The Pastor's Blog

A bunch of big name pastors are gutting Christ’s cross-work from the gospel. Denying that Christ propitiated God, they claim that God did not pour out His wrath on Christ. For them, Christ did not bear the wrath of God. They say that God did not require blood to forgive sins. Instead, they allege, GodRead more

Why did Jesus die on the cross?  That the cross is central to Christianity makes the answer to that question crucially important.   Central to all aspects of His crucifixion is that on the cross Jesus paid the penalty for sin.  His payment fully satisfied God’s wrath so that His death turned God’s wrath away from us.   On the cross he suffered the wrath we deserve…

One of the great tricks of Satan is to tempt us to trade our freedom for illusory promises.  Often, a false sense of freedom and life actually leads to slavery and death.  We see that in our world today.  He plays on our longing for Edenic rest to trick us into hellish torment.  Instead ofRead more

It’s been almost two weeks since a Florida high school was shot up. I avoided the news for a while, mainly because the reports are too depressing. Well past the midway point of a grey February, the political frenzies after these things seem to make the days darker when they’re actually getting brighter. It becameRead more

I have never heard of sannakji until today.  Reporting on Korean culinary traditions, the New York Times highlights a restaurant called “Blue Sea.”  Seafood is the specialty, and among the dishes is sannajki, “raw octopus so fresh that the slices quiver on the plate.”  Apparently, for “non-Koreans” who visit Korea, “the dish exists almost exclusivelyRead more

I recently read an article that contrasted the Canadian and American identities and histories.  The context of the article was commentary on the American 2nd Amendment.  The author claimed that the American right to bear arms is rooted in the American impulse to live free.  I agree with that historical assessment.  The American Revolution wasRead more

Billy Graham sleeps.  For most of his life, he was a preacher of the Gospel.  He pointed sinners to Jesus, and he told them to repent and have faith.  Now the servant of God is remembered.  Having joined the great cloud of witnesses, he is absent from the body and present with the Lord.  Billy Graham finished his race. Billy Graham’s impact on my life has come largely through secondary and tertiary means.

There’s something about food that brings comfort.  The taste, texture, nutritional value, and the sense of satisfaction that comes when the pallet is finally cleansed.  It is good, and it is from God. In light of this, Jesus’ forty days of fasting in the wilderness is astonishing.  The Bible says “he was hungry” (Matthew 4:2). Read more