Who Is Lord of the Church?
In many ways, the question, who is Lord of the church? was the over-arching issue of the Protestant Reformation from the start.
Hus wrote, “Neither is the pope the head nor are the cardinals the whole body of the [true] holy, universal, catholic church. For Christ alone is the head of that church.” Pointing out that most church leaders in his era actually despised the lordship of Christ, Hus said, “To such a low pitch is the... Continue Reading
Why A “Paper” Bible is Better Than A Bible App At Church Meetings
Your paper Bible could be precious and useful to you in ways that a digital Bible never could.
Sure, it’s convenient to utilize a digital Bible in numerous settings—like reading (or listening) just before you fall asleep at night, or when you unexpectedly want to look up something during a discussion. But in a church meeting (Bible studies, Sunday’s gatherings, etc.), I strongly recommend using a “paper” Bible. Technology is useful in... Continue Reading
Reinhold Niebuhr, Washington’s Favorite Theologian
A new documentary called "An American Conscience: The Reinhold Niebuhr Story," tries to capture and explain why Niebuhr is experiencing something of a renaissance.
Sin, irony, tragedy. These words leapt out of the pages of Niebuhr’s books and speeches. Humanity was fallen and redeemed through God’s grace, Niebuhr wrote. But that redemption is always incomplete and we can never rise to the standards set forth in the Bible. Only by accepting our limitations could we make the best out... Continue Reading
Raise a Juice Box to the Temperance Movement
The teetotaling history behind America's favorite communion wine substitute.
The son of a teetotaling mother and a preacher father who drank occasionally and socially, T. B. Welch had taken his mother’s side in the family arguments and been a teetotaler his whole life. Serving alcoholic wine at Communion bothered him greatly, but no acceptable substitute existed that he knew of. His impetus to develop... Continue Reading
Grace and The Non-Instagrammable Church
Grace is pronouncedly stronger in churches that are profoundly weak.
No, the actual church isn’t the church in the stock photos. (Not sure what those guys raising their hands out in the middle of wheat fields are doing but I’m fairly certain it does not resemble what takes place in your worship service.) The actual church is a motley crew of sinners who are more... Continue Reading
Gene Editing and Designer Babies—Why the Future Desperately Needs Us
Recent advances in genetics are truly frightening.
It’s useful to identify what causes health problems, but that doesn’t fix them. The Human Genome Project has allowed us to read and better understand the code, but it has been virtually impossible to get inside the cell nucleus to make changes—until now. The discovery of an easy way to “edit” genes may someday... Continue Reading
“13 Reasons Why” is Deceptive and Destructive
I cannot overstate how enticing it will be for those who are bullied to imagine a scenario in which they can turn the tables and emotionally destroy their classmates.
It is clear, at least to me and to a growing number of psychologists and mental health experts, that 13 Reasons Why will lead to more suicide, not less. Already, we are hearing warnings from various experts on teen suicide, and we are likely to see a rash of suicide attempts throughout the country. ... Continue Reading
Ten Reasons it is More Difficult to be a Pastor Today
All three of my sons went into vocational ministry after serving in the business world.
These ten reasons are not statements of doom and gloom; they are simply statements of reality. Serving as pastor in a church today has more challenges than it did years ago. But challenges in ministry are common throughout the history from the first church to today. Such is the reason no pastors can lead well... Continue Reading
Giving People a Chance to Grow
Many men and women came alongside me and thankfully confronted me, encouraged me, and brought me along and helped me grow in so many areas.
Whether it is with our own children or with people in our churches, a lot of the time we are tempted to be impatient. When we see someone who isn’t measuring up to what we want from them, we can be tempted to anger, in our minds we mark them with an x and think... Continue Reading
TULIP and Reformed Theology: Perseverance of the Saints
True Christians can have radical and serious falls but never total and final falls from grace.
The whole purpose of God’s election is to bring His people safely to heaven; therefore, what He starts He promises to finish. He not only initiates the Christian life, but the Holy Spirit is with us as the sanctifier, the convictor, and the helper to ensure our preservation. Writing to the Philippians, Paul says, “He... Continue Reading