Josephus does not tell us that Christianity is true, and Christians do not need Josephus to tell them that Christ is risen. But Christianity makes claims about things that happened in public history under identifiable rulers, priests, and governors. For that reason, testimony from outside the church matters.
Today, the longing for cultural Christianity on both the left and the right hearkens back to an older version of Christendom that was a mixed blessing for the church in the western world. The cultural mediation of Christian views on created order has certainly benefitted the civilization we’ve inherited. But the gospel itself isn’t something that can be reduced to cultural mediation either. Instead, the gospel as a message stands apart from all human accomplishments and achievements, no matter how beneficial they might be.
The student of Scripture should always have a map open next to their Bible as they read. If possible, they should also travel to Israel, not to make a pilgrimage, but to see the context of the land in which these stories took place. These are not fairy tales made up about fictional fantasy lands; these are stories about real people in real places interacting with a real God.

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It would serve us well to embrace the beauty of our diversity within the unity of the body of Christ.
Jesus reveals to them again who He is. And that life can only be given when we feed on Christ.
What does professional wrestling and preaching have in common?
Do our petitions move God?
Epiphany—is for the Gentiles, those who were once not God’s people, but who now, by the grace of God in Christ have become the people of God
What (if anything) makes a sermon distinctive?
Amy Mantravadi shares about the importance and influlnce of Martin Chemitz in the predestination controversy.
How’s your ticker?
When you see the year ending, thank the Lord, because he had led you into this cycle of years.
The Jews were living the script for a Western movie when Jesus showed up. The enemies of God were running the town
Yes, Christmas brings joy, but no less danger
This feast is the Gospel, “the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.”