Christian Living / Spiritual Growth

  • Human Trafficking in God’s World by Justin Holcomb

    FROM TABLETALK | May 2011

    Genesis 3 records the terrible day when humanity fell into sin and shalom was violated. This was a moment of cosmic treason, when Adam and Eve violated their relationship with God by rebelling against His command and fell into the …Read More

  • Christian Exiles by John Piper

    FROM TABLETALK | May 2011

    In a profound sense, this world is not our home. When we are away from our bodies we will be “at home with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8). We are not to be “conformed to this age” (Rom. 12 …Read More

  • Everlasting Love by John Cobb

    FROM TABLETALK | April 2011

    We are told in 1 Corinthians 13 that anything done without love is worthless, that “love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things”, and that “love never ends” (vv. 4–7). Love will never be …Read More

  • The Gospel and Worship by Donald Whitney

    FROM TABLETALK | April 2011

    There may be nothing in the realm of religion by whic h people vainly attempt to establish their acc eptability to God more than by acts of public or private worship. As a result, worship can degrade into one of …Read More

  • Killing Anger by John Piper

    FROM TABLETALK | April 2011

    In marriage, anger rivals lust as a killer. My guess is that anger is a worse enemy than lust. It also destroys other kinds of camaraderie. Some people have more anger than they think, because it has disguises. When willpower …Read More

  • The Victory Parade We Don’t Deserve by R.C. Sproul Jr.

    FROM TABLETALK | April 2011

    Though I didn’t think such was possible, my esteem for both my father and the Bible took a rather sudden spike. I was blessed to be sitting in a seminary class, while he stood, teaching. He mentioned, almost in …Read More

  • The Gospel and Prayer by Donald Whitney

    FROM TABLETALK | March 2011

    Because I teach and write about spirituality, occasionally I’m asked to comment on scientific studies about the efficacy of prayer. The research always seems to include the assumption that one person’s prayers are essentially as acceptable as another …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

  • Motive Power by R.C. Sproul Jr.

    FROM TABLETALK | March 2011

    I’m on a diet. Oops. I’m not on a diet. I’m on a lifestyle change. This has led me to become acquainted with any number of new friends on my plate. I had, until now, heard of …Read More

  • Listening Before Answering by John Piper

    FROM TABLETALK | March 2011

    “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame” (Prov. 18:13). It is arrogant to answer before you hear. Humility does not presume that it knows precisely what a person is asking until the …Read More

  • Knowledge and Maturity by Kevin DeYoung

    FROM TABLETALK | February 2011

    All else being equal, I’d rather have a mature Christian with simple theological knowledge than an extremely knowledgeable, well -read Christian without a lot of maturity. But, of course, neither situation is desirable. Let me explain. A Tale of …Read More

  • Seeing the Gospel in the Word of God by Donald Whitney

    FROM TABLETALK | February 2011

    Surely no one reading this article needs to be convinced of the importance of feeding upon the Word of God. As Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of …Read More

  • Cynicism by John Sartelle

    FROM TABLETALK | February 2011

    Dear Shadow Guide, The enemy may now lay claim to your quarry, but he is still of great value to our cause. Our adversary, whom he now calls Lord, is not a realist. Idealism is the weakness of His kingdom …Read More

  • Anxiety by Chris Larson

    FROM TABLETALK | February 2011

    Dearest Oriax, What?! You’re worried because your subject is worried? You seem to think that his fretful concern and persistent questioning will lead him to find answers with the enemy. Let us reassure you that such is rarely the …Read More

  • Resisting the Devil by Burk Parsons

    FROM TABLETALK | February 2011

    The nineteenth century French poet Charles Baudelaire wrote that “the devil’s best trick is to persuade you that he doesn’t exist.” In the providence of God, the Devil has been quite successful in persuading his followers that he …Read More