A Problem in Evangelicalism: Narcissistic Leaders
The ministry is one of the most appealing professions for a narcissist.
The general success in creating a favorable impression makes the narcissistic element among Evangelical leadership extremely influential. They are the most loved preacher of the largest church. The most commonly quoted author of the best selling books. It is this characteristic that gives narcissists an inordinate impact on American Evangelicalism. Narcissists generally put more energy... Continue Reading
On Weddings and Conscience: Are Christians Hypocrites?
Conservative Christians accused of hypocrisy and unchristian behavior for suggesting their consciences won’t allow them to use their creative gifts to help celebrate same-sex weddings
We might debate the best ways to see to it that consciences are protected by law and in the courts. But acting as though those concerned about such things are the reincarnation of Jim Crow is unworthy of this discussion. Moreover, the implications for conscience protection are broad and long-lasting. This isn’t just a tit-for-tat... Continue Reading
What Does “Give Us this Day Our Daily Bread” Mean?
When we pray in general, the only way we will see the hand of God’s providence is in general
This petition of the Lord’s Prayer, then, teaches us to come to God in a spirit of humble dependence, asking Him to provide what we need and to sustain us from day to day. We are not given license to ask for great riches, but we are encouraged to make our needs known to Him,... Continue Reading
Playing with Lenten Fire
Protestants don’t just spend forty days a year denying self; it is daily and year round through the means of grace
Lent has significance for Roman Catholics that it cannot have for Protestants. After all, Protestants don’t have a history of self-inflicted pain to merit spiritual rewards. If as the gospel allies would have it that Lent is to remind us of Christ, then we should also be reminded that nothing we do to attack sin... Continue Reading
Abortion and Free Speech: The Granny Who Will Not Be Silenced
A grandmother’s strong stand against abortion and Massachusetts’ attorney general’s resolve to enforce a buffer zone law, have brought both of them before the Supreme Court
The case law on freedom of speech is well developed and clear. Citizens have a right to speech and expression free from governmental interference. However, speech is not an absolute right. It may be restricted in some instances. When a court judicially reviews regulations of speech, it will only allow it if the restraints on... Continue Reading
Count Your Blessings, Name Them One by One
Facing an operation with trepidation and trust
God, who has a sense of humor, removed my fourth and last concern. The nurse came in with a magic marker and wrote a big black “NO” on my right knee. The surgery was to be on my left knee. The doctor will not be able to miss the “NO” sign! One by one God... Continue Reading
The False Teachers: Pelagius
Considering the false teachings of a man with many modern adherents
Contrary to Augustine, “Pelagius taught that human beings have a natural capacity to reject evil and seek God, that Christ’s admonition, Be ye perfect, presupposes this capacity, and that grace is the natural ability given by God to seek and to serve God.” Last week I set out on a new series of articles... Continue Reading
The In Between
When loved ones are lost, there are moments of both remembering and forgetting
I will not pretend that my wife or my daughter were Enochs, who walked with God, and then were no more. Instead I will continue to be haunted. I will continue to walk where they walked. And He will continue to walk with me. There lies not a thin line but a great open plain... Continue Reading
Longman and Carson on Commentaries
A review of Longman's OT Commentary Survey, and Carson's NT Commentary Survey
The subject of bibliography has always been a favorite of mine, and that of commentaries in particular. I have my own commentary recommendations here. So, I picked up the recent editions (both published in 2013) of Longman’s Old Testament Commentary Survey and Carson’s New Testament Commentary Survey. I will start off with Carson’s survey,... Continue Reading
What Does Paul Mean by “Falling from Grace”?
What does it mean to "fall from grace"? How do we understand these terms, if we're confident that believers can't lose our salvation?
“Grace” then would seem to me to refer here, not as shorthand for any one person’s individual salvation, (although I grant that it is sometimes used that way) but rather the broader “grace” of being a community of believers in covenant with the gracious Christ of the Gospel. By becoming heretical, the Galatians are at... Continue Reading