Dr Paul Allen

We live in a time when "tolerance," "diversity" and "inclusivism" are considered by many cultural virtues that supersede all others. This popular relativist notion disregards something far more important: Truth.  We live in a time when "tolerance," "diversity" and "inclusivity" are considered by many to be cultural virtues that supersede all others. This popular relativist notion disregards something far more important: Truth. Yet, and to borrow from Pontius Pilate , " What is truth? " Jesus is truth. Either that or, as C.S. Lewis famously observed, He is a liar, a lunatic or the "Devil of Hell" himself. Christ was both tolerant and intolerant—utterly exclusive and wholly inclusive. He said in no uncertain terms: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" ( John 14:6 ). Let's break that down. The Way Jesus asserted over and again tha

English: Damian. "Jesus Christ and St. John the Apostle". A detail of the Last Supper fresco from Ubisi, Georgia (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) A few weeks ago I wrote a short piece entitled  How Do I Know I’m a Christian?  The post flowed from a semester of preaching through 1 John . Like John Stott (and others), I see 1 John as a letter about assurance, a brief book in which the Apostle John outlines (over and over) three signs that confirm what John already knows: namely, that the recipients of his epistles are beloved children of God. The first sign is theological. You should have confidence if you believe in Jesus Christ the Son of God (5:11-13). The second sign is moral. You should have confidence if you live a righteous life (3:6-9). The third sign is social. You should have confidence if you love other Christians (3:14). There is nothing original about these points. Stott calls the three signs “belief” or “the doctrinal test,” “obedience” or “the moral