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Discipleship in 21st Century Boston In Chapter 19 of Holiness, Ryle urges Christians to be like the tribe of Issachar, who had “understanding of the times” (1 Chronicles 12:32). Ryle says, “all ages have their own peculiar dangers for professing Christians, and all consequently demand special attention to peculiar duties” (Ryle 392). He was talking about 19th-century England. What about 21st-century Boston? What would be a peculiar danger for professing Christians in our context?...

Slides can be accessed here The Life and Legacy of St. Augustine: A Journey from Wayward Youth to Spiritual Giant Today we reflect on the life of St. Augustine, one of the most influential figures in Christian history. Perhaps you’ve heard of his famous conversion story or meditated on some of his thought-provoking quotes. Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the blessing of reading about his life, and I hope his story can instruct and inspire us as well....

Subtle Pride How does pride manifest itself? Is it always chest-beating, chin-raising bravado and swagger, like those energetic UFC entrances into the octagon? No, there is a more insidious form that exists in the guise of self-deprecation, where individuals belittle themselves to elicit sympathy, reassurance, and pleasant contradictions from others. In my high school years, I encountered this subtler form of pride among my peers who, despite being academic overachievers, continually lamented their shortcomings....

A Christless Heaven In Chapter 16 of Holiness, Ryle explains that “to be without Christ is to be without heaven” (Ryle 346). Not only does this mean that without Christ no one can enter into heaven, but it also means that a heaven devoid of Christ or God would cease to be heaven at all. He justifies this claim by thoughtfully pointing to the descriptions of heaven in Revelation that are all centered around the Lamb of Christ: the throne, the light, the temple, and the supper (Revelation 5:6; 22:3, 21:22; 19:9)....

Confession Exodus 20:7 You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. At first glance, the third commandment seems straightforward: don’t use God’s name carelessly or irreverently. But its reach goes further: our conduct can also take His name in vain. Think about it this way: if I’m a student at a prestigious university and get caught in scandalous behavior, I damage the reputation of my school....