Applied Theology
God promises us triumph for the Christian (1 Corinthians 15). There is a victory already won (even if not fully realized) for all those who are alive in Christ. One of the great promises which attends this victory of Christ is implicit in 1 Corinthians 15:58: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding... Continue Reading →
This Sunday, I will finish a 6 week series on the New Testament concept of the church. When Christ sought to establish the instrument through which He would sustain His redemptive work to its completion, He founded the church, called both His body and His bride. Christ's church must accomplish Christ's purposes and should honor... Continue Reading →
In his annual Christmas day address, Pope Benedict XVI urged citizens of the earth to realize (and make the most of) the good soil on the earth. It was clear from his message that the Pontiff intended to promote peace and hope: "In this world, there is a good soil God has prepared," the pope... Continue Reading →
Violently (yet relatively quietly) Christians are dying out in Bible lands. In the place where Paul was converted and in the location of the church that first sent an offering to help needy Christians—in these ancient Bible lands, Christians are dying at an alarming rate. Actually, the more accurate way of saying it is... Continue Reading →
To my post Did God Cause Kids to Die in Connecticut, some objected that it did not go far enough. Some believed that it was necessary to say that God actually caused the school shooting for the purpose of judging Americans for kicking God out of our schools. Yesterday, I demonstrated why that position is... Continue Reading →
Thank you for the responses to the post, Did God Cause the Connecticut Shootings. The responses came mostly through Facebook and other media. Some thought the article didn’t go far enough. Others thought it went too far. So, let’s consider the objections in these two directions. First we will consider the objection which says my... Continue Reading →
A brother in Christ recently asked, “Did God cause the Connecticut school shootings?” I am attempting to answer that question with this blog post because I imagine that question—or something similar to it—is on the minds of a lot of Christians. So, let me begin by clarifying some language. Clearly, God did not cause the... Continue Reading →
Yesterday, twenty kindergarten children were mercilessly murdered by an evil young man. Some have shouted, “Where is God?” in the face of this utterly unspeakable tragedy. A friend of mine posted a quick reply to the cynical inquisition: “Where is God? He was kicked out of schools in America years ago.” There is truth... Continue Reading →
My friend Denny Burk asked an incredibly insightful question: Why don’t we call it the royal fetus? The remark, of course, was in reference to Prince William and his lovely bride Kate Middleton, who are—as we used to say—“with child.” They are expecting. But what are they expecting? Well, they are not expecting... Continue Reading →
Andy Williams famously sang of December as “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” With the smooth, mellifluous tenor that also floated our emotions down “Moon River,” Andy Williams made December special, calling friends and family to unite around the gift-giving spirit ushered in originally by God Himself. Nowadays, Williams has passed on, and God... Continue Reading →
A costly mistake by the goalie at the end of their game against El Salvador cost the U.S. men’s soccer team the opportunity to play in the London Olympics. Because the Olympic team is made up of men under the age of 23, most of those on the team will never have an opportunity to... Continue Reading →
I own a coffee roaster and a small coffee roasting business. The secret to roasting great coffee is controlling the flame. The roaster uses real fire to heat a turning and churning stainless steel drum. As the drum turns and churns the coffee beans, the heat from the flames begins to warm the beans; then... Continue Reading →
I have been thinking through the section of my upcoming book on Christian persecution, and I am cataloging the different reasons which might explain why Christians in America are not suffering persecution. Here's the deal. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:12, do not be deceived, anyone who attempts to live a godly life in... Continue Reading →
I know Thanksgiving is over, and now it is Christmas. So, I am a little late saying, 'Thank-you." But I will make it up by offering you a present. The present probably won't be ready by Christmas, but you have my word that you will get it. I am in the process of publishing two... Continue Reading →
Another incident has erupted in Lahore, Pakistan, as Muslims have raided a Christian school complex and threatened Christians there with violence. The incident occurred after a local Muslim leader announced over the loudspeaker that Christians at the school were guilty of tearing pages from the Quran. Within minutes, a mob had attacked the school... Continue Reading →
Gregory C. Cochran 