Spiritual Growth / Sanctification and Growth

  • At Least I’m Honest by R.C. Sproul Jr.

    FROM TABLETALK | May 2008

    Every culture and subculture has its own taboos. Not all of them are the same, however. Given that we are all human, how can we explain the divergence of cultural standards? Why is it that one culture will find adultery …Read More

  • Vanity Fair by Derek Thomas

    FROM TABLETALK | January 2006

    For John Bunyan, a Puritan to his fingertips, the Christian life was an experience of conflict and tension with this world. Imprisoned for upwards of twelve years, he experienced firsthand the world’s hostility. Cheerful and sanguine by temperament, his …Read More

  • Following Christ by Mark Dever

    FROM TABLETALK | May 2005

    Have you ever been tempted to surrender control of your life to any of Christ’s enemies? May 30 is Memorial Day in the United States. This month we remember those who’ve fought to establish and defend the freedoms …Read More

  • Sloth & Diligence by Ken Jones

    FROM TABLETALK | May 2008

    When one thinks of the enduring legacy of the sixteenth-century Protestant Reformation, there are a number of things that come to mind — things like justification by faith alone, in Christ alone, according to God’s Word alone, and for His …Read More

  • Fire and Rain by R.C. Sproul Jr.

    FROM TABLETALK | January 2007

    I can’t help but love my doctor. Any man who commits himself to serving those suffering from cancer probably has a large heart himself. He was a gracious help to my wife a few years ago, and he was …Read More

  • The Lost Art of Discernment

    FROM TABLETALK | May 2006

    The publication of The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown has highlighted a great need in our generation. That such a poorly written work of fiction containing, as it does, such invention, distortion, and deliberate deception should cause mature Christian …Read More

  • Progress Redefined by Burk Parsons

    FROM TABLETALK | January 2006

    The world measures success in terms of that which is tangible — by what is bigger, faster, and by what draws the most attention. For many people, success is defined solely by numbers and circumstantial outcomes. True success, however, cannot be …Read More

  • Greed & Liberality by Jonathan Leeman

    FROM TABLETALK | May 2008

    My guess is that you can’t guess who the fastest growing debtors in America are. According to the Wall Street Journal (1/19/07, W2), it’s the super rich — not to be confused with the obscenely rich.  The …Read More

  • The Constancy of a Pilgrim’s Life by Ligon Duncan

    FROM TABLETALK | January 2006

    It has been said that one hallmark of the Puritan view of the Christian life was the emphasis placed on being “constant” (or being steady and unchanging). Remember how John Bunyan puts the challenge to us to learn from the …Read More

  • Gluttony & Temperance by Chris Donato

    FROM TABLETALK | May 2008

    Two mistakes accompany most discussions on gluttony. The first is that it only pertains to those with a less than shapely waistline; the second is that it always involves food. In reality, it can apply to toys, television, entertainment, sex …Read More

  • The Power of His Glory by R.C. Sproul Jr.

    FROM TABLETALK | January 2006

    You want to know what your problem is? You don’t love Jesus enough. I know this not because I know you, but because I know me. I’ve got the same problem. My wife has the same problem, as …Read More

  • Lighting the Way: The Didactic Use of the Law by Robert Letham

    FROM TABLETALK | March 2011

    In Reformed theology, the law has been seen as the guide for believers in the conduct of their lives. John Calvin described this as its principal use. In this sense, we are talking about the Decalogue — the Ten Commandments — and …Read More

  • The Best-Laid Plans by R.C. Sproul Jr.

    FROM TABLETALK | January 2009

    To suggest that wisdom is always balanced seems to me to be a bit, well, unbalanced. Whoever first uttered the words of wisdom, “moderation in all things,” should, I believe, have healed himself. All things? Isn’t that a bit …Read More

  • Envy & Kindness by Carol Ruvolo

    FROM TABLETALK | May 2008

    Take out a sheet of paper and number from one to seven. Now list the seven deadly sins in what you would say is their order of badness. Did you put envy last? Does it seem “less bad” to you …Read More

  • Wrath & Patience by Robert Carver

    FROM TABLETALK | May 2008

    Jesus told a parable about a king who wished to settle accounts with His servants (Matt. 18:23–35). A certain servant was brought to the king with a debt that was virtually incalculable and realistically unpayable. Facing the prospect …Read More