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Living and Dying to Show the Preciousness of Christ

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William Tyndale: A Book Review

William Tyndale: A Book Review

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When parents ask me what they should do to raise their children to be the sort of people that change the world I tell them that they

The Couplet beneath reads: To scatter Roman darkness by this light The loss of land and life I'll reckon slight.
The Couplet beneath reads:
To scatter Roman darkness by this light
The loss of land and life I’ll reckon slight.

ought to frequently read Christian biographies to their children. I know the profound impact Christian biography had in my own life; early and often my parents had me read the stories of Hudson Taylor, Jim and Elisabeth Elliot, William Carey, Amy Carmichael, and many others and this cast a vision for the blessedness of following and honoring God. Obviously, this isn’t the only thing parents should do, but it is one very important thing; give your children a template for how they ought to live as they grow into adulthood.

Well, biographies have simply become a constant companion for me along the way of life, and I usually read through a couple every year. I must say that “William Tyndale” by David Daniell was certainly the most scholastically intense biography I’ve ever read (and as a result it took me about 2 years to get all the way through this one). I’m not a fast reader, but I’m not slow either; so this one is certainly not for the faint of heart, or the small of vocabulary, or short of attention span! [Read more…] about William Tyndale: A Book Review

Bildad Had Sound Doctrine

Bildad Had Sound Doctrine

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In my recent journey through the book of Job, one thing that had always puzzled me about the story of Job seemed to grow 6951253530_707108d13aclear. I’ve always been curious why the advice and counsel of Job’s friends–Bildad, Eliphaz, and Zophar (all relatives of Abram, by the way)–is full of profound truths about our God that the Bible teaches elsewhere; yet, in the end they are rebuked by God. These guys seem to be staunch defenders of the faith, do they not? Here is some of what they say, full of pretty good doctrine!

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Beware Erasmus

Beware Erasmus

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Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus (27 October 1466 – 12 July 1536)

Beware Erasmus.
In a recent foray through David Daniell’s meticulous biography of William Tyndale, I have been stirred more than once by this simple warning: “Beware Erasmus.” It has become a slogan I have begun to frequently whisper to my soul, (for reasons that shall soon become clear) to provoke me to stay on guard against the enchanting fumes of pride. We recognize the perceived deadness of the previous generation and we refuse to follow in that path; we, instead, want a robust and living spirituality. I’ve seen my peers pursue this healthy desire in two very unhealthy ways.
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The Standard of the Cross: Hudson Taylor’s Blazing Passion

The Standard of the Cross: Hudson Taylor’s Blazing Passion

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It is hard to peer through the haze of decades and centuries and discern the motives, intents, desires, longings, and passions of great men of history. When Washington crossed the Delaware, what feelings were truly beating within Him? As Alexander the Great marched from kingdom to kingdom, what thoughts motivated his every move, and flittered through every dream? When William Wallace fought upon the fields of Bannockburn, what creed genuinely coursed through his soul? When Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the door of All Saints Church in Wittenberg, what spurred him onward and what affections swelled his breast? It is hard to know. However, the annals of history, the letters, correspondences, personal writings, journals, testimonies from friends, acquaintances and enemies, and other numerous witness give us a structure whereby we can sort of squint our eyes and make out the personality, characteristics, and motives of these persons of renown.

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George Muller: For the Benefit of the Church

George Muller: For the Benefit of the Church

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But I operate the ministry this way for the benefit of the Church at Large. I cheerfully bear the trials and the precious joys of this life of faith if at least some of my fellow-believers might see that a child of God does have power with Him by prayer and faith. Page 164 of autobiography

The legendary faith of George Mueller had an aroma about it which
persistently followed his ministry, writings, preaching, and testimony.  That aroma was selfless service. He spent 70 years in a lifestyle of ministry and service, preaching multiple times a week, and providing food, lodging, education, and spiritual discipleship for thousands of orphans in Britain.  He pastored the same church for 66 years (Muller of Bristol pg 92), read through the scriptures hundreds of times, never once asked anyone, but God, for a cent, refused to accept a salary (Muller of Bristol pg. 92), started an organization devoted to cultivating strong biblical knowledge and application, established over a hundred schools dedicated to Christian education, disseminated a multitude of tracts, Bibles, and Christian literature.   Further, he spent the last several years of his long life touring the world doing a sort of evangelistic preaching mission. Such accomplishments beg the question: what engine drove this man? [Read more…] about George Muller: For the Benefit of the Church

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