“If adoption is justification, adoption’s distinctively celebrated splendor lacks any “justification.” Among other problems, it becomes impossible to entertain Puritan celebration of adoption’s personal and pastoral value.”   Those given the eyes of saving faith find boundless reasons to celebrate the gospel. Clear vision of the Savior evokes songs of praise. That the Righteous Judge... Continue Reading

As explained by Fergus McMillan, chief executive of LGBT Youth Scotland, “We are currently working with a range of partners, including Equality Network, to increase the reporting of homophobic, biphobic and transphobic hate crimes and incidents and improve the support available to those targeted.”   For more than a decade, I’ve been warning that those... Continue Reading

“For Luther, the three most important principles of public communication were illustrate, illustrate, and illustrate. He encouraged preachers to use concrete images and narratives. He advised that, when preaching on abstract doctrine, the pastor find a narrative in Scripture that communicates that truth so as to communicate the abstract through the concrete.”   We do not... Continue Reading

“Friends, are you resting in the finished work of Jesus Christ for you? In the midst of your spiritual conflict or personal holy war, are you presently finding comfort in the Gospel? If you are like me, you need fresh reminders of the finished work of Jesus Christ.”   They were spiritually minded. They were ethical. They... Continue Reading

“My goal is — if they’re pro-choice — is to give them something they’ll think about,” he said. “That’s it. I don’t think we want to say people will not change their minds. I’m open to having my mind changed. I could be wrong. And then the way I keep an open mind is to... Continue Reading

“Let’s be careful not to take these words in a crass literalistic way either, as if this is teaching some sort of health and wealth prosperity gospel. Jesus is not promising that if you leave your house for his sake you will come into ownership of 100 houses.”   I was teaching from Mark 10.23-31... Continue Reading

Benedictions have become one of my favorite pastoral privileges. I can’t imagine ending a worship service with, “See you next week,” or “You’re dismissed,” when I can offer a congregation God’s blessing instead.   I like to ask people new to our congregation about their first impressions of Village Church. Mary’s answer surprised me. “I’ve... Continue Reading

“From university campuses to political campaigns to the public square, we find ourselves seemingly incapable of amicable exchange. To be sure, the situation is a bit more complex than a mere call for civility.”   I recently saw an internet meme with an image of a 2-foot-tall book with several thousand pages. On it was... Continue Reading

“Founded in 1812, Princeton Theological Seminary is affiliated with Presbyterian Church (USA), a Mainline Protestant denomination that has gained headlines and suffered membership losses for its increasing acceptance of homosexuality and gay marriage.”   Princeton Theological Seminary hosted a controversial conference last week to explore so called “gender fluidity” and how people are “forging new... Continue Reading

“How about 15 years hard labor for attempting to steal a poster? How about being imprisoned in a jail where you’re so hungry that eating corn out of cow dung or, if you’re really lucky – catching a mouse – is considered a meal. How about being served “justice” by a court not ruled by... Continue Reading