The Unexpected Sacrifices Of The Mission Field
In my context, to put the work of the Gospel first essentially means that I must learn to prize and place the ministry of others above my own ministry
“We have missed our extended family – grandparents, aunt & uncles and cousins. We have experienced attempted break-ins to our house at night. Our car has been vandalized. Malaria has visited our family multiple times. While the joys abound, the challenges are manifold. Yet it has often been the unexpected challenges of the mission field... Continue Reading
Ex-Gay Therapist Responds to SBC’s “Reparative Therapy” Stance
Unfortunately, the voices not heard in this sudden revival of debate are those within the ex-gay community, many of whom have used therapy for wise counsel, accountability and healing
“By now you’ve likely heard RNS News report that Dr. Russell Moore has supposedly “denounced reparative therapy” for same-sex attracted individuals who wish to change their sexual attractions and join the ex-gay community. But if you read all of Moore’s statements, you cannot find him downright rejecting sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE).” Did you... Continue Reading
Gay Marriage Bans In Four States Upheld, Supreme Court Review Likely
The 2-1 ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit reversed district court rulings that had struck down gay marriage bans in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee
Sutton argued that appellate judges’ hands are tied by a one-sentence Supreme Court ruling from 1972, which “upheld the right of the people of a state to define marriage as they see it.” Last year’s high court decision requiring the federal government to recognize legal same-sex marriages does not negate the earlier ruling as it... Continue Reading
7 Lessons Pastors Can Learn from the Mark Driscoll-Mars Hill Fallout
Whenever a pastor falls, especially one who is famous (or infamous), it affords the church in general and pastors specifically an opportunity to do some serious reflection.
“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness” (James 3:1). Being a pastor is not a right. It is a rather terrifying responsibility. Take time every day to reflect upon the fact that you will be judged by Jesus for how... Continue Reading
The Good Shepherd Vs The Humanist Chaplain
How can a Humanist Chaplain provide pastoral care?
It may be easy to borrow some of the ethics of Christianity and claim them for yourself when things are looking up. Go ahead and whip up your own version of potluck dinners, community, love, service, and all that good stuff, but you can’t even sing Kumbaya, “come by here,” on the good days. And... Continue Reading
Growing Reformed Churches: Doing The Simple Things
Our churches should be kind and gracious to newcomers
The rationalism and subjectivism of some of the plans for church growth and/or revival have left a bad taste in the mouths of confessionalists but there are some common sense, practical steps that confessional congregations can take to reduce unnecessary barriers and to make them more accessible both to those who do not yet know... Continue Reading
Pakistani Christian Couple Are Tortured and Burned to Death by Angry Mob
The accusations against them began after burned pages of the Quran were said to have been found in their trash.
According to Pakistan’s much-debated blasphemy laws, such accusations can be punishable by execution. But more often, blasphemy accusations end up leading to vigilante violence. Rights activists say such accusations are frequently used to settle personal vendettas or to harass religious minorities. Mere criticism of the blasphemy codes has even led to threats and violence. ... Continue Reading
What the Election Reveals About Us, and Why We Vote as We Do
Not only does our worldview determine behavior but the contrary is also true – our behavior often affects our worldview.
The illustration used by Weeden and Kurzban is very instructive. Young people who are involved in premarital sex, non-marital cohabitation, and recreational drugs develop a worldview to justify their activities. Of course, this is what all sinners do. Sinners want to justify their sin and in order to accomplish this they try to realign their... Continue Reading
The Vast, Vast Mercy of God
Sometimes we tend to focus on God’s judgments and forget his incredible mercy
God is unbelievably long-suffering and patient. Again and again and again he doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve. In his mercy he gives those who hate him opportunity after opportunity to repent before bringing judgment. God so longed to show us mercy he sent his only Son that whoever believes in him would have... Continue Reading
Two Changes I Wish the ESV Would Make
One is far more important than the other, but both would help the body of Christ in using the ESV.
I thought that I would have no problems in shifting to the newer ESV, but have come across two things that I wish translators would change in future editions. The first reason is vertically focused and deals with the way the ESV translators chose to refer to God when using pronouns. The second reason is... Continue Reading