In reference to the disciples, J. Gresham Machen wrote in 1923,
"Yet those same weak, discouraged men, within a few days after the death of their Master, instituted the most important spiritual movement that the world has ever seen. What had produced the astonishing change? What had transformed the weak and cowardly disciples into the spiritual conquerors of the world? Evidently it was not the mere memory of Jesus' life, for that was a source of sadness rather than of joy. Evidently the disciples of Jesus, within the few days between the crucifixion and the beginning of their work in Jerusalem, had received some new equipment for their task. What that new equipment was, at least the outstanding and external element in it (to say nothing of the endowment which Christian men believe to have been received at Pentecost), is perfectly plain. The great weapon with which the disciples of Jesus set out to conquer the world was not a mere comprehension of eternal principles; it was an historical message, an account of something that had recently happened, it was the message, 'He is risen.'" [ Christianity and Liberalism]
"The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 15:56-57)
A.W. Tozer writes in The Pursuit of God: Christian theology teaches the doctrine of prevenient grace, which, briefly stated, means that before a man can seek God, God must first have sought the man. Before a sinful man can think a right thought of...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
"Very much of that which passes among men for the worship of God is but 'strange fire' after all. There is neither the pure fire nor the pure incense, and therefore Heaven accepts it not; and albeit the divine judgment is not seen to fall upon...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
For the past few months, I have been working my way through Foundations of Grace by Steve Lawson. I heartily commend this work to anyone who cherishes the sovereign grace of God.Jesus Christ Himself is the sole Builder of the church, as He...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
The modern day church has the strange idea that we can somehow separate Jesus from His Word, thus allowing professing believers to subtly maintain their autonomy from God’s authority. But the Scriptures clearly teach that you cannot love...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Many Christians today fail to see the hidden dangers behind the man-centeredness of today’s so-called Evangelicalism and, therefore, may question the validity of exposing doctrinal error within the church. Benjamin B. Warfield was a warrior...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
One of the books that really fed my soul this past year is "Gospel Fear" by Jeremiah Burroughs (1599-1649). Republished by Soli Deo Gloria, this book deals primarily with the heart that is truly tender and prepared to hear the Word of God. The...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
As we continue to witness the rapid departure from biblical truth and godly living in today’s church, we need to admit that it is partly the fruit of preaching an unbiblical gospel that divides the work of Christ as Savior from His Lordship....[ abbreviated | read entire ]
A.W. Tozer died the year I was born but, if I had known him, I think we would have gotten along quite well. In fact, I think I would have asked him if we could do lunch once a month just so I could pick his brain. Because in my opinion the main...[ abbreviated | read entire ]