ADVERTISING
Commercial and bureaucratic hindrances collided with an uncontrollable reality: the faith of many players.
The author died on Sunday, March 6th. He was 86 years old. “Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God's grace.”
Jerry Bridges talking at the Desiring God conference in 2014. 7 DG
Respected theologian and author Jerry Bridges died on Sunday, March 6th. He was 86 years old.
“He suffered cardiac arrest on Saturday morning en route to the emergency room at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs”, The Gospel Coalition website informed.
Bridges was born in Texas, in a context of Christian legalism, theologian José de Segovia explains. “He discovered grace in university, and later fought in the Korean war. Being in Japan, he contacted the Navigators, a ministry in which he served for many years. He also was in the leadership of a Presbyterian church”.
He helped many discover the profound meaning of biblical grace. Justin Taylor (author), wrote: “One of the great legacies of Jerry Bridges is that he combined—to borrow some titles from his books—the pursuit of holiness and godliness with an emphasis on transforming grace. He believed that trusting God not only involved believing what he had done for us in the past, but that the gospel empowers daily faith and is transformative for all of life.”
One of Bridges' books.“GOSPEL IS NOT JUST FOR UNBELIEVERS”
Bridges wrote more than 20 books and was an international speaker. In his memories “God took me by the hand” (2014), the author explained several lessons he learned:
- The Bible is meant to be applied to specific life situations.
- All who trust in Christ as Savior are united to Him in a loving way just as the branches are united to the vine.
- The pursuit of holiness and godly character is neither by self-effort nor simply letting Christ “live His life through you.”
- The sudden understanding of the doctrine of election was a watershed event for me that significantly affected my entire Christian life.
- The representative union of Christ and the believer means that all that Christ did in both His perfect obedience and His death for our sins is credited to us.
- The gospel is not just for unbelievers in their coming to Christ.
- We are dependent on the Holy Spirit to apply the life of Christ to our lives.
One of Bridges’ most repeated quotes is:
"Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God's grace".
The Discipline of Grace: God’s Role and Our Role in the Pursuit of Holiness (2006)
I’ve finally come across the term that wraps my mind around the nuanced social reality I see in Europe.
God has used men and women without distinction throughout history - men and women full of his power who obeyed his call.
Nominal Christianity, a mission field for the church
An interview with Lars Dahle, of the Steering Committee of the Lausanne Movement Global Consultation on Nominal Christianity held in Rome.
Ruth Valerio: A lifestyle that cares about creation
Are Christians called to make a difference in environmental care? What has creation care to do with "loving our neighbours"? An interview with the Global Advocacy and Influencing Director of Tearfund.
Kathy Bryan: Online sex trafficking in the USA
“Prostitution is nobody’s dream, it’s a very traumatic lifestyle”, says Kathy Bryan, director of the Elevate Academy. She mentors former victims.
Christians in politics?
What is the role of Christians serving in politics? An interview with Auke Minnema, the new General Director of the European Christian Political Movement (ECPM).
Michael Ramsden: Communicating the Gospel in today’s societies
RZIM International Director Michael Ramsden responds to questions about the secularisation of Europe, the role of Christians in public leadership and the new ‘culture of victimism’.
Sharing Jesus with World Cup fans in Moscow
A team of Steiger mission is starting conversations about the gospel in the middst of the football celebration in Russia.
Analysing current issues in the light of the Bible
At the 2018 Apologetics Forum in Comarruga (Spain), Michael Ramsden, Pablo Martinez, Ruth Valerio and José de Segovia analysed how society and the Bible approach the issues of personal identity, integrity, sexuality, pop culture, and environmental care.
European “Bridges to Inclusion” gathering 2018, in Riga
The network of Christian ministries working for the inclusion of people with disabilities, celebrated its tenth continental meeting in Latvia with the participation of 12 countries.
How the loss of universal values led to a loss of civility
Author Bruce Little: “We have moved from a sense of responsibility to ‘my personal rights’”.
Being a peacemaker
Ken Sande, Founder and President of Relational Wisdom 360, develops a practical systematic theology for pursuing peace and resolving the conflicts of real life.
“No one should have to leave their values at the door”
Author Krish Kandiah talks with politician Tim Farron about the Christian faith, politics and secularism.
What are the essential characteristics of a godly leader?
Clinical Pastoral Counsellor Emoke Tapolyai reflect on three characteristics Christians who have been given leadership roles should develop.
Reaching non-Christian ‘Christians’
How can we reach those who call themselves ‘Christians’ but have not experienced a conversion to Christ? Forty missiologists and mission practitioners came together for a Lausanne Movement global consultation in Rome.
Opinions expressed are those of their respective contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of Evangelical Focus.
If you want to comment, or