Author: Administrador

O Be Not Mere Shadows, Echoes, and Residue October 5, 1999 We are not God. So by comparison to ultimate, absolute Reality, we are not much. Our existence is secondary and dependent on the absolute Reality of God. He is the only Given in the universe. We are derivative. He always was and had no … Continue reading “11 O BE NOT MERE SHADOWS, ECHOES AND RESIDUE”

A Response to Richard Mouw's Treatment of Christian Hedonism in The God Who Commands May 28, 1993 The irony of this interchange is that I love Richard Mouw's focus on "divine command ethics" which makes God the basic criterion of all morality. More amazing than that, I even see Christian Hedonism as one way of … Continue reading “07 RESPONSE TO TREATMENT OF CHRISTIAN HEDONISM”

How Shall We Fight for Joy? 1. Realize that authentic joy in God is a gift. 2. Realize that joy must be fought for relentlessly. 3. Resolve to attack all known sin in your life. 4. Learn the secret of gutsy guilt – how to fight like a justified sinner. 5. Realize that the battle … Continue reading “08 HOW SHALL WE FIGHT FOR JOY?”

Can Joy Increase Forever? May 5, 1998 Jonathan Edwards knows heaven perhaps even better than hell. Which is saying a lot in view of his reputation as one who knows hell well. I have believed this for some time because of reading his sermons on heaven (for example, "The Portion of the Righteous," "The Pure … Continue reading “09 CAN JOY INCREASE FOREVER?”

Desiring God The Pursuit of Joy in Life and Ministry Table of Contents The Mission Statement of Bethlehem Baptist Church Introduction and Background A Summary of Christian Hedonism in Five Statements The Foundation of Christian Hedonism The Essence of Christian Hedonism The Grand Obligation How Then Shall We Fight for Joy? 1 The Mission Statement … Continue reading “05 DESIRING GOD TBI BOOKLET”

Christian Hedonism Forgive the Label, But Don't Miss the Truth If you must, forgive me for the label. But don't miss the truth because you don't like my tag. My shortest summary of it is: God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. Or: The chief end of man is … Continue reading “06 FORGIVE THE LABEL, BUT DON'T MISS THE TRUTH”

Loving God for Who He Is: A Pastor's Perspective One of the most important discoveries I have ever made is this truth: God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in him. This is the motor that drives my ministry as a pastor. It affects everything I do. Whether I eat or … Continue reading “03 LOVING GOD FOR WHO HE IS: PASTOR'S PERSPECTIVE”

Was Jonathan Edwards a Christian Hedonist? September 29, 1987 I begin with a definition of Christian Hedonism and an explanation of why it matters (at least to me) what Jonathan Edwards thought about it. What is Christian Hedonism? Christian Hedonism teaches that all true virtue must have in it a certain gladness of heart. Therefore … Continue reading “04 WAS JONATHAN EDWARDS A CHRISTIAN HEDONIST?”

We Want You To Be A Christian Hedonist! A "Christian Hedonist" sounds like a contradiction, doesn't it? If the term makes you squirm, we understand. But don't throw this paper away just yet. We're not heretics (really!). Nor have we invented another prosperity-obsessed theology by twisting the Bible to sanctify our greed or lust. We … Continue reading “01 SUMMARY OF CHRISTIAN HEDONISM”

Quest for Joy Six Biblical Truths Did you know that God commands us to be glad? "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psa_37:4) 1) God created us for his glory "Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth,… whom I … Continue reading “02 QUEST FOR JOY”