Another Dark Christmas for Iraq’s Christians
At least 34 people died in bomb attacks in Christian areas, some by a car bomb near a church after a Christmas service
Hakim, head of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, a Shi’ite party that has sometimes allied with and sometimes opposed Maliki, rose after the sermon and spoke of tolerance, forgiveness and peace, saying Jesus Christ was an example. Then he turned to al Qaeda. “They target you like they target us. There are people in... Continue Reading
Dude, Where’s Your Gravitas?
Culture wants men to be featherweights, God wants men of gravitas
A man of gravitas fears God more than he fears man. So he is free to declare, “Thus says the Lord,” in direct opposition to the popular opinion of the unbelieving masses. His grounded confidence in God—in God’s word, God’s protection, and God’s promises—informs a courageous demeanor in the midst of a fallen world. ... Continue Reading
The 5 Points of Mattie Ross
The novel ‘True Grit’ is set in my lifelong home of Fort Smith and Mattie Ross was an ardent Southern Presbyterian.
The 5 Points of Mattie Ross … Good theology, a good read, or both? You decide. For me, I would have ridden into Indian Territory with her for the engaging conversation and theology lessons alone. Or, in the words of Mattie Ross, “There you have it. It was good for Paul and Silas and it... Continue Reading
Is the Bible infallible? The Southern Baptist Theologian Who Said No, and Why: William Hull
William E. Hull was a gifted teacher, administrator, and preacher; not many pull off all three of these
For years, Hull also tried to bridge differences between conservatives and moderates in the Southern Baptist Convention. “He was one of the most consequential Baptist leaders of the last 100 years,” said Beeson Divinity School Dean Timothy George. “He was filled with hope. It was a hope grounded in God’s loving purpose for all creation.”... Continue Reading
I Offended You? So What?
No one has a right not to be offended
But when you say that you are offended, all that you are doing is telling us how you are emotionally responding to what I am saying. I already conceded that we all struggle with our emotions in this kind of conversation, both in my original talk and just a moment ago, so you aren’t adding... Continue Reading
Rightly Dieting (?) but Wrongly Dividing the Word of Truth
Does Daniel 1 present God’s diet plan for lifestyle living today?
Rick Warren somehow finds a different understanding: “But Daniel knew this wouldn’t be a healthy diet, so he asked that he and three of his friends be allowed to eat healthier…. [H]e understood God wanted him to live a healthy lifestyle so he could serve God no matter where he was located.” Warren’s reading of... Continue Reading
Is ‘Duck Dynasty’ the Next SBC Cause?
After initial outrage over comments about homosexuality, debate has turned to “Duck Dynasty” patriarch Phil Robertson’s views on race.
Dwight McKissicMcKissic, who is black, also criticized the NAACP for taking “Duck Dynasty” patriarch Phil Robertson’s “innocent racial remarks regarding relationship that he had with blacks on the bayous of Louisiana during his earlier years and spinning it into some kind of racial animus or insensitivity toward blacks during the Jim Crow era.” A... Continue Reading
In Awe of God’s Glory: An Interview with Joel Beeke
Joel Beeke answers questions about his life, his calling, and his ministry
Assurance of faith is the conviction that one belongs to Christ through faith, possesses saving grace, and will ultimately enjoy everlasting salvation. Roman Catholicism taught that assurance was arrogant and would promote carnal living. The Reformers and Puritans came to see that assurance was critical to experience fullness of peace; to avoid the ditch of... Continue Reading
Psalm 73 and The Pornographer
The vain life and then death of a pornographer
“I’m losing my teeth, and life sucks. … Christine and I broke up. 40 years is too big an age difference. … I’m old news, I’m yesterday’s paper on the bottom of a bird cage. … My son, I haven’t talked to in eight years … he didn’t invite me to graduation at Harvard.... Continue Reading
A Defense of Calvin’s Rejection of Christmas
I believe John Calvin was right that Christmas was a mere human invention
If my church history books are correct there was only one day that was celebrated faithfully in the early Church. It was the Lord’s Day. And people used to greet one another by saying “Jesus is risen.” Yes, every Sunday for them was (if you will pardon the expression) an ‘Easter.’ So I still think... Continue Reading