Read Part 1 to catch up but here are two more reasons why I intend to be buried rather than cremated unless providentially hindered. Cremation is no cardinal sin but we should allow Scripture to define how we live and die. 2. In Scripture, the burning of the body was an expression of disgrace toward the person who died. Though not without possible exception (see 1 Sam 31.12), the burning […]
As a pastor I was often asked about cremation. It’s a good question. We believe all Scripture is breathed out by God to adequately equip us for every good work (2 Tim 3.16-17). How we care for the body at death falls within the realm of “every good work.” Therefore, Scripture adequately equips us to answer this question. What should Christians think about cremation? Should we think about it? […]
“but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh” (Gal 6.13). Baseball has its BABIP (batting average on balls in play). Basketball has its PER (player efficiency rating). Football has its AYPA (adjusted yards per attempt). “Analytics” has taken professional sports by storm. Calculus before coaching. Algorithms over experience. Xs-and-Os on a clipboard only arrange 3-D mathematics. Losses once explained by how a fickle […]
Tradition suggests porcelain, feather flowers or chrysoberyl for our 18th wedding anniversary. We already have toilets so porcelain seemed redundant. Flowers or feathers have never sent you over-the-moon so feather flowers seemed doubly blah. Chrysoberyl (whatever it is) sounds really expensive, or toxic. You’d rather get your fine jewelry from Target’s clearance rack anyway. So, what’s a husband to do? This husband can offer what he does least worst: words. Lots […]
If you’ve been in church for any length of time you’ve been admonished to “love the sinner, hate the sin.” That is a helpful corrective to those of us who sin ourselves. Every single person is an image-bearer of God and worthy of the dignity afforded the highest of God’s created beings (Gen 1.26f.). To arrogate oneself as the arbiter of human life deserves the sternest of punishment (Gen 9.6). […]
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you (1 Pt 5.6-7). I do a fair bit of worrying. I worry about long-term, epitaph-related matters like vocation, character and legacy. I worry about our kids’ futures and my wife’s health. I worry about what might happen and what most likely won’t. I […]
A popular Christian radio show recently debuted a new book. It sounded like a beneficial book to help young girls mature in faith and love. The author was most proud of her last chapter that presented “the plan of salvation” and “the sinner’s prayer.” Her highest desire was that young girls would “read and repeat” (her words) and be saved. As sincere and humble as the author was surely God’s […]
For every act of evil replayed ad nauseam on cable news there are a million unreported, anonymous acts of kindness. “It comes as an enormous relief to recognize that, however odious and sweeping sin is, whether in personal idolatry or in its outworking in the barbarities of a Pol Pot or an Auschwitz, God intervenes to restrain evil, to display his ‘common grace’ to and through all, so that glimpses […]
The typical Baptist suffers from Catholiphobia: the fear of all things Catholic. We Baptists often know more about Catholics than Catholicism, which is probably true of any religious tradition. We tend to define religious traditions by the few people we know who practice them rather that what that tradition has historically confessed. Nevertheless, it doesn’t take long for a Baptist to realize he strongly opposes Catholic baptism. The Council of Trent‘s […]
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his godly ones” (Ps 116.15). Mom died 25 years ago today. It was a remarkably Christian death. She died well. Painfully, but well. We buried her across the street from the Itta Bena cotton field in which she was born. Under the magnolia next to her dad, her sister and her infant son. It was brutally hot that day […]