Why Kuyper? Richard Mouw's Abraham Kuyper: A Short and Personal Introduction (Eerdmans, 2011), in part, seeks to answer that question. Kuyper, according to Mouw, asked many of the questions that should be central for the Reformed church. The questions that motivated much of Kuyper's thinking about how Christians are to serve the Lord in the broad reaches of culture [are] How are we to understand God's intentions in creating the world and - in response to the human rebellion that thwarted God's creating purposes - in … [Read more...] about The Lure of Abraham Kuyper
Christ
Book Review: Jesus The Sage
My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:2-3, NIV). A number of years ago, C. S. Lewis framed the Liar, Lunatic, Lord argument that asserted that Jesus could not possibly have been merely a good teacher–either he lied about his own identity which would make him not good, he was deluded … [Read more...] about Book Review: Jesus The Sage
“Time” to be imitated?
The Marks of a Christian Scholar: A Vocational Description (Part Three)[1] Mark Eckel, ThM PhD, Professor of Leadership, Education & Discipleship Capital Seminary & Graduate School, Washington, D.C. By guiding attention we take in our hands the key to the formation and the development of personality and character. -- Lev Semyonovich Vygotsky[2] My first stint as an educator was chosen by a four letter word: time. My training was in pastoral studies. But I was being offered a position as a high … [Read more...] about “Time” to be imitated?
Book Review: Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy
Eric Metaxas' Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy (Thomas Nelson, 2011) is a long biography not easily summarized in a few paragraphs. What I will do instead is mention some of my takeaways. 1. What a marvelous and unusual thing to see someone from an elite home who couples all the culture, education, and family resources with a deep and vital Christian faith. 2. Dietrich Bonhoeffer's (1906 – 1945) visit to the United States in the 1930s was eye-opening in its portrayal of the vacuousness of liberalism. … [Read more...] about Book Review: Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy
Hands and Feet
[This was originally written for a Christian campus publication, Revisions.] The patient came in for a refill of pain medications even though it was his first visit to the family medicine practice. The front desk staff had a letter for the supervising resident from the patient's previous doctor, which the resident read out loud to me: “Due to difficulties in our doctor-patient relationship, we regret to inform you that we can no longer serve as your primary care physician office.” The resident's eyes widened … [Read more...] about Hands and Feet