If you catch a counselor in a more candid moment, we will admit that this is the kind of question we dread the most in the wake of a tragedy. It’s not that the question lacks a straightforward Biblical answer (Cf. Rom. 8.28 or Gen. 50.20). Nor is it that we lack the courage to speak hard truths... Continue Reading

These two words should be more like oil and fire or like storm clouds and rain, scholasticism fueling the fires of a vibrant Reformed theology or filling the clouds with the water of sound doctrine to fall on thirsty souls. Unfortunately, though this sounds good, this is not always what happens. Rather than revealing and clarifying... Continue Reading

In keeping with the journalistic tradition of looking back at the recent past, we present the top 50 stories of the year that were read on The Aquila Report site based on the number of hits. We will present the 50 stories in groups of 10 to run on five lists on consecutive days. Here... Continue Reading

In keeping with the journalistic tradition of looking back at the recent past, we present the top 50 stories of the year that were read on The Aquila Report site based on the number of hits. We will present the 50 stories in groups of 10 to run on five lists on consecutive days. Here... Continue Reading

Paul and Silas did not say to the jailer:  “Believe in us—since we’re so great—and you will be saved.” No, they said, “Believe in Jesus and you’ll be saved.” The Good News is not about how great you and I are (thank God for that). It’s about how great Jesus is and the wonderful things He’s done for us.   All... Continue Reading

When a church is led by a plurality of elders it not only provides joy for the pastors—but it should provide joy for the church as a whole as they become encouraged by the intentional oversight and care for the body of Christ. In short, true shepherds of God’s flock understand that the church belongs... Continue Reading

While I once caught up with another pastor over coffee, he lamented his church’s looming excommunication of an unrepentant member.  His strained face and words expressed great pain.  Yet he also shared how that final step of censure caused a regular attender stalling formal membership to request joining the church, saying, “I need this kind... Continue Reading

The apostle Paul modeled “joy-based apologetics” when he proclaimed good news to pagans in Lystra and Derbe, as recorded in Acts 14. Having seen Barnabas and Paul heal a crippled man, the crowd bowed down and worshiped them, calling them Zeus and Hermes. The evangelists would have none of it. They told them to “turn... Continue Reading

There should be no predictable theme that emerges in your preaching every week (unless it’s Jesus!) There are times though when an appropriately-edited personal story can be an effective hook to start a message, or a dramatic way to land the homiletical plane at the end. You may need to change some details such as geography or... Continue Reading

“Yesterday I was with about 20 guys for a wild-game feast. As far as I can tell, in the circles I circulate in–places like Patheos for instance–I am the only minister who gives men like these much thought. They’re men who live on the periphery–but most people depend on them for the basic conveniences of modern life. There... Continue Reading