C.S. Lewis wrote that the first step to “acquire humility” is “to realize that one is proud. If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed.” Lewis is probably correct that pride shadows us more than we know. Thankfully the Word of God helps us to see how we can re-orient our lives, speech and motives more humbly. Moreover, the eternal Word become flesh helps us to see what humbling oneself looks like; especially when it is motivated by love.

Psalm 2 is an obvious Messianic Psalm and is referenced several times in the New Testament. We will look briefly at the Psalm and then in three interesting places where the New Testament shows its fulfillment.

When Paul says “Love does not envy” he is addressing the earnestness of our desire. A strong or intense desire is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, Scripture tells us to “earnestly desire” higher spiritual gifts among other things (1Cor 12.31). But if we desire or love something in the wrong way and to the wrong degree, then we have entered into the realm of envy. The darkness of envy will not rest until it has snuffed out its rival, even if that rival is the “light of the world.” 

The Lord cares for us in the midst of the suffering we face in this life as Christians. So let us revel in his love and gratefully love him in return.

This series of chapel talks (based on 1Corinthians 13) is intended to answer the question, “What Is Love?” Few questions could be more important or more practical. Our “greatest” duty is to love God with all of our heart and to love our neighbor as ourselves. So, if we miss this, we have missed the most obvious thing of all. This first lesson looks at the two sides of love—in what it is determined to endure and what it is willing to give.

Love is Passive and Active (1Cor 13.4)

In this episode, Office Hours talks to Rev. Dr. A. Craig Troxel about his new book, “With All Your Heart: Orienting Your Mind, Desires, and Will toward Christ.”

Where can we find hope in the midst of the often hopeless experiences of life?  

Israel’s redemption from her former slavery never drifted far from her corporate memory. 

It might surprise Christians that the book of Hebrews discusses topics such as creation/new creation and the first Adam/Last Adam. 

In Genesis chapter 1, we read of the so-called “creation mandate” that was given as a command to Adam and Eve. Much of the language from that mandate is repeated after the flood in Genesis 9. 

Many Christians don’t realize that their union with Christ at salvation actually presupposes their union with Adam in sin. 

What distinguishes us from chimpanzees? In addition to identifying the obvious physical differences, we usually make the case that this difference lies with something within us, that is, the rational soul. 

How can God justify the ungodly like you and me?  Because of the Servant who remained faithful as He suffered and substituted for us.

Meet A. Craig Troxel, Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Seminary California

 In these verses we ascend the summit of John’s prologue. In it we hear echoes of God’s appearing on the mountain to Moses, who condescends once again, only now embodied in the Word. He comes in the fullness of his steadfast love and faithfulness for those who look to him out of the emptiness they feel within. And those that do will not be disappointed.