The Thinking Christian – November/December 2024 FrontLine
The Thinking Christian: Biblical Wisdom in an Emotionally Driven World
FRONTLINE Volume 34 • Number 6
From my earliest memories, Thanksgiving and Christmas have been some of the most delightful moments of my life. I must immediately thank my godly parents for being the wellspring of that delight. I love Christmas! I suspect that when most of us contemplate the incarnation of Christ, we think about truths like the miracle of the virgin birth, the promised Redeemer of Israel and Light to the Gentiles, and the glory attributed to God by the heavenly host. We don’t immediately think of the topic of these articles in this edition of FrontLine. Yet I find it most appropriate to consider wisdom and discernment at this season since Christ is identified in the Scriptures as “the power of God, and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:24). And that wisdom is the source of the believer’s redemption, righteousness, and sanctification (1 Cor. 1:30). So it is appropriate for us to contemplate and rejoice in the wisdom of God during this season.
Paul affirms the significance of our topic when he prays for the saints in Philippi. “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment [the ability to perceive and discern]; that ye may approve [a testing process] things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere [to be judged and found pure and genuine] and without offence till the day of Christ. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God” (Phil. 1:9–11). In writing to the Colossians, he mentions, “we . . . do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Col. 1:9–10). May God find in each of us a life lived faithfully— in season and out of season—in His wisdom!
If you are reading this article first, let me commend you for your discernment! (If you did not read it first, hopefully you have discovered from your reading the good order I am about to encourage.) Just as biblical wisdom and discernment keeps one’s life in good order, rather than out of order, let me encourage you as the reader to work through the articles from front to back, first to last. The material is built in an orderly fashion from foundation to application, so you won’t miss a step when ascending through this study of wisdom and discernment. This world, under its evil prince, is working desperately to keep lives out of God’s good order. May we be ones who love our Lord’s good order of things and who learn wisdom and discernment from His Word to keep our lives in His good order.
Dave Anderson has the privilege of serving as president at Maranatha Baptist University in Watertown, Wisconsin. God has graciously given him a quiver filled with six children and six grandchildren; a loving wife, Abi, who puts up with Dave’s antics; and a funny Clumber Spaniel named Quincy who thinks Dave is the Alpha Dog, at least most of the time.
Features:
HERMENEUTICS, DISCERNMENT, AND SPIRITUAL MATURITY
Bryan Brock
How should we evaluate our own spiritual maturity?
WORDS OF WISDOM
Larry Oats
Solomon defines wisdom using nine words in Proverbs.
HOW WISDOM SHOULD PRODUCE DISCERNMENT
Steve Love
Truth is a cherished, lifesaving treasure to be infused and imparted to posterity.
THE ONLY WISE PURSUIT
David Saxon
Wisdom from Ecclesiastes is found in an encouraging message embedded in an ancient essay.
THE RENEWED MIND
David Potter
Conformity to the will of God involves more than surrender
BIBLICAL DECISION MAKING
Benjamin B. Flegal
The anxiety many feel regarding God’s will occurs at the crossroads of His permissive will and His hidden will.
IS YOUR WISDOM WISE?
Rebecca Brock
More than what we know or say, wisdom involves how we live out what we know.
PLEASE PASS THE SALT
Thomas Graham
Season your communication with wisdom, discernment, and grace.
Sound Words: INSPIRATION FOR THE PASTOR’S STUDY
First Partaker May God Be Gracious to Thee, My Son
Mark Minnick
Bring … the Books Five Books for a Deserted Island
Rick Arrowood
Straight Cuts Was the Gift of Tongues Designed for Evangelism?
Gary Reimers
Windows The Beautiful Winged Feet of the Gospel Messenger
Bud Steadman
DEPARTMENTS
NEWS FROM ALL OVER
ON THE HOME FRONT
BEST OF PROCLAIM & DEFEND
HEART TO HEART Practicing Gratitude
Traci Mayes
AT A GLANCE Hebrews 11: What It Looks Like to “Live by Faith” (Part 3)
Layton Talbert
WITH THE WORD TO THE WORLD Wisdom and Discernment in Evangelism
Jim Tillotson
REGIONAL REPORT
CHAPLAIN’S REPORT Serving in the Secret Service
Troy Shoaf
EVANGELIST’S PERSPECTIVE The Message We Are to Proclaim
Jerry Sivnksty
Watch for upcoming podcasts with several authors of our Feature Articles:
(Originally published in FrontLine • November/December 2024. Click here to subscribe to the magazine.)