Josh Benner

Blog

  • Sermon: Feeding the multitudes – John 6:1-15

    After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. 

    12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” 15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.  (more…)

  • Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

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    At the beginning of the Beatitudes, “Jesus said: Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for there’s is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).

    To be poor in Spirit is to recognize that you have nothing to offer God. That your account has no balance in it through which you can pay your way into heaven. It’s realizing that you are nothing.

    Our society doesn’t like that thought though. We like to think we’re good, we like to think we can do things on our own way, we like to make things about our own talents or abilities or goodness. We like to rely on our own skills to get through life. We glorify talent. (more…)

  • American Gospel documentary contrasts Biblical Christianity with prosperity theology

    American Gospel documentary contrasts Biblical Christianity with prosperity theology

    I came across a Netflix documentary this weekend called American Gospel: Christ Alone. The film’s website asks the question: Is Christianity Christ + the American dream? American Gospel examines how the prosperity gospel (the Word of Faith movement) has distorted the gospel message.

    The film was made in 2018 and is part of a two part series. The documentary features interviews with John MacArthur, Mark Dever, Bryan Chappell, Steve Lawson, the late Nabeel Qureshi, and a host of others. I honestly can’t remember the last time I saw something on a streaming service (or television) which was straight up preaching the gospel and bringing Biblical truths. It was refreshing. 

    The first 40 or so minutes of the documentary is talking about the gospel message and what it is. Humanity is sinful, unable to live up to God’s mortal holiness, but the good news is that God has made a way for sinful people to be redeemed. God saves people not because we’re good but because he’s good, and for his own glory. The scholars talking about the Bible and the centrality of the gospel was very encouraging and edifying. 

    In the documentary we also meet a woman named Katherine Berger who became a Christian as an adult and talks of her joy in Christ, in spite of several severe health issues, including a rare genetic disorder. We meet Costi Hinn, the nephew of famed prosperity preacher and claimed faith-healer Benny Hinn who used to work in his uncle’s ministry before realizing the false claims that were being made. 

    (more…)

  • Bests-Selling author of “Girl, stop apologizing” announces divorce, faces online backlash

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    Rachel Hollis has amassed a larger online following as a writer, conference speaker, and social medial influencer. Her books such as “Girl, stop apologizing” and “Girl, wash your face” are published by the Christian publishing house: Thomas Nelson. Her books make references to the Christian Faith and Bible verses. She’s very popular. Critics of Hollis argue that her writing is shallow and that the basis of her message is a non-Biblical message where life ultimately bows down at the alter of self.

    Today, Hollis announced on social media that she is divorcing her husband. In the post, she talks of the long relationship she’s had with her husband going back 20 years, how they’ve worked on restoring their marriage for three years, and how they’re still going to be friends and business partners. Certainly, that’s all very unfortunate. While I think her theology is destructive, I can appreciate the tragedy that this divorce is.

    One of the things that has been interesting on social media is the backlash that Hollis and her husband (David) have faced. In her social media announcement, Hollis mentions that she’s been “an open book” in her online community but asks for people to respect her family’s privacy. Critics argue that she and her husband were hiding that they were in a failing marriage while acting as if they weren’t and taking that to the bank. They even led marriage conferences which reportedly cost upwards of $1,500 to attend.

    The issue with her fans isn’t that she was having marriage problems. The issue is that her and her husband were having marriage problems while acting like experts. Online, I’ve seen people accuse her of “toxic positivity” and espousing a philosophy that’s harmful to marriages. Others said they felt betrayed and accused them of putting up a front. 

    Again. It’s unfortunate. But I think it’s also illustrative of an important point for Christians. Your influences matter. You can be taught by someone who has the same philosophy as the rest of the world and tells you what you want to hear. Or you can listen to someone who’s going to teach Biblical truth (which is good, and wise, and edifying, but is not always what a person wants to hear).

    It’s also illustrative of a point that our own theology that we believe matters. She taught a gospel that revolved around self. the Bible has a theology which revolves around dying to self.

  • Popular pastor Tim Keller diagnosed with pancreatic cancer

    Popular pastor and speaker Tim Keller announced over the weekend that he has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

    From Keller’s post on Facebook, he said:

    I feel great and have no symptoms. It was what doctors call an “incidental pickup,” otherwise known as providential intervention. I have terrific human doctors, but most importantly I have the Great Physician himself caring for me. Though we have had times of shock and fear, God has been remarkably present with me through all the many tests, biopsies, and surgery of the past few weeks.

    If you are willing to pray for me, here are things to pray for: For God to use medical means or his direct intervention to make the cancer regress to the point of vanishing. For Kathy and me, that we use this opportunity to be weaned from the joys of this world and to desire God’s presence above all. For my family to be comforted and encouraged. For the side effects of treatment to allow me to continue writing and speaking.

    Keller’s announcement comes less than three weeks after another popular Christian leader, Ravi Zacharias passed away from cancer.

    Keller is the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, which he founded in 1989. Keller also helped found The Gospel Coalition and has authored several popular books which include “The Reason for God” which answer skeptical questions about the Christian faith. He’s also become a popular speaker at theology conferences.

    On a personal note, Keller is on my Mount Rushmore of patois who have influenced my life, theology, and ministry. I will be praying for him.

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