Gay Marriage Bill Fails to Go to Vote in Illinois House
Advocates for same-sex marriage lacked the votes necessary to pass the bill
For years, gay rights activists in Illinois fought for legalization of civil unions while slowly working toward a marriage bill. The marriage bill got nowhere, but civil unions were legalized in 2011, giving gay couples across Illinois the opportunity to have the same state-level rights as married couples. After passage of the civil unions bill,... Continue Reading
Should I Start a Grassroots Movement to Change My Church?
You are at a church that doesn’t share your theology or seems to be heading in the wrong theological direction. So what should you do?
Please hear what I am saying and not saying. I’m not saying you shouldn’t talk to your pastor or work for change. I’m not saying the local congregation is the personal fiefdom for the pastor. I’m not saying pastors can’t learn much from laypeople in the congregation. What I am saying is that practically you... Continue Reading
Andy Stanley’s Poison Pill for the Doctrine of Scripture
We do not hold to the Dalmatian theory of inspiration—that Scripture is inspired in spots
Stanley says that his belief in Adam and Eve is not “because the Bible says so,” but because Jesus says so. The first and most obvious problem with this formulation is the fact that our only knowledge of what Jesus says comes to us from the Bible. There can be no bifurcation between “what the... Continue Reading
My Story in the White Ghetto
Why minority leadership is overlooked in White Christian churches & institutions.
Many white evangelicals are resistant to the fact that racism remains in contexts driven by “the gospel.” However, because sin still exists, there is no reason to believe that racism will simply magically disappear or that we simply need to “get over it” and “move on.” In evangelicalism, there is a strange tendency to confess... Continue Reading
From Stephen King to Francis Schaeffer: Cosmos “Suggests Intelligent Design”
King: "Everything is sort of built in a way that to me suggests intelligent design"
I choose to believe it. . . . I mean, there’s no downside to that. If you say, ‘Well, OK, I don’t believe in God. There’s no evidence of God,’ then you’re missing the stars in the sky and you’re missing the sunrises and sunsets and you’re missing the fact that bees pollinate all these... Continue Reading
Motivations in Sanctification
Among Reformed Christians there have been many recent debates about sanctification which revolve around the motivation of sanctification
Truth be told, I have some pastoral concerns with regard to the teaching that there is only one legitimate motivation for Christians in their pursuit of holiness. But first, it’s probably helpful to define this view so that we can better understand it. Some teach that the only motivation for sanctification and the pursuit of... Continue Reading
The Bikini Question
Let’s make a commitment this summer to ditch the skimpy swimsuits, earn self respect, and help our brothers in Christ
So really, how hard is it to not wear a bikini? If you’re like me, it might be a little disappointing. You also might have to save a little more babysitting money to buy a cute (yes, cute ones do exist) tankini or one piece. But honestly, a little disappointment and a little extra cash... Continue Reading
Accepting “No” as God’s Will
Prayers are always to be requests made in humility and submission to the Father’s will.
The prayer of faith is not a demand that we place on God. It is not a presumption of a granted request. The authentic prayer of faith is one that models Jesus’ prayer. It is always uttered in a spirit of subordination. In all our prayers, we must let God be God. No one tells... Continue Reading
Why I Like to Sit by Young Children and Why You Should Too
Finding joy in traveling beside little ones
Flying by a young family gives me an opportunity to serve. Travel is an irregularity from a normal and healthy pattern of life. Waitresses serve you meals; skycaps scurry to help with your luggage; bellmen are at the ready to tend to your baggage; and flight attendants hustle at the press of a button. While... Continue Reading
Ruling Elder Participation at General Assembly
Report by the AC Subcommittee
PURPOSE: To examine issues related to decreasing Ruling Elder attendance at General Assembly and recommend changes designed to reverse this trend, which may serve to decrease the costs of attending General Assembly. The AC Subcommittee on Ruling Elder Participation at General Assembly met at 9:00 a.m. on October 3, 2012 at the Westin Hotel, Atlanta... Continue Reading