One of the most significant purposes of Christian higher education is spiritual formation. Formation involves, even necessitates, physical, embodied presence. You should move to campus if you can.

As you schedule your classes and begin your studies, hear from those who love you that we want you to know God. Whether you are attending a Christian college or not, this time in life is and should be a time of spiritual growth for you. You can know and treasure God in all your studies, not just in your Bible classes.

As a Pastor-Theologian, I believe that reading is an important part of our spiritual development. It can help us gain knowledge and understanding, as well as provide us with an opportunity to grow in our character. For this reason, I have compiled a list of books that I think every Christian could read. Not every book is written by a Christian author, but they all have something valuable to offer to each reader. Whether you are looking for a new perspective on or just want to explore different genres of writing, this list will provide you with plenty of options.

Why Practical Theology Should Be the Objective of Every Seminarian

“I have always conceived theology, ethics, and apologetics as truth for people, and have never felt free to leave unapplied any truth that I taught, whether orally or on paper; and to speak of the application of truth to life is to look at life as itself a relationship with God; and when one does that, one is talking spirituality.”

I wrote my dissertation on Charles Spurgeon as a pastor-theologian during the Downgrade Controversy (1887-1892). His life story is fascinating and encouraging, but it will take many articles to tell. May blessings abound in this summer Spurgeon series.

In Part 4, I cover his later ministry years and death. Spurgeon, though dead, still speaks. Pastor-theologians everywhere would do well to listen.

I wrote my dissertation on Charles Spurgeon as a pastor-theologian during the Downgrade Controversy (1887-1892). His life story is fascinating and encouraging, but it will take many articles to tell. May blessings abound in this summer Spurgeon series.

In Part 3 I cover his rapidly maturing ministry at New Park Street, the building of the Metropolitan Tabernacle, his philanthropic efforts, and publishing prowess.

I wrote my dissertation on Charles Spurgeon as a pastor-theologian during the Downgrade Controversy (1887-1892). His life story is fascinating and encouraging, but it will take many articles to tell. May blessings abound in this summer Spurgeon series.

In Part 2 I cover his modest education, and early opportunities for ministry. About his first sermon he noted, “I walked along quietly, lifting up my soul to God, and it seemed to me that I could surely tell a few poor cottagers of the sweetness and love of Jesus, for I felt them in my own soul. Praying for divine help, I resolved to make my attempt.”

I wrote my dissertation on Charles Spurgeon as a pastor-theologian during the Downgrade Controversy (1887-1892). His life story is fascinating and encouraging, but it will take many articles to tell. May blessings abound in this summer Spurgeon series.

This article aims to heighten theological awareness of the doctrine of adoption and explain its practical benefits in the church. I contend that a proper understanding and application of the doctrine of adoption is fundamental to Christian flourishing within the kingdom of Christ.

Weary though we may be of lawbreaking and violence, is the avoidance of the world around us the proper stance for the church of Jesus Christ?

Many churchgoing people assume that once a student begins the process of Christian higher learning, he will be more concerned with higher education than Christ. His passion for the gospel will be replaced with arrogant, theologically liberal academia. This assumption results from a bias against Christian scholarship and a consensus, either consciously or subconsciously, that it simply doesn’t matter.

One hundred thirty years later, we are still talking about Charles Spurgeon. We should be. A man devoted to Calvinistic theology, Christo-centric preaching, competent public engagement, and robust pastoral training is a good model for us all.

How is it that sanctification progresses? What are the means God uses to bring about the goal of spiritual maturity and holiness? Several answers could be offered to these questions. However, the means of progressive sanctification and spiritual maturity will be limited here to three categories: the Holy Spirit, the Word, and the church.

Spiritual maturity affects every area of the Christian life. It is not merely an intellectual or academic pursuit, nor is it simply an emotional, ethereal experience. It is not about legalistically doing better, doing more, and achieving the status of maturity on one’s own efforts. Rather, spiritual maturity occurs in whole-personed progressive sanctification toward holiness.

Five resources to help navigate technology and social media according to the Christian worldview.

Sanctification must be progressing. All believers should be maturing spiritually. If we’re all adolescents now, we shouldn’t be.

Five resources to help navigate technology and social media according to the Christian worldview.

Five resources to help navigate technology and social media according to the Christian worldview.

I'm not arguing that Christianity Today shouldn't have done the Cosper podcast. There are certainly lessons to learn. But in gleaning those lessons, we mustn't forget the people who still serve that local church.

Sanctification must be progressing. All believers should be maturing spiritually. If we’re all adolescents now, we shouldn’t be.