Among the final words of Paul to his “son” Timothy was a reminder of why we do what we do in the church: “the aim of our charge is love” (1 Tim 1:5). No goal is more noble, more demanding, or more gratifying. How do we, as the church, keep our sight set on love as we carry out the ministry of Word, sacrament and discipline? How do we, as believers, faithfully carry out the stewardship of God’s grace entrusted to us so that we build one another up in love?

At the close of his Gospel account, John describes the disciples having breakfast on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. After the tumultuous events of Calvary and the empty tomb, this may strike us an insignificant or anti-climatic event to record. Is it?

This message unfolds how this marvelous reality influences how we worship and serve Christ as creator, ruler, and redeemer.

Among the sterling characters of the Old Testament few surpass Joseph for integrity and faith—which shine all the more given the suffering he was called to endure. From one perspective, his life could be summed up as, “how everything went wrong.” But Joseph would insist that “everything went right.” Is Joseph a special case and have a special faith?  Or does he testify to a promise that applies to the people of Christ as well?

Westminster Seminary California Professor A. Craig Troxel gives a morning devotion from 1 Corinthians 13.

Westminster Seminary California Professor A. Craig Troxel gives a morning devotion from 1 Corinthians 13.

Westminster Seminary California Professor A. Craig Troxel gives a morning devotion from 1 Corinthians 13.

Westminster Seminary California Professor A. Craig Troxel gives a morning devotion from 1 Corinthians 13.

C.S. Lewis wrote that the first step to “acquire humility” is “to realize that one is proud. If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed.” Lewis is probably correct that pride shadows us more than we know. Thankfully the Word of God helps us to see how we can re-orient our lives, speech and motives more humbly. Moreover, the eternal Word become flesh helps us to see what humbling oneself looks like; especially when it is motivated by love.

When Paul says “Love does not envy” he is addressing the earnestness of our desire. A strong or intense desire is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, Scripture tells us to “earnestly desire” higher spiritual gifts among other things (1Cor 12.31). But if we desire or love something in the wrong way and to the wrong degree, then we have entered into the realm of envy. The darkness of envy will not rest until it has snuffed out its rival, even if that rival is the “light of the world.” 

This series of chapel talks (based on 1Corinthians 13) is intended to answer the question, “What Is Love?” Few questions could be more important or more practical. Our “greatest” duty is to love God with all of our heart and to love our neighbor as ourselves. So, if we miss this, we have missed the most obvious thing of all. This first lesson looks at the two sides of love—in what it is determined to endure and what it is willing to give.

Love is Passive and Active (1Cor 13.4)

In this episode, Office Hours talks to Rev. Dr. A. Craig Troxel about his new book, “With All Your Heart: Orienting Your Mind, Desires, and Will toward Christ.”

Israel’s redemption from her former slavery never drifted far from her corporate memory. 

Meet A. Craig Troxel, Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Seminary California

 In these verses we ascend the summit of John’s prologue. In it we hear echoes of God’s appearing on the mountain to Moses, who condescends once again, only now embodied in the Word. He comes in the fullness of his steadfast love and faithfulness for those who look to him out of the emptiness they feel within. And those that do will not be disappointed. 

Everyone wants to belong—to become part of a circle of friends or a group where they will be accepted, valued and loved. But often the price of admittance is costly and one’s ongoing status is fragile. So what does the Word offer to those who feel like they do not belong or think they will not become anyone of value? 

It is one thing to hear that the Word is eternality itself and is the fountain of life and is the light of the World. It is another thing altogether to acknowledge it—which is what most people are unwilling to do. 

The prologue of John states that the Word “was life, and the life was the light of men.” He gives what he is. For those who live in a world of darkness what truth could offer more hope than this? He who is “the light of life” intrudes himself upon the deepest shadows to bring a redemption no one else can.

In this episode, Office Hours talks to the newest faculty member at Westminster Seminary California, Dr. A. Craig Troxel. Dr. Troxel joins the faculty as Professor of Practical Theology.