survey by LifeWay Research, one-third of Americans agree that “prayer and Bible study alone can overcome serious mental illness.” Nearly half (48 percent) of evangelicals agree. (1) Why on earth would Modern Reformation imagine that it had something important to say, from aContinue Reading
Christians suffer in this life, not only because they live in a fallen world, but also because of their cross-bearing identity with Jesus Christ. Depression is one way that disciples of Christ suffer. With the advancement of medical technology, there is an ever-increasing range of psychotropic drugs available for treatingContinue Reading
NT scholar Craig Blomberg does a fine job in addressing this important subject. The following is his section on miracles and the resurrection (the entire essay can be found here): For some readers, potentially sympathetic to much of what we have already affirmed, the key sticking point remains the questionContinue Reading
Apologetics or the defence of the faith plays an important role in the life of the church. We believe and confess a Jesus rooted in history and now reigning in glory. However, no-one can be reasoned into the kingdom anymore than one can be compelled to become a Christian byContinue Reading
In Matthew 12:1-14 the Pharisees try to trip Jesus up for his so-called Sabbath violations. In his response, Jesus exposes – yet again – the Pharisees for the professional legalists and hypocrites they are. Here we have helpful insights into not only the perpetuity of the Sabbath institution, but alsoContinue Reading
Pastor Robert Godfrey writes: The privilege and blessing of meeting with God in public worship is seriously undervalued in our time. Too often it is thought that small prayer meetings or Bible studies, missionary reports or musical presentations can replace public worship as activities that are more spiritually profitable. SuchContinue Reading