I am convinced that the really great issues before us
will be settled on our knees.
– D.A. Carson
Tag: D. A. Carson
RHMA Take Home Thoughts, Part 3
At the RHMA conference, D. A. Carson gave a two part seminar on “How To Think Wisely about Suffering and Evil.” I wish you could have heard the entire thing. What follows doesn’t begin to give the topic or seminar justice, but are simply some points that stood out to me:
- We all sin, so we all deserve to suffer.
- Suffering is short compared to eternity (at least for those in Christ).
- We can’t grasp God’s plan; we need to trust him.
- Our suffering may be God’s providential discipline (Hebrews 12:3-11).
- God brings good things out of bad things (think Joseph in Egypt).
- When you doubt God’s goodness, go back to the manger and the cross and see his love.
- Christians have been granted to believe and suffer (Philippians 1:29).
RHMA Take-Home Thoughts, Part 1
Over a week ago I promised to share some highlights from the RHMA conference I attended. The conference is for pastors/wives of small town and country churches. One of the main speakers this year was D. A. Carson. A few thoughts from his two main sessions for reflection:
- Jesus was not held to the cross by the nails but because he desired to do God’s will. Likewise, we must not sin because we desire to do God’s will.
- Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” so we would never have to make that cry. He was forsaken in our place.
- Though least in the kingdom, we are greater than John because we can better point others to Jesus, especially to his death and resurrection that brings salvation. In other words, the Christian criteria for greatness are radically tied to proclamation and witness. What makes us great is that we can point others to Jesus.
Brian J. Mikul 