“While the terminology of theological liberalism has faded, the spirit of liberalism lives on. To give one ready example, the emerging church movement was little more than modern liberalism masquerading in postmodern clothing. And it is in this context that I first encountered it.”   I am now well into a series titled “Why I... Continue Reading

The church’s Book of Discipline states that homosexuality is “incompatible with Christian teaching” and that “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” are not permitted to be ordained. The Baltimore-Washington Area Reconciling United Methodists said the move to not approve a candidate who was recommended by the ministry board was a rare one.   A married lesbian who had... Continue Reading

In the Body of Christ, no distinctions should be made based on economic status. James says these divisions come from “evil thoughts.” Rather, in God’s economy those who are materially poor have the grace of being rich in Christ through faith (v. 5). They are heirs of an eternal inheritance that is imperishable and far... Continue Reading

“I remember as a non-Christian myself attempting to “break it” only to find it breaking me. What a glorious book! I thought I was reading it, but again it was reading me. I began in judgment of it only to find it was judging me. But even more than that, it provided me the truth that there... Continue Reading

“Confessional orthodoxy, because its foundation is the Word of God, can be used to remind the struggling believer of what he truly believes, even as that same one is being intensely reminded of the devastating effects of sin that afflicts the Lord’s people.”   Whether formally acknowledged or not, confessional orthodoxy is a matter of ... Continue Reading

“There is a true sense in which the ministers of my generation know all that we know about the public worship and ministry of the church generally, and the Reformed church specifically, from the writings and lectures of Hughes ‘Scoti’ Old.”   Tomorrow the remains of Hughes Oliphant Old (April 13, 1933 – May 24,... Continue Reading

“Note that to obey the command to ‘consider yourselves’ requires intentionality and effort. It’s a faith-initiated, Christ-focused effort, to be sure, but it is human effort nonetheless. The Holy Spirit motivates and empowers you to do that, but he doesn’t do it for you.”   When we’re born again from above by the Spirit of... Continue Reading

“In the dumbed down, consumerist, secular humanistic societies of the West, many of our people do not realise that the very things they say they prize, such as freedom, equality and diversity, are in fact founded upon a Christian view of society and humanity. If you take away the roots then the fruits will stay... Continue Reading

“At its peak in 1974, UMW claimed 1.36 million members. This means the women’s mission group has lost 64 percent of its total membership since that time. It gets worse. The UMW has lost 114,742 members in just the last five years.”   An evangelical shift is unfolding in the United Methodist Church (UMC). Recent... Continue Reading

“When a man is so subdued by the grace of God in the gospel that such a self-assessment is, in fact, accurate, that man—love him or hate him—stands out in the crowd. Thus, Knox had preeminence in Scotland. Yet disproportionate to that preeminence, he had neither glory nor riches. He gained preeminence because, like so... Continue Reading