This sponsored post features a video by Rebecca McLaughlin, author of Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World’s Largest Religion (Crossway). The Meaning of Metaphor The first thing I would say to someone who asks me, “How could I take the Bible literally?” is “Have you ever had your heart broken?” Now if they’re over the age of fifteen, their answer will almost certainly be *yes*. And then I would ask them to examine what they meant when they …

This sponsored post is written by Joel R. Beeke and Paul M. Smalley, authors of Reformed Systematic Theology: Volume 1: Revelation and God (Crossway). Read with Reverence While the Bible is written in human language, we must never treat it “as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe” (1 Thess. 2:13). This truth calls us to do theology with profound reverence for the God who …

This week the blog is sponsored by The Good Book Company. Calvinism is a beautiful thing—when we Calvinists don’t ruin it. For too long Calvinism has been linked to arrogant, fiery, and argumentative Calvinists who seem like the only cure for their cruelty is time in a steel cage. Diagnosis? A Cage-Stage Calvinist. A Cage-Stage Calvinist is someone who has learned TULIP—the five points of Calvinism—and goes on a relational rampage. They attack, bludgeon, and judge their brothers and sisters …

This post is written by Paul M. Gould, author of Cultural Apologetics, a new book, video lecture series, and course, and is sponsored by Zondervan Academic. The dominant way of perceiving today can be described as disenchanted. For many, the world is not seen in its proper light. We think the world is ordinary, or every day, or mundane. But this is not what the world is actually like. In reality, the world is deeply beautiful. It is mysterious. It …

This week the sponsored post is proved by Baker Books and is adapted from Matthew Barrett’s new book None Greater: The Undomesticated Attributes of God. Matthew Barrett is the author of None Greater: The Undomesticated Attributes of God. He is associate professor of Christian theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and executive editor of Credo Magazine, where he hosts the Credo podcast. You can follow him @mattmbarrett. Have you ever read a book that completely changed your life? Way back in …

This sponsored post is by Bryan Chapell, general editor of The ESV Gospel Transformation Study Bible (Crossway). 4 Approaches to Understanding the Redemptive Nature of Scripture All of Scripture Bears Witness We should be very willing to learn the principles of redemptive interpretation that the New Testament writers employed and exemplified. From these principles, we learn that the more common approach to understanding the redemptive nature of all biblical texts is to identify how God’s Word predicts, prepares for, reflects, …

This week the blog is sponsored by Crossway and is written by Sam Allberry. One of the most remarkable promises Jesus ever made is also one of the least known. In Mark 10 we have the encounter between Jesus and the rich young man. The latter is seemingly full of potential for being a really great disciple but turns out to be unwilling to leave behind what Jesus requires him to. And so he leaves sorrowful. It’s all very poignant. …

This week the blog is sponsored by Logos. Shop before February 7 to get a discount on Logos 8. Sign in to see your discount. The countdown has begun: the Logos 8 launch discount officially ends in a week. You could save 10–40% depending on what you own, so visit Logos.com to see your discount. But hurry, the price goes up on February 8. In case you missed it, here’s an overview of what’s new to Logos 8: Step-by-step instructions …

This sponsored posted was written by Matthew J. Hall the dean of Boyce College, the undergraduate school of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (and, as it happens, the college my son attends). Boyce is committed to providing a biblical worldview for every student in every degree program. They’re expanding their degree offerings and just announced a new BS in Communication. To learn more about Boyce College, consider attending Preview Day on March 22. Use code Challies and they’ll waive your registration …

This week the blog is sponsored by the Biblical Counseling Training Conference. Would you like to improve the effectiveness of your ministry? Would you like to improve your ability to help a hurting person using your Bible? This February 10-15, 2019 in Lafayette, Indiana we are hosting the annual Biblical Counseling Training Conference. Since 1985, we have been equipping ministry professionals and lay leaders to skillfully, confidently, and lovingly minister God’s Word to those looking for answers. In 2018 almost …