The Theological Significance Of The Eighth Day
There is a divinely invested theological significance to the eighth day in Scripture
“On a seven day week, the first and the eighth are essentially the same day, with this one difference–the eighth day represents the re-creation or new creation. If you were an Old Covenant Israelite, reading the divine prescriptions concerning the observance of the Old Covenant ceremonies, you would be compelled to ask the question, “Why, if... Continue Reading
The Problem of Plagiarizing by Pastors and Christian Leaders
While most pastors I know are men of honesty and integrity, it’s a sad truth that the problem of pastors plagiarizing is more wide spread than many realize
“I know that a pastor’s life is very busy and that the temptation to take shortcuts in preparing sermons is very real. That doesn’t change the fact that God is never in the dark. He is always watching. “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out”... Continue Reading
To Your Tents O Israel: A 30-Year Retrospective on Roy Honeycutt’s Holy War Sermon
On August 28, 1984 Southern Seminary president Roy Honeycutt preached “To Your Tents O Israel,” a sermon that landed in the SBC like a bombshell
“Honeycutt’s sermon came two months after the epic 1984 SBC meeting in Kansas City, Missouri, where over 17,000 SBC messengers gathered, with 52% voting to elect conservative Charles Stanley as SBC president. Stanley’s election—and other acts of conservative muscle-flexing at the SBC meeting, including a resolution on women in ministry and an attempt to defund... Continue Reading
A Sobering Mercy
The second time I surrendered to Christ, I was on a dirt road with no memory of how I had arrived there
“During the first six years of our marriage, I taught full-time and pursued research. Promotions came quickly, as did publications and grants. But despite the blessings of a lovely wife, two children, and professional success, no rest came to my soul. To fill the void I began to drink heavily. Although most people didn’t know... Continue Reading
The Pillar Of The Truth
Paul’s letter to Timothy shows us just how important the gospel is for the church, but equally how important the church is for the gospel
“The church, formed by the gospel, is for the gospel, and by her life and witness, she commends the gospel and is the primary apologetic for the gospel before the world. John Stott, in his commentary on 1 Timothy and Titus, put it well when he wrote, “The church depends on the truth for its... Continue Reading
Is It Time To Remove The Flag From The Church Sanctuary?
Symbols of secular empires should not share the same stage where the Prince of Peace is worshiped
“The practice of displaying an American flag in church sanctuaries seems to be wide-spread and for the most part, completely unchallenged by the average church member. As one who studies the intersection of faith and culture, I have found over time that culture has a way of creeping into our faith slowly and undetected. As... Continue Reading
Ministry Transitions in the PCA
Various pastoral changes within the PCA
Recently byFaith magazine published a list of ministry transitions within the PCA. Of note is Rod May’s move from coordinator of Reformed University Ministries to executive pastor of Mitchell Road PC in Greenville, SC. Also Thomas Cannon’s transition from pastor of Red Mountain Church in Birmingham, AL to coordinator of Reformed University Ministries. Mike Aitcheson,... Continue Reading
Was Jesus a Law Hater? A Law Corrector?
There are some who mistakenly think that Christ in the Sermon on the Mount expounds a new and improved moral code.
Christ was not a law-hater; and any disciple of Jesus will not want to cross him in this attitude. Rather than being a law-hater, Jesus was a law-corrector—He came to fulfill the law and to put it back in proper light. Let me conclude with this. Christ honors the Law. The Pharisees thought they did.... Continue Reading
Is Divorce Equivalent to Homosexuality?
The argument is that conservative Protestants already embrace a “third way” because we’ve done so on divorce.
But our attitude should not be that so many have shirked their churchly responsibility in some things, so let’s then shirk our responsibilities in everything. That would be the equivalent of someone saying, “Since I have had lust in my heart, which Jesus identified as root adultery, I should go ahead and have an affair”... Continue Reading
Gospel Impact and the World’s Approval
Paul did not immerse himself in unbelieving “culture” in order to reach them
Paul had evidently spent some time studying the religion of Athens, and he used that knowledge to present the gospel in the best way possible, but what Paul thought about this religious culture is enlightening. Verse 16 reveals that Paul was “provoked” (parōxyneto) by the culture he saw in Athens. He did not adopt their... Continue Reading