The Significance of the Book of Common Prayer
An interview with J.I. Packer on the BCP for daily devotions and Sunday worship.
Think about the BCP as the Bible orchestrated for worship – when you take the Prayer Book apart, just about every phrase echoes something in Scripture. And the BCP is the Bible orchestrated for worship much more fully than any modern alternative than I have seen as yet. Think of the difference between a full... Continue Reading
It’s Gonna Be Loud. And Bright. And Glorious.
Nothing secret and silent here.
As a young Christiain I watched a number of movies about this secret rapture. I particularly remember one called “A Thief in the Night.” The opening scene shows a young woman waking up with the radio on announcing the sudden worldwide disappearance of thousands. She calls out for her husband a couple times, gets no... Continue Reading
Ekklesia: The Called-Out Ones
Don’t forget the corporate thing.
The Greek word that is translated as “church” in the Bible is ekklesia. This word is made up of a prefix and a root. The prefix is ek or ex, which means “out of ” or “from.” The root word is a form of the verb kaleo, which means “to call.” Thus, ekklesia means “those... Continue Reading
When So Much Is Against Us
The blindness of the world’s cruel kindness
She and her husband would do anything to save their son, that is, on the condition that “he could have a good quality of life.” Before he was even born he had to meet some stone-hard expectations. When they determined their son wouldn’t measure up, the family pediatrician pronounced the boy’s death sentence: “Termination is... Continue Reading
Should Pastors Separate the Christian Wedding Ceremony from the Civil Rite?
Four opinions on the church’s role in weddings.
Thus, Calvin set a pattern linking religious and civil marriage that persists in America today. Perhaps the time has come, however, for pastors to rethink this position. Some leaders, including D. A. Carson, have already declared their preference for more clearly differentiating between civil and religious marriage, citing practices in other nations, particularly France. U.S.... Continue Reading
An “Illiberal” Liberalism: Why Black Folk Can’t Get Ahead
It's not what you say; it's how you say it
If we dig more deeply beneath the surface of liberal rhetorical style, we would discover that not all public policies developed under the banner of “liberal” are helpful in addressing African American core concerns. In fact, some are destructive. Many who claim to be “liberal” push public policies that work against empowerment and encourage dependency,... Continue Reading
Reaching Muslims with the Gospel of God
An Interview with Abdul Saleeb
What is the single biggest misunderstanding about Christianity among Muslims? AS: That Christianity has been corrupted (starting from the Apostle Paul and continuing throughout church history) and no longer reflects the teachings of Jesus. Muslims charge that not only has the Bible been tampered with and corrupted but that Christian beliefs in the doctrine of... Continue Reading
Why We Don’t Model Biblical Characters
Thoughts on Iain Duguid's commentary: Esther & Ruth
Duguid sums up well what Esther cooperatively does for the sake of the empire. “She was willing to be poked and prodded, perfumed and prepared over a period of twelve months for her one night stand in the royal bedroom” (29). “We would hardly coin the slogan ‘Dare to be an Esther’ at this point... Continue Reading
My Thoughts on the 2013 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America
What struck me as unique about this GA was the party spirit of those in control of things
There was little mood for unity evidenced by anybody at this GA. The mood was set by the opening sermon by the outgoing moderator, Mike Ross. It was a provocative sermon on the sin of conservatism. Rev. Ross has always been one of those whose style from the pulpit is confrontational; in any other context... Continue Reading
Supreme Court or Bible?
Following the Bible as the authority on marriage does not mean Christians hate homosexuals
I’m for the biblical understanding of marriage not for personal or political reasons but as a matter of faith. I believe God is smarter than we are and even smarter than the Supreme Court. I believe the Bible is God’s Word, and when the Bible states something clearly we are supremely arrogant not to follow... Continue Reading