The Amnon and Tamar Story
God had cursed David for his sin with Bathsheba. The curse is spelled out in 2 Samuel 12:10-15. In the next chapter we see the ugly blossom of the curse in David’s life. Not surprisingly, sin produces sin in its…
Category Theology for Everyone
Minister from Your Wounds
Alan T. Baker describes one pastor’s ministry transformation: “Whereas [he] once served out of his words and deeds, he now ministers from his wounds.”[1] Words and deeds matter, but this source of service offers a whole different “deep calleth unto…
Eloquence and Skills Essential for Delivery, Part 3
In the first two parts in this series (here and here), we discussed the truth that eloquence can only glorify God when it takes the role of servant rather than the master. We also so that eloquence starts from the…
WCF 33: Of the Last Judgment
Studies on the end times can be an exercise in speculation. The prospect of looking into a crystal ball is alluring. But eschatology driven by mere curiosity is a sure sign of spiritual immaturity. Serious Christians understand that end-times theology…
What David Received
Editor’s Note: Part one can be found here. David was drunk with power. He “sent” to inquire of Bathsheba and then “sent” for her. He “sent” word to Joab with a directive to “send” him Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband. Then, after…
Eloquence and the Heart, Part 2
“How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matt. 12:34) In the first part, we saw how eloquence can have a place in Biblical preaching only when it…
What David Needed Most
When the reader of second Samuel arrives at chapter eleven, he can hardly believe what he is reading. The previous two stories give us no warning about what is to come. We have no preparation for the David we are…
Eloquence and the Preaching of the Gospel, Part 1
Introduction “Moses said to the Lord, ‘Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent…I am slow of speech and of tongue.’ Then the Lord said to him, ‘Who has made man’s mouth? … Now therefore go, and I will be with…
9 Helps for a Successful Prayer Meeting
As Reformed and Presbyterian Christians, we believe in prayer. We may not be as good at it as we want to be, but every true believer will yearn to spend time with the Lord. This is true of private prayer,…
How to Love Your Church
We often see ourselves as the heroes of the stories we read. We identify with noble characters like Atticus Finch, Elizabeth Bennett, and Frodo Baggins—rarely do we align ourselves with flawed figures like Bob Ewell, Mary Bennett, or Gollum. This…