The Self-Sufficiency of God

God has no intrinsic need for his creation, including humans, in any respect whatsoever. Nevertheless, God desires us with an eternal desire of love. We, on the other hand, are dependent in every respect: physically, relationally, psychologically, and especially spiritually. Through the incarnation, the Son of God entered our world of dependence. Through him we have reconciliation with God and access to his provision for our lives.

God's Self-Sufficiency is the topic of the eighth lesson in the series, The Attributes of God, which can be accessed here or in the upper right column of this page.

Jesus Overcomes Adversity

Life can be frustrating, especially if you have noble goals and objectives burning in your heart. Jesus himself expressed exasperation and frustration as is recorded in the Gospels. Many years ago I wrote a brief paper on the adversity which Jesus faced and overcame. In it I reflect upon his discouraging circumstances, flawed disciples, hostile opposition, brutal violence, suffering friends, and personal loneliness. Just as he overcame all of this, so also he expects us to do the same and tells us how. The paper can be accessed here.

Note: Harry Emerson Fosdick's The Manhood of the Master served as the basis for much of what is communicated in this paper. While I found his book to be enormously helpful for reflection upon Jesus' humanity, this is not an endorsement of all of his theological views.

The Authority of Scripture

I wrote a position paper for Every Nation Churches & Ministries some time ago on the authority of Scripture. Topics briefly covered include:

• The Authority of God
• The Nature of Biblical Revelation
• The Establishment of the Biblical Canon
• The Nature of Biblical Inspiration
• Understanding Inerrancy & Infallibility
• The Dialogue of Scripture, Tradition, Reason & Experience
• The Clarity & Sufficiency of Scripture
• The Interpretation & Application of Scripture
• Existential Response To & Eschatological Purpose Of The Bible

The paper also was used as the basis for the seventeenth lesson of the course I taught on hermeneutics, which can be accessed in the upper right column of this webpage, or by clicking here.

You may also access the paper here.

The Omnipresence of God

God is present everywhere all the time in all his power, and yet the universe cannot contain him. At the same time his manifest presence is veiled from sinful humanity, but revealed in measures through the Holy Spirit to the humble, believing. These thoughts (God's omnipresence and his immanence) are the focus of the seventh installment in the Attributes of God series. Audio and notes are available here, or by clicking the link in the upper right column.

The Omnipotence of God

The Omnipotence of God marks the sixth installment of the Attributes of God series. After a brief consideration of God's unlimited power and ability, attention is given to seven implications of God's omnipotence as it pertains to us as humans. Audio and notes are available here, or by clicking the appropriate link in the right hand column.