Ten years after 911, the destruction of the Twin Towers in New York City, Robert Reilly provided the structure for identifying and defeating the enemy that had declared war on the West. That structure unfolded in the pages of his…
Category: Theology
The Church and the Future
We who are in the church, especially pastors and denominational executives, have a vested interest in maintaining the church as it currently exists. Of course we’d like our church and/or denomination to grow, but what we mean is that we would like more of what it already is, more of the same kind of people, more resources, etc. What we really want is a better status quo, churches like the ones we have, but bigger. But is that what God wants or what God is doing at this time in history? It doesn’t seem to be. The church plural is in crisis. I don’t have a magic solution for this problem, but it is worth discussing, worth facing up to some harsh realities, and taking stock. Which is better: harsh realities or false hope? …
Wickedness
Christians are also called to stand against what the Authorized Version calls spiritual wickedness (πονηρία), and the English Standard Version calls spiritual forces of evil. Again, note that we are not called to oppose people, flesh and blood, but wrong…
Sustainability
Eph. 6:3 is about human sustainability on earth. God’s plan all along has been to nurture sustainable human development “on earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). The eternality of heaven must include human sustainability. These first few verses…
Eucharist
“giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” —Ephesians 5:20 When Paul directed Christians to give thanks always and for everything, he used the word Eucharist (εὐχαριστέω). The word is…
Redemption
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. –Ephesians 5:15-16 Christ redeems us (Galatians 4:5, Titus 2:14) and we are to redeem the time…
The Call to Culture War
But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” –Ephesians 5:13-14 In verse 14…
Fixity, Take II
“They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. –Ephesians 4:18 Paul said that the Gentiles do what they do “due to their…
Peace and Christian Unity
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain…
Least?
Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was…