The Bible is full of references to disease and disability more than 350 verses in 40 of the 66 books. Some references to disability are metaphors for something else. For example, Paul writes to the Corinthians: In their case

For Martin Luther, the issue of mans bondage to sin, and moral inability to believe or obey, was the root issue of the Reformation and the lynchpin of Protestantism.

Whatever else you do or say or feel, of this you can be certain: God wills that you rejoice in the hope of seeing his glory.

How are we supposed to understand and live out the paradoxes of Scripture?

Jason, by embracing the Bethlehem Bapitst Church Elder Affirmation of Faith, and by inviting Tom Schreiner and me to be part of your installation service, you have signaled your theological and ministerial lineage. The trademark of this lineage is expressed

If youre a Christian, you have only come to faith because God called you. And if he called you, then you can be sure that he has a very special love for you.

When the glory of Christ is partially obscured and the assurance of the soul is weakened, the costly, sacrificial labor of love is hindered.

Faith kills pride by forcing us to look away from ourselves to God to receive the gift of salvation that we could never earn on our own.

We will never fully comprehend or appreciate the fact that God has given us his own words in a book. John Piper gives us seven reasons to read the Bible every day.