Don’t Confuse Knowledge or Success in Ministry With Maturity
Success Is Not Necessarily an Endorsement
God did not act because he endorsed my manner of living, but because of his zeal for his own glory and his faithfulness to his promises of grace for his people. God has the authority and power to use whatever instruments he chooses in whatever way he chooses. Ministry success is always more a statement... Continue Reading
We’re Not the Ones God Has Been Waiting For
In seeking to be a “different kind of Christian,” we’re tempted to think we can accomplish more for Jesus if we could just be less offensive, more innovative, more missional/gospel-centered/seeker-friendly. Yes, our ministry can and must grow with every generation. But we must not succumb to the Satanic idea that we can build the church... Continue Reading
Atheism is a religion, too
Absolutely everyone is religious -- including atheists
First, they have a functioning God under whom they are subservient (normally it’s science or rationality, but mainly themselves), and that idea of God informs the way they live and interpret their lives. It informs their biases and determines their values, and governs any sense of morality or ethics they adhere too, or ignore. Once... Continue Reading
8 Reasons Why Rome Still Calls
PCA Pastor and Former Catholic on the ways Rome appeals to those who have left
In the postmodern, emergent, post-Christian church hungry to try and connect with first century Christianity I’ve often said we should stop monkeying around with all of the candles and just go back to Rome if we’re going to go this route. Rome has better sets, costumes, props, and scripts. I’ve been in the Sistine chapel... Continue Reading
Solving the Case of the Missing Mojo
Discernment and Interpretation Do Matter
But efforts to minimize the interpretive aspect of Scriptural appropriation run up against the fact that interpretive diversity among Christians is simply undeniable. Thus, some seek respite from the hermeneutical challenge in the confessions of the church. While Christians differ about what the Bible teaches, they may say, the confessions are clear. Except, of course,... Continue Reading
Socially Acceptable Sins
What are America's Top 3 sins? The answer might surprise you.
Only 9% of those who answered the survey listed sexually inappropriate behavior to be their most pressing temptation. We live in a world saturated by inappropriate material everywhere we go, and yet only 9% listed it as a temptation. Anger, or hatred, barely got a mention. Lying, stealing, coveting, jealously? Not even a passing comment.... Continue Reading
A Tale of Two Popes
Thoughts on the new book from Catholic intellectual and essayist, George Weigel, Evangelical Catholicism
Some may wonder what the point of reflecting on Rome is for a Protestant. At least threefold,I would respond. First, Protestants benefit from a conservative papacy: on public square issues such as abortion, marriage and religious freedom, the RCC has a higher profile and more power – financial, legal, institutional – than any Protestant group.... Continue Reading
When Pain Is Front And Center
One day it struck me that only one person received no mercy in his affliction – Jesus.
And he did all that so we could experience God’s mercies new every morning. So if you are suffering today, I don’t minimize your pain. Some of you are suffering horrific pain and sadness. But I would encourage you, even in your pain, to look for God’s mercies in the midst of it. As much... Continue Reading
Shamers should be ashamed
What is the difference between corrective discipline and shaming? The heart
The shamer seeks to break down or, at best, is not aware enough of the human heart to realize that’s what he is doing. The shamer manipulates others, leaving them no choice but to fight back loudly (and thus shame themselves) or concede and be shamed. Sure, sometimes it seems like such actions “work.” The... Continue Reading
Boy Scouts Renew Debate Over Sex
Thoughts on the potential change to the policy on homosexual scouts and leaders
Beyond the Boy Scouts, at stake is whether any private organization beyond religious institutions shall be permitted by the current culture to uphold traditional sexual ethics. And ultimately are churches themselves, even if legally protected by the First Amendment, safe from hostility and growing intolerance against traditionalism? A lot may depend on whether the BSA... Continue Reading
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 935
- 936
- 937
- 938
- 939
- …
- 1247
- Next Page »