Author Archives: St. John Studies

I am going to write a statement that is extremely elementary. Man struggles with the problem of sinning. Yet in Chapter Four of John Stott’s book, the title is “The Problem of Forgiveness,” which explores man’s sinning from God’s perspective.  … Continue reading →

It was 1971 and I was enrolled at college.  I was an impressionable, inquisitive young guy from a rural upbringing, seeking an education and enjoying exploring ideas that were new to me.  My college had a movie theater where they … Continue reading →

Chapter Four of John Stott’s book The Cross of Christ is entitled “The Problem of Forgiveness” and the emphasis should be placed on the word problem.  He begins his chapter setting up his main discussion points and states in his … Continue reading →

“I have done wrong!” “This is my fault!” “I have sinned!” These are statements that  someone says when they are trying to take responsibility for their bad acts.  I don’t like to make general comments but…[here comes one]…today many people … Continue reading →

Chapter Three of John Stott’s The Cross of Christ* promises a “look below the surface,” in fact that is what he entitles his chapter.  As we leave Basic Christianity and return to The Cross, we recall the previous in-depth discussions … Continue reading →

How do we come to believe what we believe? I spent my teaching career instructing people about how to communicate better.  My favorite class to teach was a course entitled interpersonal communication, which is the study of how humans talk … Continue reading →

Let’s imagine that it seems like everything in your life is falling apart.  You literally embody the phrase “I am at the end of myself,” meaning that you have lost control and you can see no bright future ahead.  At … Continue reading →

Trying to establish that Jesus Christ was a “self-centered Messiah may be a “stretch” for many Christians  because so much of Jesus’ teaching centers around living a humble life.*  Yet in the previous post entitled “Jesus Christ, the Self-centered Messiah” … Continue reading →

Self-centered: “concerned solely with one’s own desires, needs, or interests.” In his book Basic Christianity* John Stott attempts to provide evidence that Jesus Christ is God.  His contention is that if someone seeking a foundation for Christianity cannot believe that … Continue reading →

Recently I have had some serious questions about my Christian faith.*  I was “born again” in 1998 in the midst of personal upheaval.  I found God in that upheaval.  I have referenced that many times in this blog so let’s … Continue reading →