I’m two weeks into a new sermon series on Galatians that I’ve entitled Free at Last. And I dare say that there is no other commentary on Galatians that is better or more important than Martin Luther’s. Galatians, according to Luther, is the “Magna Carta of Christian Freedom.” It is, he said, “my Katharina von [...]
Author Archives: Tullian Tchividjian
What Kind Of A Pastor Do Sinners Need?
January 31, 2012 – 10:56 pm
Sinclair Ferguson answers this question from his Marrow Controversy Lectures: But when your people come and have been broken by sin and have fallen into temptation and are ashamed to confess the awful mess they have made of their life, it is not a Calvinistic pastor who has been sanctified by vinegar that they need. [...]
Are Christians Totally Depraved?
January 27, 2012 – 9:03 am
Believe it or not, this is an important question. It’s not simply a theological question. It’s a theological question that has profound practical implications. Our answer will inevitably reveal our understanding of the gospel and reflect our understanding of sin and grace. First things first: what total depravity isn’t. Total depravity does not mean “utter [...]
What Is Grace?
January 23, 2012 – 9:06 am
Paul Zahl: What is grace? Grace is love that seeks you out when you have nothing to give in return. Grace is love coming at you that has nothing to do with you. Grace is being loved when you are unlovable. The cliché definition of grace is “unconditional love.” It is a true cliché, for [...]
What Does It Mean To Please God?
January 18, 2012 – 9:25 am
Rick Thomas writes an insightful piece entitled “The Danger of Trying to Please God.” The counselor in this story sounds way too much like the way many of us preachers preach: Sandra has struggled all her life with people pleasing. She said she could not remember a time when she was free from thinking about [...]
Religion And The Gospel
January 14, 2012 – 12:36 pm
A lot of attention has been paid to Jefferson Bethke’s video Why I Hate Religion But Love Jesus. Jefferson is a great, humble, teachable brother who loves the gospel. But the response to his video has been varied. Many love it. Others hate it. And still others have raised a caution flag–uncomfortable with the way [...]
The Subjective Power Of An Objective Gospel
January 13, 2012 – 8:49 am
I posted this article from my friend David Zahl (Mockingbird) back in June but read through it again this morning and was freshly edified. I hope you are too. His third paragraph is especially helpful in light of the discussion regarding the ultimate ground of our assurance (a subject I addressed here a few days [...]
Where Can I Find Assurance?
January 9, 2012 – 9:17 am
A month or so ago I made the point in this post that confidence in my transformation is not the source of my assurance. Rather, the source of my assurance comes from faith in Christ’s substitution. Assurance never comes from looking at ourselves. It only comes as a consequence of looking to Christ. As a [...]
Might As Well Face It, You’re Addicted To Law
January 5, 2012 – 11:59 am
I’ll never forget hearing Dr. Doug Kelly (one of my theology professors in seminary) saying in class, “If you want to make people mad, preach law. If you want to make them really, really mad preach grace.” I didn’t know what he meant then. But I do now. The law offends us because it tells [...]
This Is The Year?
January 1, 2012 – 1:03 am
Today is the very first day of a brand new year. And for many that means a fresh start. This is the year. It all starts now. We resolve to turn over a new leaf–and this time we’re serious. This time we’re really going to try, we’re not going to quit. We promise ourselves that [...]
