Many Bible teachers see in Elijah a clear example of depression, so let's take some time to briefly examine the key passage that indicates his struggle with it. This passage details the events that followed Elijah's great victory over the prophets of Baal and Asherah: NKJ 1 Kings 19:1-3 “And Ahab told Jezebel all … Continue reading Toward a Biblical Perspective on Depression: Case Study #5
Toward a Biblical Perspective on Depression: Case Study #4
There are many examples of depression from the life of David, who may have had a tendency toward depression that many of God's children have experienced over the years. Many of his psalms deal with this very issue in one way or another, but we will limit our focus to just two of them. NKJ … Continue reading Toward a Biblical Perspective on Depression: Case Study #4
Toward a Biblical Perspective on Depression: Case Study #3
There are perhaps several examples from the life of Moses that we could examine, but one clear instance of depression in his life can be found in Numbers 11, which relates the account of the Israelites complaining about having to eat manna every day: NKJ Numbers 11:10-15 “Then Moses heard the people weeping throughout their … Continue reading Toward a Biblical Perspective on Depression: Case Study #3
Toward a Biblical Perspective on Depression: Case Study #2
In our first case study, we saw that depression can be the result of unresolved sin, but in this case study we will see an example of depression that doesn't stem from sin, even though it leads to sin. In fact, we will see that even the most righteous man on the earth in his … Continue reading Toward a Biblical Perspective on Depression: Case Study #2
Toward a Biblical Perspective on Depression: Case Study #1
Cain may be the first clear example of depression in the Bible. Although Adam and Eve may well have been depressed after they sinned and then after they were driven from the Garden of Eden, the text does not explicitly address it. But it is clear that Cain was depressed, for God spoke to him … Continue reading Toward a Biblical Perspective on Depression: Case Study #1
Toward a Biblical Perspective on Depression: Introduction
Regular readers of this blog will know that I have personally battled depression in my own life (see How the Lord Shepherded Me Through My Wife's Battle With Ovarian Cancer). In fact, I struggled with this issue throughout my childhood and into my adult years until I finally found victory in Christ. But I have … Continue reading Toward a Biblical Perspective on Depression: Introduction
How the Lord Shepherded Me Through My Wife’s Battle With Ovarian Cancer (Reposted)
In celebration of my wife's third year full of being cancer free, I am posting again the article I wrote about how God saw us through that difficult trial. Of course, the focus here is on my own struggle as her husband, but the article communicates a theology of God's sovereignty over suffering and trials that … Continue reading How the Lord Shepherded Me Through My Wife’s Battle With Ovarian Cancer (Reposted)
Formal Church Membership: A Good and Necessary Inference
Over the past twenty or so years in pastoral ministry, I have begun to notice more and more a trend away from stressing any kind of formal church membership in local churches. And I have been increasingly hearing the objection that there just isn't any support for such a concept in Scripture. The idea of … Continue reading Formal Church Membership: A Good and Necessary Inference
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About the Reformed Baptist View of Baptism
Stan Reeves, an elder at Grace Heritage Church in Auburn, Alabama, has written a helpful paper entitled FAQ on the Reformed Baptist View of Baptism. He offers brief, clear answers to a number of common questions about how we understand baptism according to Scripture. Here is the list of commonly asked questions for which he seeks … Continue reading Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About the Reformed Baptist View of Baptism
The Fatal Flaw of the Theology Behind Infant Baptism
Longtime readers of the blog may recall a previous post entitled The Three Best Books in Defense of Believer's Baptism. Well, now The Fatal Flaw of the Theology Behind Infant Baptism by Jeffrey D. Johnson will top that list. In fact, together with Fred Malone's book The Baptism of Disciples Alone: A Covenantal Argument for Credobaptism Versus … Continue reading The Fatal Flaw of the Theology Behind Infant Baptism