“It is the Price of Citizenship”?—An Elegy for Religious Liberty in America
Court declares citizenship requires compromise for those with religious beliefs, but not for those who practice homosexuality
The New Mexico Supreme Court dismissed all of the arguments presented on behalf of the Huguenins—arguments that have a very clear precedent in decisions by other courts, including the Supreme Court of the United States. The decision in this case by this court is both stark and strident, rejecting the reality that its holding forces... Continue Reading
I Think I Owe Carl Trueman an Apology…
My desire is to build up the people of God, not attack a brother in the Lord
So, Dr. Trueman, while I still hope that the point of my original response to your post about transformationalism is not lost, I want you to know that I truly respect and admire your role in the larger conversation. I don’t know you personally; perhaps one day we will meet, and if we do, I... Continue Reading
Let’s Give Credit Where Credit Is Due
Another response to Carl Trueman's critique of transformationalism
Nevertheless, God does at times use his people to transform social structures. Things are never perfect, but transformation—real change—happens. Sometimes this takes place, as in the medieval period, through the slow-and-steady cultural leaven of the church’s ministry. Sometimes it takes place more quickly, such as through revival and the powerful social-reform impulse that accompanied it... Continue Reading
The Sorry State of Saying “I’m Sorry”
Many in culture use apologies like a second-grader, as a tactic to avoid consequences
Often, the act of apologizing itself is seen as the penance to be paid: All one must do is look suitably downtrodden and make a public statement of remorse. These apologizers see it best to not admit too much wrongdoing and to blame-shift a bit. Once all that is over, the apologizer is off the... Continue Reading
My Dad, 1947-2013
Technology can be used for great good, but we all still face death
(O)ne thing that my dad and our whole family can clearly see is that technology cannot really save us. It may hide the pain and slow the progression of a disease. It may make you mobile and comfortable for longer. But it cannot and will not stop death for any of us. Technology can be... Continue Reading
Egypt’s Coptic Christians face unprecedented reprisals from the Muslim Brotherhood
Attacks on Christians is in retaliation for Morsi's ouster
Islamists have been assaulting Coptic Christians since the 2011 revolution that overthrew the autocratic Hosni Mubarak, but the attacks have intensified since the ouster of Mr. Morsi, the country’s first democratically elected leader. Islamist mobs have torched schools and businesses owned by Christians, looted churches and even paraded captive nuns through the streets of a city... Continue Reading
A House of Prayer is Built With Living Stones
God’s house of prayer is a living thing
What that means is a house of prayer is not something we go to; it is something we are. Like an LED display is comprised of many light-emitting diodes, so each disciple of Christ is a diode giving light as part of the whole. In the Old Testament book of Isaiah, God said that... Continue Reading
The Case for Good Taste in Children’s Books
Book reviewer calls for discernment when choosing children's books, adults must guide their children in what they read
Books for children and teenagers are written, packaged, and sold by adults. It follows from this that the emotional depictions they contain come to young people with a kind of adult imprimatur. As a school librarian in Idaho wrote to her colleagues in my defense: “You are naïve if you think young people can read... Continue Reading
On Pulpits and Polemics
When and how should a preacher engage in polemic in the pulpit?
Seventh, do you need to name a name or can you simply critique the problematic concept? My rule of thumb when it comes to fellow Christians is generally to critique the concept and not name any individual. This is particularly important when it comes, for example, to other ministers of good standing. My goal is... Continue Reading
Is Neo-Calvinism different from the old, classic Calvinism?
The question is not whether Christians have a task in this world or not, but what this task consists of and what is the Scriptural basis and warrant for it
Such a conception had to lead to an essentially optimistic view of culture and the world. Not that Kuyper himself lost sight of sin and its awful consequences for the human race and the cosmos. He deeply believed in the antithesis and thus in the fundamental difference between common and particular grace. The same cannot... Continue Reading