Why we educate...

"They [universities] are not intended to teach the knowledge required to fit men for some special mode of gaining a livelihood. Their object is not to make skilful lawyers or physicians, but capable and cultivated human beings… Education makes a man a more intelligent shoemaker, but not by teaching him how to make shoes."

– John Stuart Mills discussing the purpose of universities when becoming the rector of St. Andrews University in 1867

(Quote liftted from New Saint Andrews College)

Joshua 3: Holy God, Faithful God

Holiness matters... God's holiness, and our holiness. In Joshua 3, I examine the Holiness of God as represented by the "Ark of the Covenant of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth" (Jos 3:13). Because He is a Holy God, He can be wholly trusted. Because He is a Holy God, we need to be a holy people. And, because He is a merciful and good God, we can become a holy people---not by the imperfect process of blood sprinkled on the Mercy Seat of the Ark, but by the perfect process of Christ's blood shed for us.

Joshua 2: Faith in the City

Last Sunday, I preached the second message of a series on the book of Joshua. Rahab, the prostitute from Jericho, is perhaps one of the most remarkable Old Testament persons of faith. She is noted for her faith in the famous Hebrews "chapter of faith" and she is compared to Abraham in the book of James. She is also prominent in the genealogies of both King David and Jesus Christ.

In a pagan city opposed to God, while embroiled in a licentious lifestyle, it is truly remarkable that she acted so courageously on her faith in a relatively "unknown" and "foriegn" God. She heard about God, who He is, what He has done and what He promises to do. Consequently, she became not only a "hearer of God's word", but also an "effectual doer". What made her a woman of faith? Why did she choose to be on the Lord's side?

What can we learn from Rahab to teach us how to live out our faith here and now; how can we, like Rahab, not only believe what God says, but also act on what God says?