Around 945 BC, King Solomon, in his later years, delivered what we now know as the book of Ecclesiastes. His opening words, repeated throughout, are jarring: “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity” (Ecc 1:2). These words reflect a lifetime o...

How do we, nearly 2,000 years after the apostles, know we are reading God’s inspired Word? This question once drove me to study how the Bible has been preserved across centuries of copying, translating, and human error. Growing up in a King Jam...

I once believed that God had preserved every word of Scripture through a perfect, error-free line of manuscripts, culminating in the King James Bible (KJV). But when I finally studied the history, my assumptions quickly unraveled. My first surp...

For believers, understanding how we got the Bible is essential. Yet, like many Christians, I once assumed the Bible’s path to us was simple and miraculous in a way that shielded it from human error. Twelve years ago, I held a King James-only vi...

When I began preparing a series of Christian biographies, I didn’t anticipate skipping ahead in time. Yet, I feel compelled to discuss someone who has personally spoken to me more than anyone else in church history: Charles Spurgeon.I st...

It can be difficult for us to grasp life in the medieval church, especially considering the lack of distinction between church and state. For instance, in Calvin’s birthplace of France, citizens were legally required to be Catholic. The church ...

John Calvin is one of those towering figures in Christian history that many feel they know, but digging deeper reveals much more. Like many, I first associated Calvin with the TULIP acronym representing Calvinist theology. But interestingly, Ca...

I counted how many Bibles my family owns. The total came to twenty-four. And that’s not even including the digital and audio versions. They’re bound in various materials, some small enough to fit in a pocket, others with wide margins for notes....

I began this series in Hebrews 12, where the author reminds us that we’re surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (Heb 12:1). These witnesses—the heroes of faith from Hebrews 11—motivate us to endure in our own race of faith. Their s...

Augustine’s struggle was not just intellectual or moral. It was a battle of the heart. He knew he should love God, and he even wanted to, but he loved his sin more. Augustine famously said, “I did not persist in enjoyment of my God.” That’s a p...

Hebrews 11:4 says of Abel, “Through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.” Similarly, the legacy of faith left by historical figures like Augustine of Hippo continues to speak to us. Born in AD 354 in what is now Algeria, Augustine lived ...

Athanasius. His name alone carries the weight of church history. Known as Athanasius contra mundum ("Athanasius against the world"), this 4th-century bishop from Alexandria stood firm in defending a single theological point that came d...

Last Sunday, we stood with Jesus before Pilate in John 18, a showdown of truth and power that sets the stage for every moment of courage that follows. This week, we’re transported to another courtroom in Acts 26, where the apostle Paul stands t...

Let’s talk about Peter. I think we all get why he drew his sword that night. The soldiers are coming for Jesus, and Peter thinks, Not on my watch. You can almost hear him muttering, "I’ll save you, Jesus!"—sword flailing, ear flying. P...

We return to Ephesians 6:18-20, focusing on the pivotal role of prayer in spiritual warfare. While Paul vividly illustrates each piece of the "armor of God," he leaves prayer without an analog—perhaps intentionally. Prayer is not merely an acce...

This episode takes an in-depth look at the phrase "take the helmet of salvation" from Ephesians 6:17. Though brief, these words carry profound significance for believers, especially when viewed in the broader context of the spiritual battles fa...

In this episode, we delve into the rich imagery and profound teachings of Ephesians 6:16, focusing on the "shield of faith." This discussion aims to deepen your understanding of spiritual warfare and how faith acts as a crucial defense against ...

How can we defend ourselves against the devil’s relentless attacks since he is so clever, subtle, and disguised? The apostle Paul answers, “Take up the whole armor of God.”

As it happens, the cure for a fractured heart is anything but law-keeping. According to James, the only cure is the gospel—that is, humbly receiving the grace of God.

We can readily see how James deals with two distinct issues in James 4:13-5:6, but pride and materialism tie them together.

We may consider ourselves God-pleasing people, but James says, “I see pride, double-mindedness, and a desperate need for repentance.” Thankfully, God gives greater grace.

If anything reveals our double-mindedness and fractured hearts, it is our tongues, speech, and the words we speak. There is a direct connection between the heart and the mouth.

The greatest danger is knowing about God, accepting Christ and his gospel intellectually, and identifying as a Christian without it transforming our lives.

Whether it’s a celebrity, winning the championship game, or the breathtaking view at the top of a mountain, our hearts are attracted to glory for better or worse.

James is trying to show us how to mend our divided hearts and lead us toward singular devotion to God. Where does that start? It starts with the word of God. Get full access to On Life & Scripture at