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Satanic Strategies from The Screwtape Letters, Part 3: Mind, Emotion, and Pleasure
- -You may recognize from the title of this installment the language often used by Christians to describe aspects of our human souls as we interact with God, the world, and the devil. No one can steal us from God’s kingdom once we are saved and secure in Christ. Jesus himself… Read More -
Satanic Strategies from The Screwtape Letters, Part 2: Faith, Worship, and Fellowship
- -In the introduction to the series, I laid out some of C.S. Lewis’s demonology and theology related to the powers and limitations of Satan and his hordes. Now we will move into more specific areas of satanic attack in The Screwtape Letters and how believers can respond. Because Wormwood's "patient"… Read More -
Satanic Strategies from The Screwtape Letters, Part 1: The Powers and Limitations of Demons
- -Before and since my time in Oxford, I have immersed myself in the writings of C. S. Lewis. My re-reading of The Screwtape Letters has inspired me to create a summary of major themes from thirty-one letters sent by master demon Screwtape to his nephew, a novice demon named Wormwood.… Read More -
The Church Jesus Started
- -After completing my one year Bible reading plan in August (took me over a year and a half, ha!), I asked myself where to go next. I chose the Book of Acts. The narratives in Acts energize my faith as perhaps no other readings do. They remind me of how… Read More -
Keeping Our Hearts Free of Contempt
- -When contempt creeps into relationships with spouses, friends, political allies, opponents, or brothers and sisters in Christ, it can quickly metastasize and destroy love, honor, and peace. This is a lesson I have had to learn over and over again in my life. Because I am called to influence people… Read More -
Reaching Out to the God-Fearers
- -The Christian church was launched by Jewish apostles who had walked with Jesus and fully embraced the gospel he taught. Jesus had appointed them to this task, commissioned them to serve as his witnesses to the entire world (Acts 1:8), and sent the gift of the Holy Spirit to empower… Read More -
As Usual: Daniel's Response to Governmental Threats to Religious Liberty
- -I've been pondering some striking passages in the book of Daniel that have clear application to current controversies about religious liberty. Daniel and other well-bred young men were exiled from Israel, brought to Babylon, and trained as advisors to King Nebuchadnezzar and his successor, King Darius. Daniel made other bureaucrats… Read More -
The Essence of Oxford
- -Last week I had the immense pleasure of visiting Oxford, England with a group of 14 writers. As we basked in the mysterious essence of a thousand years of history, we were transformed and in awe of God’s sovereignty and beauty. Oxford's history is marked by its share of cruel scars.… Read More -
Do Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly
- -I read the book of the prophet Micah recently, and came upon this well-known and loved verse: He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? (6:8)… Read More -
The Pride of Thistles and the Fate of Nations
- -In the coolness of early morning, I went out to work in the backyard. We have a small area close to the house covered with rock and other landscaping, but the rest of the backyard is wild and natural. This is where the deer, squirrels, bunnies, and foxes scamper about.… Read More -
The Potter and His Many Pots
- -Biblical metaphor portrays God as a potter who sometimes forms pots from fresh clay, and sometimes from broken pieces that he reclaims from the dust. The metaphor appears first in the Psalms, several times in Isaiah and Jeremiah, and in three New Testament passages. We are pots fashioned by the… Read More -
Broken Cisterns and Living Water (revisited)
- -Tim Keller has described prayer as “intimacy with the infinite.” Yes, the majestic, infinite God stoops down to hear the cries of his creatures. He comes near. In fact, he comes inside. Intimacy: Into me you see, O Lord. We are connected in Christ to the mystery of the infinite… Read More
The Scripture Comes to Life Blog
One of my greatest joys is reading and studying the Bible. While I do so, I pray that God will give me supernatural insight I’ve never seen or heard preached before. He has faithfully done so. A teacher at heart, my study is driven by a desire to teach and share the wonderful truths he reveals.
I’ve written on a wide variety of themes and topics. The blogs are searchable by topic and with keywords.
As you read, may Scripture come to life for you in many marvelous and helpful ways.