The Process of Correspondent Love
Love for God’s beauty is known not only by imagination and through changed nature, but also by exposure. The writer of Theologia Germanica wrote, “And… Read More »The Process of Correspondent Love
affections
Voices From the Past on Loving God Rightly
It would be an insurmountable task to gather the collective thought of Christians on the topic of love for God. Suffice it to say, that… Read More »Voices From the Past on Loving God Rightly
Votes From the Democracy of the Dead
The idea of ordinate affection is not welcome today. Narcissism has become a celebrated virtue, and is now even given the monikers transparent, authentic, and real.… Read More »Votes From the Democracy of the Dead
Affect or Effect
The difference between affections and emotions is seen in what art is used in worship. Since worship uses art, worship leaders can use it in… Read More »Affect or Effect
Everything is Uh-Sim
“How’re you guys doin’ today?” “Fine, thanks.” “Uh-sim. Will you be using a rewards card today?” “Uh, no.” “Uh-sim. Cash back?” “No, not today.” Swipes… Read More »Everything is Uh-Sim
Emotional or Affected?
While C. S. Lewis encourages us to not place too much stock in our feelings, he was adamant that the whole point of education was… Read More »Emotional or Affected?
Stop Feeling Your Feelings
Since emotion is a mangled and confusing word, we need to separate the different experiences it is used to refer to. As we have seen,… Read More »Stop Feeling Your Feelings
Does God Have “Emotions”?
Trying to answer a badly-worded question often leads to an inferior answer. Loaded questions implicate those who even attempt to answer them. “By what authority… Read More »Does God Have “Emotions”?
A Short History of “Emotion”
Some might be surprised to learn that the word emotion is perhaps only 200 years old. Thomas Dixon has documented the history of the term… Read More »A Short History of “Emotion”
Why Hymnals?
I was recently asked to fill out a survey for pastors about their use of hymnals. Their final question was: “If you DO use hymnals… Read More »Why Hymnals?
The Value of Beauty
What possible value can the study of beauty deliver? Isn’t this fiddling while Rome burns, counting daffodil petals while barbarians lay siege to the city?… Read More »The Value of Beauty
Book Announcement: Understanding Affections in the Theology of Jonathan Edwards: “The High Exercises of Divine Love” by Ryan J. Martin
Today marks the release of my first book, Understanding Affections in the Theology of Jonathan Edwards: “The High Exercises of Divine Love.” (Amazon Link | Bloomsbury… Read More »Book Announcement: Understanding Affections in the Theology of Jonathan Edwards: “The High Exercises of Divine Love” by Ryan J. Martin
Two Exams, and Two Questions
I present my children with two written tests. They open the envelope of the first, and see the heading, “Dad Orthodoxy”. A series of questions… Read More »Two Exams, and Two Questions
Habits
Last week I suggested that data transmission alone does not create disciples. Rather, we must focus upon the heart’s inclinations in order to shape one’s… Read More »Habits
Make Disciples
Last week I argued that culture is essentially the behavior of a people. Here is the second peg to the argument I am developing over these… Read More »Make Disciples
Start Them Young
This essay was originally published on April 27, 2012. A couple of events have coincided during the last day or so to bring a question… Read More »Start Them Young
Affections and Passions
Perhaps one of the most important ideas to grasp in any discussion of music and worship is the difference between affections and passions. Premodern thought… Read More »Affections and Passions
Crown Him With Many Crowns
The principal figure of the book of Revelation is the Lamb. He is introduced in Revelation 5, where the seven-sealed scroll represents the outpouring of… Read More »Crown Him With Many Crowns
Congratulations to Ryan Martin
Ryan Martin, regular contributor to Religious Affections Ministries, has successfully defended his dissertation. His Ph.D. will be conferred officially on May 11, but (for what… Read More »Congratulations to Ryan Martin
John Wesley on how the Bible regulates affections
The authority of Scripture is of utmost importance to those of us who write here on the Religious Affections blog. The Bible regulates our doctrine,… Read More »John Wesley on how the Bible regulates affections