Wyatt Graham

Faith | Books | Culture

How Desire Becomes Sin (according to Augustine)

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We often define ourselves by what we desire most. Be yourself. Fulfill your dream. I can love who I want. But it is not always right to be yourself, nor to fulfill any dream, nor even to love who you want. God cares about how you define yourself, what you dream of, and even whom you sexually desire. 

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus makes this last point clear when he names looking after someone with lustful intent as the equivalent to adultery. Here, Jesus warns us against following certain desires. He tells us that desire can become sin. 

While these words may be commonplace to many Christians, we sometimes struggle to grasp the difference between good desire and bad desire as in looking at someone with “lustful intent.” The Holy Spirit has gifted the church with many gifted teachers throughout the ages, and in particular Augustine of Hippo (354–430) was given insight into Jesus’ words here. 

So below, I offer a brief overview of Jesus’ words followed by Augustine’s pastoral reflection to help us understand how our desires can turn into sin so that we can know what is good (good desires) and avoid what is not (sinful desires).  [Read more…] about How Desire Becomes Sin (according to Augustine)

Why You Should Read a 4th Century Bishop’s Letter Collection (Review of Bradley K. Storin’s Gregory of Nazianzus’s Letter Collection)

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Gregory of Nazianzus (329–390 AD) is one of three people to receive the epitaph “Theologian.” The others are John the Apostle and Symeon (949–1022 AD). The title certainly indicates a deep knowledge about God, but it underscores the experiential knowledge of the Divine. So Gregory is one who not only knew about God but also knew him. Gregory also presided over the famous council of Constinople (381) for a short time. Actually, it was after leaving this council (being somewhat embittered because of his experience) that he was able to sponsor the collection of his letters. 

The translation by Bradley Storin is excellent, and it was a pleasure to have a book that focuses on the author (Gregory) rather than the scholarly apparatus of the editor. The introduction is short and to the point while the notes carry the same kind of simplicity. Since the content here is king, consider these three reasons why you should consider purchasing this affordable collection of letters from a fourth century bishop.  [Read more…] about Why You Should Read a 4th Century Bishop’s Letter Collection (Review of Bradley K. Storin’s Gregory of Nazianzus’s Letter Collection)

7 Personal Responses to the Coronavirus

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The Coronavirus has been declared a pandemic because it has spread across many countries. While serious, medical professionals recognize that the percentage that die from the virus is likely lower than reported because un-reported cases (often the virus is mild).

And some countries that have contained the virus have already greatly reduced the spread of the virus (e.g., South Korea, China). For this reason, we can have a measure of hope that, although serious, the virus will primarily have an economic effect on countries. Sadly, it will also affect those with compromised immune systems and the elderly. 

With measured hope mixed with caution, I want to share seven personal responses to coronavirus that may help you to think through similar appropriate responses: [Read more…] about 7 Personal Responses to the Coronavirus

Who Are the 144,000 in Revelation?

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Revelation 7 describes two armies—the 144,000 and the multitude from the nations. These two groups are identified in various ways.

Some have argued that they represent Jewish and Gentile believers respectively (dispenational).Others see them as two visions of the same group (non-dispensational).

Probably the best way to understand the vision, however, is as a recapitution of the earlier vision of the Lion and Lamb in Revelation 5:5–6. A number of reasons lead to this conclusion.* [Read more…] about Who Are the 144,000 in Revelation?

“I am not leaving you. I am changing forms”—is this modalism?

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A well-known pastor created a bit of an uproar recently when he paraphrased Jesus in John 16:7. The pastor summarized Jesus as saying: “I am not leaving you. I am changing forms.” The language of “changing” forms sounded to a lot of people like he taught the ancient heresy of modalism. 

Did he teach modalism? Perhaps, but probably not because he explained himself just afterwards by paraphrasing Jesus again: “When I send my Spirit, I will be in you. So I am not leaving you. I am just changing locations.”

The point he is making, at least in this short clip, seems to be that the Spirit of Jesus makes Jesus present on earth even though he is located in heaven. In any case, it is worth reflecting on what Modalism is since—for better or worse—Christians are now discussing it.  [Read more…] about “I am not leaving you. I am changing forms”—is this modalism?