A Calvinist Evangelist?
The fact of the matter is that Calvinism is not inconsistent with evangelism; it is only inconsistent with certain evangelistic methods.
Calvinism is inconsistent, for example, with the emotionally manipulative methods created by revivalists such as Charles Finney. But these manipulative methods are themselves inconsistent with Scripture, so it is no fault to reject them. In order for evangelism to be pleasing to God, it must be consistent with the whole system of biblical teaching. But... Continue Reading
Comfort Is a Deadly Compass
Everyone’s internal compass is broken. We all need spiritual guidance.
When given choices we often tend towards that which is going to be the most comfortable and most personally rewarding. But what if our compass is defective? What if the right sense of direction would tell us to do the hard thing that requires humility? I believe that personal comfort is a deadly compass. ... Continue Reading
Why Study Theology: Good & Necessary Consequence
No preaching or theological work can be done well unless the church is willing to deduce from Scripture good and necessary consequences.
How Christians are to think about and interact with issues such as the transgender movement, the rise of social media, new science, or whatever, a thorough grounding in the truths of Scripture, truths which are expressly set down in its explicit teaching as well as derived from necessary consequences, will help us live wisely to... Continue Reading
The Elusive Balance of Grace & Truth in Gospel Ministry
Christians often view situations with an eye upon divine grace or divine truth—God’s love or God’s law—without seeing how these elements fit together.
God, in his grace, doesn’t leave us stuck between two faucets. The Holy Spirit pours forth a mixture of grace and truth in a single stream, one that we receive and then channel into the dry and weary world in which we live. It is the greatest privilege imaginable to be used of God in this way,... Continue Reading
A Hidden Source of Boaz’s Compassion
Ultimately the Lord put the compassion for Ruth in the heart of Boaz. Yet did He use another means in the background of Boaz as well?
Do you see someone in your congregation that abounds in mercy toward others, far surpassing the efforts of most? You may not be just witnessing someone who is super obedient or exceptionally gifted. For ask a few questions about his or her past. Behind the scenes may be quite a story of how the Lord put... Continue Reading
No, I’m Not a Feminist or an Egalitarian
Feminist doesn't mean "a woman I disagree with and wish she'd stop talking."
I’m not a feminist. I’m not an egalitarian. What I am is tired of the name-calling and the attempts to silence me and others like me. No doubt those who need to hear these words the most are the least likely to listen. But I hope that those who are tempted to believe the lies... Continue Reading
Guard the Heart
Though our hearts have been cleansed and made new, we still battle against sin.
We still live in a sin-stained world where temptations abound, where the presence of sin lingers within us, where the evil one still prowls, and where the world hates God. All of these forces influence us. Though the war for our heart has been won, skirmishes still remain. We live the rest of our lives... Continue Reading
Confused by All the Attacks on the Bible? Here Are Three Categories to Help You
Just about any sort of objection can fall into one of these three areas.
One helpful way to address this problem is to learn how to separate these varied objections into distinct categories. This simple step allows us to organize our thinking. This helps us get a clearer picture of what particular opponent we are dealing with. So, here are the three categories of Bible objections. Indeed, I might... Continue Reading
Does Suffering Mean There’s No God?
Suffering is a feature of this life because the human race has turned away from its Creator.
People who receive Jesus and the reconciliation he offers, can see suffering very differently. First they can see by the example of Jesus that God is able to bring good out of even the greatest pain (even when they don’t understand how that can be). Second they can look forward to a future that is... Continue Reading
12 Ideas You Must Embrace to Affirm Theistic Evolution
Did God not act directly or specially to create Adam and Eve?
Theistic evolution implies is that there are actually twelve details in Genesis 1-3 that simply didn’t happen. If you hold to this doctrine (in the most common form in which it is held today), you would say that these ideas are true. The Accuracy of Genesis 1-3 Theistic evolution is a viewpoint that God created... Continue Reading