Why Do We Hate the Suburbs?
I wonder if the only reason we think suburbs are bad is because we were told they were bad and we believed it.
Here are a few of the most prominent Christian objections to living in the suburbs. How many of them hold up to even a slight bit of scrutiny? Suburbs are inauthentic: I confess to not quite understanding what this means. Yes, suburban things are often newer and feature less exposed brick, but how is that... Continue Reading
Minority Status: How Are Christians to Respond to Their Developing Cultural Displacement?
What Scripture and the early Church teach us about how to live as a religious and cultural minority in an increasingly unchristian society
We must remember that we are not entitled to dominant or majority status, to be a major social force, in this world or age. There is no kingdom in this world over which God has granted rule to Christians or His Church. Rather, our kingdom is that of Christ, which is not of this world.... Continue Reading
Why Justification Isn’t Enough for the Christian Life
Sanctification, just as much as justification, is a gift of God in Christ Jesus
Justification is a marvelous gift, and I must continually remind myself that all my guilt has been washed away by Christ. But the problem is sin doesn’t only make me guilty legally; it also pollutes me morally. Even if I certain that I will not face God’s wrath for my impatient words to my wife,... Continue Reading
The Heresy of Perfectionism
If we think we are becoming perfect, then we are far from becoming perfect.
Inevitably the error of perfectionism breeds one, or usually two, deadly delusions. To convince ourselves that we have achieved sinlessness, we must either suffer from a radical overestimation of our moral performance or we must seriously underestimate the requirements of God’s law. The irony of perfectionism is this: Though it seeks to distance itself from... Continue Reading
Being a Pastor and Speaking Out in Today’s Culture
Is it right that pastors should remain silent about important matters in society
Is a pastor solely limited to sharing the Gospel to his flock on Sunday mornings? Or was the late Dr. John Stott right that one of our identities as Gospel preachers, in a faithful Biblical portrait of a pastor, is a “herald”? The pastor is not a prophet, yet he most certainly does carry a... Continue Reading
The Loss of the Historical Adam and the Death of Exegesis
Forsaking exegesis: separating “the Christ event” from its backstory changes the story itself
If Adam is mythical, then so is redemption. While it does not follow that if Adam is mythical, then the historicity of Jesus must also be denied, it does follow that if Adam is mythical, then the historicity of Jesus as Second Adam must be denied. And Christianity is founded on Jesus as Second Adam. Modern... Continue Reading
Why the Cross Is Loving
The cross was an instrument of torture and death, why do we call it “wondrous” and “mighty”?
Jesus’ death was beautiful and loving and good because it was for us in a very specific way: He was found guilty of our sin, took the punishment we deserve. He bore our griefs, our sorrows, our iniquities. He did not lay down his life to make a general point about passive resistance, or to... Continue Reading
Have American Parents Got It All Backwards?
We hold some basic truths as self-evident when it comes to good parenting, are they valid?
Even more surprising: She’s found that the same holds for Western students here in the US: adolescents who feel responsible to their families tend to do better in school. The lesson for us: if you want to help your adolescent do well in school make them feel obligated. Author of Parenting Without Borders: Surprising Lessons... Continue Reading
Scapegoats Anyone?
Evangelical pastors are rapidly capitulating to the pro-homosexual agenda
Watch what will happen. Many Evangelicals, with “faith pastors” and “faith churches” will become 21st century liberals, preaching a watered down “faith” that goes easy on sin and eliminates the Fall. On the other hand, biblical orthodoxy that defends the Creator/creature distinction and all the other God-created holy distinctions (such as male and female) and preaches a Gospel of both grace... Continue Reading
The ‘Selfie’
The selfie is a new type of exhibitionism; we are our own paparazzi; the rise of the selfie indicates a rampant narcissism
It seems that many of our churches are also likenesses of the selfie. Of course, there are many solid churches that do not perpetuate our own narcissism. I believe I go to one. Even so, I think that this is an epidemic that we need to be aware of because it appeals to us all... Continue Reading
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