Antinomianism
A review of Mark Jones' book: Antinomianism: Reformed Theology's Unwelcome Guest?
His insights concerning Christology are worth the price of admission. I had connected antinomianism with a truncated view of grace, but I had not taken it back one further step to Christology. Antinomians do have a truncated view of grace. God’s grace is saving me not only from sin’s guilt in justification, but also from... Continue Reading
The Gospel for a Gay Friend
Seven ideas to help share the gospel with those who are gay.
In one sense, there’s no real difference in the way we’d give Josh the good news compared to any other person. Just because Josh is sexually attracted to people of the same gender doesn’t make him foundationally different from anyone else. Josh had always known he was different. From his earliest memories, he looked... Continue Reading
Brothers, We Are Not Amateurs: A Plea for Ministry Preparation
One can be a faithful minister without a seminary degree, but one cannot be a faithful minister without knowing the Scripture.
A ministerial amateur is not one who lacks formal training or advanced degrees from reputable institutions. An amateur is one who lacks the knowledge base, skill set, and experience for a particular task, in this case Christian ministry. This is to say, one can still be an amateur though holding an earned degree, and one can be... Continue Reading
First Presbyterian Church-Houston Sets Feb. 23 Vote on Dismissal From PCUSA
11th largest PC(USA) church voting to leave denomination
“For 175 years, FPC has been called to be a Christ-centered church with a Reformed theology based on a historic interpretation of Scripture. In recent years, the PCUSA – our denominational home since 1983 – has drifted from that course in ways that often divert attention, foster division and weaken our message. We believe the... Continue Reading
How God Healed Me from My Abortion
One woman's story of abortion, forgiveness, and grace
People often wonder, “How can someone be so hateful and heartless to make a decision to kill your own baby?” I don’t tell this story so people will feel bad for me. I tell it so people might be able to see why someone would make this decision. No one should. But it’s easy for... Continue Reading
Just A Tiny Bit Of Arsenic
We must be vigilant as to what we allow into our hearts.
I once heard someone say that we are to be like gate keepers. We let in what is good and pure but shut out the wicked and impure. He said we can’t always help what comes up to the gate, but we can help what we let in and entertain. We can’t always help it when... Continue Reading
Sometimes You Just Have to Land the Plane
Refusing to land on a theological issue, though, while it may feel like a form of humility, may actually be a form of cowardice, a failure of leadership.
When a debate breaks out in your church about some theological issue, real leadership requires more than just laying out the main positions clearly and fairly. That’s a good skill, but people need to know what you think. They need you to lead them through the issue, wrestling fairly with the positions, and then reaching a... Continue Reading
Biblical and Theological Illiteracy in the Church
Unaware of what the Bible teaches and the Christian church has confessed, young people construct a theology congenial to themselves.
What lessons can we learn from these biblical examples? First, biblical literacy is important. Ignorance of Scripture is no basis for faithful Christian lives and congregations. Second, biblical literacy requires hard work. It doesn’t just happen. The word of God must be diligently read and taught. Like the Levites who worked with Ezra, we must... Continue Reading
When You’re at Your Best, Plan for Your Worst
The wise Christian fights sin even when sin seems distant and dormant.
I do not consider myself particularly prone to the temptation of pornography. I can sit at a computer early in the morning or late at night and not feel any pull to abuse the privilege. Not at this point. And yet, I explained to my son, I treat myself as one who is disposed to... Continue Reading
Community without Christ?
The atheist church movement has barely been born and already it has split.
Their mission statement declares: “The Sunday Assembly is a godless congregation that celebrate life. Our motto: live better, help often, wonder more. Our mission: to help everyone find and fulfill their full potential. Our vision: a godless congregation in every town, city and village that wants one.” Live better, help often, wonder more? They have... Continue Reading