Yes, There are ‘Thorns’ in Vocational Ministry Too
Last week, The New York Times published an insightful and intriguing article by Charles Duhigg entitled, “Wealthy, Successful, and Miserable.”
Duhigg, himself a graduate of Harvard’s Business School, explores the level of job satisfaction attained by America’s highest achievers. These individuals, on the surface, look like they have it all. Impressive degrees, high-power jobs, and lots of money.
Surely, if anyone would be happy, it would be these folks. And yet, Duhigg discovers, most of these folks are profoundly miserable.
It turns out that our modern era’s unprecedented economic success is matched only by the unprecedented amount of job dissatisfaction that has come with it. Professional disappointment is … Continue reading...
5 Things Every Christian Should be Doing with God’s Word
Psalm 119 is an amazing Psalm. Not only is it the longest Psalm (176 verses!), but it is also the Psalm that deals the most directly with the topic of Scripture. Virtually every verse, in one way or another, refers to God’s Word.
David (who is most likely the author) uses a variety of terminology to describe God’s Word: commandments, law, statutes, precepts, ordinances, rules, words, testimonies, etc. These all refer to the Scriptures as they existed in David’s day (essentially the Pentateuch).
Thus, Psalm 119 is one of the best examples of Scripture speaking about Scripture. It is the Word about the Word.
And in it, we find David … Continue reading...
Is Capitalism Based on Greed?
Ever since Gordon Gekko’s character in the movie Wall Street uttered the phrase, “Greed is good,” there has been a wide-spread and oft-repeated myth that capitalism is based on greed. And, so the argument goes, if capitalism is driven by a sinful desire (greed), then it must be rejected as an immoral system.
Such issues have come up again in recent months as a number of new members of congress (and old members) are pushing the country away from capitalism and towards socialism, mostly on moral grounds. Even some well-meaning evangelicals, who have a genuine care for the poor, find themselves drawn to this new movement and its disdain … Continue reading...
A Great New Book on Prayer
I am so pleased to see that my wife Melissa’s new book on prayer is nearing release: 5 Things to Pray for Your Kids: Prayers that Change Things for the Next Generation (The Good Book Company, 2019).
We have already received some copies, but the book will not be formally released until March 1st.
This will be Melissa’s fifth book. Her others are The Envy of Eve, Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood, Identity Theft, and In All Things.
Several things I like about it:
1. It actually helps make your prayers concrete. Rather than saying to someone, “Just pray for your … Continue reading...
Congratulations to Dr. Kevin DeYoung
I am pleased to announced that on Jan 10th, Kevin DeYoung successfully defended his Ph.D. thesis at the University of Leicester in the UK.
In 2017, Kevin joined our faculty as Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology. He also serves as the senior pastor of Christ Covenant Church here in Charlotte.
Of course, Kevin is well known through his speaking, teaching, and writing ministry. He has been a great addition to the faculty and the students have loved his classes.
For those interested in taking a class with Kevin, this Spring term he will be teaching Systematic Theology 3: Ecclesiology and Sacraments. For more, see here.
We are blessed … Continue reading...