Giving Thanks In Suffering

We live in a cruciform world that is not reducible to formulaic faith teachings. Our contemporary understanding of the developmental process of life on this planet, when interpreted from a biblical worldview, clearly indicates that the design by which God created the world anticipated the Fall and its cosmological consequences. Cruciformity (bearing the marks of the cross; i.e., suffering for the ultimate benefit of others) is embedded into the very fabric of animated existence in our world.

C.S. Lewis in The Problem of Pain argues that this world may not merely be the "best of all possible worlds" through which God's specific purposes may be achieved for our benefit and his own glory, but that this world may indeed be the only possible world through which this may take place. It is both illuminating and comforting to know that the ultimate revelation of God is given us in Christ hanging on the cross followed by his resurrection.

Both the fallenness of our own constitution and the cruciformity of this world make suffering unavoidable. To be sure, God is glorified when faith toward him is exercised and he sovereignly delivers us from suffering by his great power. Yet he is also glorified when we endure suffering and demonstrate self-denying, cross-carrying trust and obedience toward him as we follow the steps of Christ.

In either case, let us be thankful in the midst of our circumstances for this world will soon enough be transformed when Christ returns and consummates God's eternal plan of redemption. And heaven will likely be our part sooner than that.

The Eternity of God

Without beginning or end, God's eternity contrasts sharply with our own mortality. The ninth lesson in the series The Attributes of God focuses on God's eternal nature considered in relationship to created time, human mortality, and the hope of eternal life. Audio and notes are available here, or by clicking the link in the upper right column on this page.

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.