Common Problems In Modern Preaching
These lists are offered in the hopes that these problems might be noted and avoided by preachers in the future!
Modern preaching has its own problems, and while there are some commonalities, there are differences between the problems you are likely to see in reformed and non-reformed preaching. Here then are my observations on the common problems in both camps, I should stress this is just my opinion and is not intended to be exhaustive,... Continue Reading
Following the Emerging (Jazzy Blue) Heard
How we think about the church matters. Ultimately, the church is God’s idea, not ours.
How many times have people gone into a local church and complained that the pastor preaching does not sound like their favorite conservative Bible teacher on the radio? A lot of “traditionalist” folks can look to their favorite Christian celebrity in the media and get frustrated that their local church does not look like so-in-so’s... Continue Reading
To My Fellow Millenials: Christian Persecution is a Social Justice Issue
Among Millennials, the term “persecution” is a dirty word when applied to Christians.
Millennial evangelicals have big hearts. We know that social justice is an important facet of Christianity. So why are we ignoring the voices of our brothers and sisters in Christ who are being harassed, kidnapped, arrested, beaten, beheaded, and burned alive for their faith? Did you ever imagine a hashtag could help spread the... Continue Reading
Anti-Catholic or Pro-Gospel?
There is a vast gulf between justification as the Bible teaches it and justification as Rome teaches it.
As I read the canons of the Council of Trent I see a systematic explanation and thorough denial of justification by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. I see that Rome understands what I believe and declares it anathema. Of course it is her right to do this, but let’s not miss some important... Continue Reading
Can We Trade Sexual Morality for Church Growth?
From time to time we hear some telling us that evangelical Christianity must retool our sexual ethic if we're ever going to reach the next generation.
You can’t grow a Christian church by being sub-Christian. That’s why there are no booming Arian or Unitarian or Episcopal Church (USA) church-planting movements. But even if it “worked” to negotiate away sexual morality for church growth, we wouldn’t do it. We can only reach Millennials, and anyone else, by reaching them with the gospel,... Continue Reading
Can We Think Our Way To God?
We do not think or feel or way to God; instead, we are introduced to God by the Holy Spirit.
If you are a Christian, you neither thought nor felt your way to God. God, by the Holy Spirit, revealed himself to you. At his initiative, you saw both your sin and the forgiveness available through the cross of Christ. But that revealing work of the Spirit is not finished. Paul prays for Christians that God would... Continue Reading
The Legacy I Want to Leave
A new and focused passion to help people really see the riches of God’s word for themselves
Knowing that God himself has spoken fully and inerrantly in the Bible leads us to look and look and look — undistractingly, assiduously, persistently, prayerfully, desperately — until we see, and until our hearts burn. As Martin Luther said, we beat on the text with our eyes and our mind and our heart and our... Continue Reading
Derek Webb and Sandra McCracken’s Divorce Announcement Rocks Christian Artist Community
Webb and McCracken announced on April 17 that their 13-year marriage was ending after an affair
Those who know the couple say Webb was involved with another woman. According to court documents related to the other woman’s pending divorce, the two were involved as early as last August, just as his latest album, “I Was Wrong, I’m Sorry & I Love You,” was released. He told the Christian Broadcasting Network he made the album... Continue Reading
Three Cheers for a Bit of Back and Forth
Trying to distinguish between "success" and "fruitfulness” in ministry
Whatever the case, for me at least, faithfulness is the key. It is where I must remain focused. And an indispensable component of that faithfulness is to labor and pray for what God surely desires: a great harvest of souls for God’s glory and the gladness of His church. I am not quite as... Continue Reading
Running with King Nebuchadnezzar
Lessons learned: When running was fast becoming my life
I’m still running, but not in the dark…not for my glory…not for trophies. I’m back to the beginning and am running for my health and physical fitness and the pleasure of being outdoors in the world God created for us to enjoy. My morning runs (not early) are now a quiet time of prayer with... Continue Reading