Jordan D. Tong

Category: Christian Living

  • Fear God, Not Man

    Fear God, Not Man

    “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” -Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” -Proverbs 29:25 Throughout my life, the fear of man has proved a constant temptation. I naturally desire the approval and respect of others, which, when tempered, is not…

  • Should Christians Drink? – Avoiding the Extremes of Legalistic Teetotaler and Liberty and Lots of Beer for All

    Should Christians Drink? – Avoiding the Extremes of Legalistic Teetotaler and Liberty and Lots of Beer for All

    Among Christians, few topics are as hotly contested and polarizing as the use of alcohol. Those who abstain (teetotalers) are usually very opposed to its use, and those who partake usually find the teetotalers as legalistic Pharisees. But in my observation of these two groups, each has a tendency to fall into extremes – unhelpful…

  • The Use of Anti-Depressants

    I have written in the past on the topic of anxiety and depression and have touched on the use of medication. However, I want to discuss the issue a little further, giving my thoughts on what I believe is a proper Christian perspective of the use of anti-depressants. I hope to answer such questions as:…

  • God’s Sovereignty & Man’s Responsibility – Class Audio

    This past Sunday, I taught a class on the topic of God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility. While this usually conjures up thoughts about the debate of Calvinism vs. Arminianism, the scope of this class was much larger. We discussed the nature of God’s sovereignty and how it is specifically expressed in the world. We assessed…

  • If You Are A Christian, You Believe In God’s Sovereignty – Here’s Why

    The idea of God’s sovereignty raises many questions for Christians. In fact, one of the central “in-house” debates among Southern Baptist is regarding the extent of God’s sovereignty in the salvation of man. I do not here want to wade into those waters and discuss the merits of both sides; however, I would like to…

  • The Sovereignty of God – What is it? How is it expressed?

    The sovereignty of God is a doctrine central to the Christian faith. The hope of the Christian is primarily rooted in a God who has both the authority and the power to bring about his good and perfect will. C.D. Cole defines sovereignty as “the exercise of God’s supremacy. God is the one supreme and…

  • Anxiety and Depression – Class Audio

    Today I was blessed to be able to lead a class at my church discussing the topic of anxiety and depression from a Christian worldview. If you have read my previous blog posts on these topics (found here: anxiety part 1, anxiety part 2, depression), then you will have a good idea of the nature…

  • A Joyful, Difficult Journey: A Birthday Tribute To My Son, Gideon

    Today is a very special day in the Tong household, as we celebrate our son Gideon’s 2nd birthday. What makes today more special than any other birthday? Well, unknown to us before delivery, Gideon’s body was not forming exactly right in the womb. He had a severe birth defect known as bladder exstrophy, a rare…

  • God’s Jealousy – A Really Good Thing

    Exodus 20:5 “…for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God…” Many are thrown aback at the thought of God being a jealous God. This conjures up thoughts of the psycho boyfriend who seeks to control every move of his girlfriend’s life. Jealously in our culture is considered a vice – a lustful desire…

  • Dealing with Depression: A Christian Approach

    Depression is a crushing problem for many, plunging them into a despair and hurt few can understand. Robert Burton spoke of depression rightly when he said: “They are in great pain and horror of mind, distraction of soul, restlessness, full of continual fears, cares, torment, anxieties, they can neither drink, eat, nor sleep…”[1] Abraham Lincoln…