Is Religion Bad?
It may be shocking, trendy, and it may grab attention, but in the end stomping on the word “religion” isn’t overly helpful.
Among the many trends in the New Calvinism (or the Young Restless and Reformed movement) is the prominent dislike of the word “religion.” I’ve heard a lot of people speak and write about religion as being a moral straitjacket, rigid, and not Christian. They say religion is one thing, the gospel is another thing. Essentially... Continue Reading
Why Satan Hates Your Family
To understand God’s nature, God’s gospel, and God’s church, we first need to understand family.
Family teaches us about God’s nature, his gospel and his church, and family ministers to both the church and the world. No wonder, then, that Satan is always attacking the family and no wonder he will stop at nothing to attack your family. If he can destroy family, he can destroy these powerful metaphors and... Continue Reading
The Diversity Of Dismissals From The PC(USA)
FIrst Presbyterian Houston and Menlo Park Presbyterian were given dramatically different requirements for dismissal from the PC(USA)
According to the information on the church web site the payment to the presbytery will be $8.89 million if the congregation votes to accept the terms and request dismissal. Yes, it is 1.5 orders of magnitude larger than the terms that FPC Houston got. In addition, for FPC Houston the quorum requirement was 30% of... Continue Reading
David Dockery Named 15th President of Trinity International University
Trinity International University’s Board of Regents unanimously selected David S. Dockery to become its 15th president
Located in Deerfield, Ill., Trinity International University consists of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, one of the most highly respected evangelical institutions in the country; Trinity College, a liberal-arts based institution; Trinity Graduate School, with programs in such fields as biomedical ethics, leadership, and education; and Trinity Law School, located in Santa Ana, Calif. Total enrollment... Continue Reading
The Jesus Lens, or the Jesus Tea-Strainer?
When all is said and done, the biblical Jesus cannot be squeezed thorough the fine mesh of the progressive Jesus tea-strainer.
As such, I don’t think Steve Chalke, Brian McLaren, Tony Campolo, Rob Bell and co are reading the Bible through a Jesus lens, as much as they are reading Jesus through a selective, progressive postmodern lens, and then reading the rest of the Bible through that. The end result, ironically, is that while the Jesus... Continue Reading
Federal Judge Declares Texas Marriage Law Invalid
Garcia ruled the law violates the U.S. Constitution's equal protection and due process clauses
Texas voters approved the traditional marriage amendment in 2005 by a whopping 3-1 margin, the same support shared by an Oklahoma law struck down in January. Garcia said the U.S. Supreme Court “prohibits states from passing legislation born out of animosity against homosexuals.” The measure causes homosexual couples “irreparable harm,” he said, concluding “that no amount... Continue Reading
Instead of Me
A reflection I had while reading David Wells, God in the Whirlwind
In an eternal covenant the Son of God claimed that he was for me. And I do not remember the day that I turned to him in faith and repentance. In hindsight, I see his fingerprints all over the crime scenes of my life. The evidence says, “Not her, but me.” How is this so?... Continue Reading
Why I Don’t Observe Lent
The practice of self-denial is to be the daily experience of the believer.
What merit or benefit is there in abstaining from something which God Himself has given us to enjoy and to bless our lives? If something is sinful, we ought to abstain from it, fast from it, every hour of the day, every day of the week, and every week of the year. If something is... Continue Reading
How Do You Counsel A Pastor When It Is Time To Leave His Church?
An answer I sent to a pastor who has spent several years struggling through a very hard church
Dear brothers, the struggles of ministry are great and they take its toll on you, your soul, and your family. Suffering and difficulty is not a reason to walk away. But a weary, hurting soul that is totally spent in all areas of his life may need to walk away for a time, regroup, get some help... Continue Reading
We All Ban Books (Sort of)
Should pastors place boundaries around what books the ministry staff who report them may recommend?
Urging people away from certain books and insisting that ministry staff not recommend them is an important task of the pastor these days. This is particularly so in an age when theological nonsense is so widely distributed and easily attainable. It is the pastor’s duty to protect the purity and unity of the flock he... Continue Reading