Not Sentiment, Prejudice, or Tradition: Exploring the Nature of Marriage
Review of a book on marriage that establishes that the case for conjugal marriage is not based on irrational prejudice or sentimental appeal to tradition but on a series of sophisticated arguments
The book’s final chapter (“Marriage and the Law”) concerns questions about what view of marriage should be reflected in our laws. Lee and George argue that because conjugal marriage is uniquely real marriage, it would be unjust for the law to say otherwise. This chapter includes rebuttals to several arguments for the legal recognition of... Continue Reading
What Is the Heartbeat of Reformed Theology?
If pressed to articulate what drives Reformed Theology, it is the glory of God as revealed in Scripture
“What is the heartbeat of Reformed Theology? I wouldn’t feel the need to argue with someone who would suggest it is the Doctrines of Grace, union with Christ, or even the Solas of the Reformation. Yet, I think it is more accurate to say that Reformed theology is a system of doctrine that seeks to... Continue Reading
The Reformation of Worship
We go to church to worship God, and that’s done by giving, not getting
“The Reformation entailed a major rehaul of worship, in keeping with the recovery of biblical teaching on a number of matters, especially justification. Like their medieval counterparts, the Reformers conceived of worship as a meeting between God and his people. “Wherever the faithful… are assembled together to engage in the solemn acts of religious worship,... Continue Reading
8 Reasons To Pursue Biblical Friendships
Biblical friendship demonstrates to the world a spiritual unity rooted in the supernatural
“Rosaria’s repeated calls to pursue and build friendships inside and outside the Christian community coincided with me reading a number of books on friendship over the previous months and spurred me on to read the next book on my list, The Company We Keep: In Search of Biblical Friendship by Jonathan Holmes, Pastor of Counseling at Parkside Church... Continue Reading
Why Evangelicals Are Wary Of The Government
The subpoenas issued to five city pastors highlight larger tensions in state involvement with religion
“On October 14, several conservative news sites began writing about the subpoenas, and that sparked a swift and loud national evangelical response. The more outraged responses came from a number of evangelical pundits who have made careers out of blowing the bugle of petty culture wars. But others came from leaders who are not known... Continue Reading
Spurgeon Legacy Flourishes At 2 Seminaries
Spurgeon's influence is felt in a broad swath of Christian higher education, with two Southern Baptist seminaries giving special attention to the late British preacher this fall
“At Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., an Oct. 9-10 conference focused on Spurgeon’s life and ministry, led by Thomas J. Nettles, who taught historical theology at Southern more than 17 years until his retirement in May. Nettles is the author of “Living By Revealed Truth: The Life and Pastoral Theology of Charles Haddon... Continue Reading
8 Ways To Avoid Becoming A Pastoral Ideologue
In pastoral ministry today, there is a pressing need for ministers to develop a strongly informed Biblical ideology–both for themselves, their ministries and the lives of the congregants
“There are far too many ministers who compromise what they know to be clearly defined and Divinely mandated biblical expectations for the sake of acceptance or self-preservation in ministry. While a lack of strongly formed biblical convictions is the greatest deficiency in pastoral ministry today, there is the opposite danger of rigid idealism among men who have strongly... Continue Reading
Is Theology A Science?
Theology is not only a matter of belief, but also of knowledge
“The question revolves around the definitions of the two terms. What one means by “theology” and what one means by “science” will carry the day in answering the question. It seems fairly obvious that if theology is a science, it is a science that is different from the “normal” sciences we think of today (e.g.,... Continue Reading
A Muckraking Magazine Creates a Stir Among Evangelical Christians
Olasky on World Magazine: “We’re a Christian publication but not a movement organ.”
Mr. Belz is no longer editor, but he still writes a column for World. He said that he got the idea for a Christian newsmagazine from readers of a children’s publication that he had founded. After moving to Asheville to edit a small, failing magazine called Presbyterian Journal, he conceived the idea for a new... Continue Reading
3 Reasons Why God Ordains that Believers Should Struggle with Sin
God could simply remove our sinful nature entirely at the moment of our conversion, as He will do at the moment of our glorification, but He does not. So why not?
Killing sin is a life-long calling, an intense battle that never ends in this life. As we fight, sometimes we need reminders and motivations to keep fighting and at other times we need comfort and assurance that the fight will be over and we will be victorious. The motivation and the assurance both keep us... Continue Reading