Heroes and Villains
Can we learn from those with whom we disagree?
Over the years, I have made no secret of the fact that many of the theologians I most enjoy reading and by whom I have been most influenced have been those with whom I have fundamental disagreements. I love Luther’s existential power and his grasp of justification by grace through faith. I cannot agree with... Continue Reading
Five Ways to Lead Your Wife
Husbands tend to fall into one of two errors. Some are too passive, others are too domineering or controlling.
When many of us hear the language of headship, we immediately think of our worst experiences at the hands of authority figures: a bad-tempered boss, an aggressive coach, an abusive father, a despotic minister, an egomaniacal politician, and so on. However, we’ve got to put these images out of our minds, and think only of... Continue Reading
Houston Subpoenas Pastors’ Sermons, Then Backs Off Amidst Outcry
Pastors had slammed demand from Mayor Annise Parker, city as a threat to religious freedom
The statement says the city will “move to narrow the scope during an upcoming court hearing” and that city attorney David Feldman “says the focus should be only on communications related to the petitions to overturn the ordinance.” Joe La Rue, legal counsel for the Alliance Defending Freedom, which has moved to quash the subpoenas,... Continue Reading
Why Brittany Maynard’s Choice To Die Is Not Personal Or Private
Brittany is missing a critical factor in her formula for death: God
Life is the most irreplaceable and fundamental condition of the human experience, and I implore Brittany and others considering her example to take a long, hard look at the consequences of a decision that is so fatal, and worst of all, so final. (RNS) It has been heartbreaking these last few days to hear the... Continue Reading
The Next Culture War
The battle over same-sex marriage is drawing to a close. What will we fight about now?
The next culture war will look very different from the old one. But whether it is about religious liberty or marriage and the family or who gets to define American identity, we can be sure of one thing: It will be fiercely fought. The battle for same-sex civil marriage in the United States isn’t... Continue Reading
The Deadly Deception of Sexual Atheism in the Church
In a recent study Christian singles, 18 to 59, were asked, "Would you have sex before marriage?" The response? Sixty-three percent of the single Christian said yes.
It is equally honest to say that nearly nine out of 10 self-proclaimed single Christians are, in practice, sexual atheists. In other words, God has nothing to say to them on that subject of any consequence or, at least, anything meaningful enough to dissuade them from following their own course of conduct. It is the ultimate oxymoron. ... Continue Reading
Southern Seminary Trustees Accept Gift Of Wisconsin University Campus
Southern Board of Trustees accepts the gift of Northland International University campus in Dunbar, Wisconsin
Northland International University, an evangelical Christian school located in Dunbar, Wisconsin, will become the first campus outside of Louisville for Boyce College, Southern’s undergraduate school. The action is effective Aug. 1, 2015. “The fact that there will be a Boyce College and Southern Seminary campus located in Wisconsin on a campus of this stature is... Continue Reading
If Your Pastor Has A $60k A Year Clothing Allowance, You Probably Should Leave That Church
The personal excesses in ministry harm the proclamation of the gospel
As a 51-year-old I’ve had it with the Christian Glitterati obsessed with “success” using ministry as a means to get rich, wear Rolexes and play like they’re Ryan Seacrest. Our world is going to hell and the last thing we need is a preening pastor with a histrionic personality disorder. Last Thursday evening I... Continue Reading
5 Reasons Why I Am Not a New Calvinist
The missing element in the New Calvinism: ecclesiology
To sum, I am not persuaded that we can have Calvinistic soteriology (or even a Calvinistic “big God”) without a Calvinistic church. To abstract theology from ecclesiology is a foreign concept in the minds of the Reformers. Therefore, as Geerhardus Vos said in another context, “To our taste the old wine is better.” John... Continue Reading
Sandy Hook Commission Calls for Homeschool Oversight
A Connecticut government task force wants to give special educators with public schools the power to veto homeschooling parents’ education plans
Under the proposed recommendations, parents of homeschooled children with behavioral and emotional problems would have to submit individualized education plans to the special education director of the local school district. They could lose the right to homeschool if those plans weren’t approved or if regular progress reports were deemed unsatisfactory. (WNS)–A Connecticut government task... Continue Reading