The plight of man in a world marred by sin and death demands that one make sense of the suffering that grips every person in various forms and degrees. A person’s world-and-life-view – their underlying convictions concerning the origin, nature, meaning and destiny of man and the world – will inform one’s response to suffering. For the unregenerate, believing a lie that … [Read more...]
Sovereignty & Unjust Suffering: Studies in Daniel, Part 2/2
Through the grid of God’s sovereignty, Daniel provides not only a practical philosophy of suffering for the Christian but also a foundation for action. Paul could say to the church in Colossae, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of his body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions” (Col. … [Read more...]
Sovereignty & Unjust Suffering: Studies in Daniel, Part 1/2
Divine Sovereignty & Christian Suffering In view of Christian experience and, indeed, that of Daniel, it must be asked as to how one responds to 'unjust suffering'. While 'unjust suffering' can manifest in many forms, the focus of this article is on persecution. Perhaps the best way to view ‘unjust suffering’ in the book of Daniel is through the words and teaching of … [Read more...]
The Place of Immunity
... hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3 Just as the outer man is subject to the attack of infection and various toxins, so also, the inner man. According to the Oxford Reference Dictionary to be immune is to be, "resistant to a particular infection, toxin etc., owing to the presence of specific antibodies..." There is a place of immunity where our inner life is safe from … [Read more...]
The Dwelling of God
And the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us … John 1:14 God’s purpose has always been to dwell with men. From the beginning of time to its culmination, from Eden to the New Jerusalem, this has been his singular desire. In the Garden, it was God’s habit to come down and commune with the first human community, most probably at the close of each … [Read more...]