“O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go”
As a young man, Scotsman George Matheson (1842–1906) exhibited a quick mind and a fervent devotion to the Lord. He began to train for the… Read More »“O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go”
Love
Greet one another with a holy kiss
If someone was to tell you every day, multiple times a day, that you were an extremely handsome man or beautiful woman, that repeated compliment… Read More »Greet one another with a holy kiss
“Hate” – A Word Like “Atheism”
His name was Polycarp, and he was a disciple of the apostle John. He later became the pastor of the church at Smyrna. When he… Read More »“Hate” – A Word Like “Atheism”
The Complexity of Hating What God Hates
No one should love what God hates. No one should hate what God loves. But, as we have seen, God has the ability to love… Read More »The Complexity of Hating What God Hates
Does God Hate Sinners?
God’s hatred is a necessary part of His love. Whatever opposes, harms, defiles or otherwise threatens what He loves experiences His displeasure, often erupting in… Read More »Does God Hate Sinners?
The Hate That God Hates
God does not hate all hate. Some hate is actively encouraged by God. Indeed, if hate exists as the opposite of love, it follows that… Read More »The Hate That God Hates
Ten Mangled Words: Hate
Hate has become the only sin the left recognises. To them, it is apparently not possible to sin sexually, and any and every form of… Read More »Ten Mangled Words: Hate
Forgiven Much
They tried to make her leave. She knew she shouldn’t be here, but she loved him deeply, a love that came from a heart of… Read More »Forgiven Much
Augustine on that which deserves the name “love”
Too often, contemporary Christianity sees all emotions or affections as essentially equal. For this reason, many conclude as long as some kind of religious emotion… Read More »Augustine on that which deserves the name “love”
Worship isn’t just something we do; it is where God does something to us.
When we tacitly assume that we are the primary actors in worship, then we also assume that worship is basically an expressive endeavor. This is why we… Read More »Worship isn’t just something we do; it is where God does something to us.
Christian worship is corporate
Paul has a corporate worship in mind in 1 Corinthians 14, and as the Apostle addresses the problem of tongues in Corinth, he at the same teaches… Read More »Christian worship is corporate
Some Reflections on Pastoral Love: Part 2
Last week, I wrote of several ways in which Paul evidenced his love for the very difficult congregation of Corinth. Now, I will add one… Read More »Some Reflections on Pastoral Love: Part 2
There are no conservative hermits
The following is excerpted and adapted from an address that I had the privilege of offering at a recent gathering of conservative friends, on the… Read More »There are no conservative hermits
All Things to All Men | Part 5: What the Passage Means (vv22-23)
In 1 Cor 9:22, Paul says, “I have become all things to all men that by all means I might save some.” This should not be… Read More »All Things to All Men | Part 5: What the Passage Means (vv22-23)
Knowledge Puffs Up
Love edifies. It builds up others. When Christians love other believers, they take concrete steps to help them spiritually. When God loves his people, he… Read More »Knowledge Puffs Up
Charity and its Fruits by Jonathan Edwards
Although I have been writing this series of posts intermittently for two years now, I have yet to recommend a book by the man who… Read More »Charity and its Fruits by Jonathan Edwards
On Loving God
Reading works from the Middle Ages is a strange experience. Some of their theological blind-spots seem to us to be so obvious that only willful… Read More »On Loving God
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
Relevance is Irrelevant (Part 8)
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 In 1 Corinthians 1, Paul repeatedly points to the preaching of the deliberately unadorned gospel as the… Read More »Relevance is Irrelevant (Part 8)