Josh Benner

Tag: forgiveness

  • The gospel in Les Miserables

    Originally published as “Jesus in Les Miserables” on December 24, 2012 Caught. Jean Valjean had stolen silver from the Bishop and the local authorities had caught him red handed. On his own merits, there was nothing Valjean could do to rectify the situation. He didn’t have the money to pay for it. He was guilty. But…

  • Forgiveness in the shadow of death

    In the summer of 2016, Jamison Pals drove through Nebraska with his wife Kathryne, and their three young children: Ezra, 3; Violet, almost 2; and Calvin, 2 months old. As traffic slowed down for construction, a semi truck, driven by a 53 year old driver named Tony Weekly slammed into the back of the Pals…

  • Not exchanging the gospel for another to-do list.

    Many people in our society don’t understand the gospel because they don’t understand the cost of sin. We can do nothing to earn forgiveness because of our sin. The only hope humanity has is the grace of God, freely given to anyone who trusts in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many don’t understand that, don’t…

  • Couldn’t God just forgive us? Why was the cross necessary?

    A person might look at the crucifixion, look at what the Lord did on the cross, and wonder “Why was that the only way? Why was that necessary? Couldn’t God simply forgive us?” No. This is an idea I’ve heard from Tim Keller before, and it’s an important idea on having a theology of forgiveness.…