Dressing Down For Church
Shouldn’t church be the most important event of the week for everybody, at least as important as a wedding or other celebration?
Maybe dressing down is effective outreach for audiences unaccustomed to church formality. But most in these same audiences probably still dress up for weddings, funerals, graduations and events they regard as significant. Evidently worship no longer counts as that significant to merit respectful dress. It once was a redeeming quality for traditional once Mainline Protestant... Continue Reading
Largest Presbyterian Church in Texas Sees Hope in New Conservative Affiliation
Highland Park Presbyterian Church of Dallas is encouraged by its new affiliation with the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians
In September, Highland Park filed suit against Grace Presbytery, seeking legal confirmation that they could keep their property if they ended their voluntary affiliation. Later that month, the leadership of Highland Park unanimously passed a resolution recommending that the congregation end its affiliation with PC (USA). In late October, a resolution to end their affiliation... Continue Reading
God Came Down
Even before he assumed a human nature, the Son of God was still the mediator between God and man.
It is amazing to contemplate the wonder of the condescension of God to man. The almighty God has humbled himself to assume human properties so that he can reveal himself to us, to even ”relate to us in a way that would be suitable to who we are” (212), and he ultimately humiliates himself beyond... Continue Reading
Understanding Emergent Theology – part 2
Particularly odious to Emergents is the Protestant doctrine of Sola Scriptura
Reformed theology emphasizes Scripture’s perspicuity – ironically, this word means “clarity”! The Reformers championed the common Christian’s right of access to and ability to understand the Bible. Emergents appreciate this effort. However, they believe that to insist that Scripture alone is God’s authoritative Word to mankind is to drown out God’s speaking through other aspects... Continue Reading
Dr. Charlie Wingard Joins RTS Jackson Faculty
Wingard has been elected as assistant professor of practical theology at RTS’s Jackson campus
Wingard has been serving as the Senior Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Huntsville, Ala., since 2005. He also served churches in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Massachusetts…. He received a B.A. in Political Science from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn., a Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School, and a Doctor of... Continue Reading
The Visionary Worrywart
Worriers are always looking to the future—a future that is tragic and brutal.
Finally, worriers are immune to reason. As worry is added to worry, as anxiety compounds and leads to irrational behavior, loved ones try to help. They explain that worry has never accomplished anything or ever made a situation any better; they show and explain that worry is more like astrology than prophecy. When nothing else... Continue Reading
Ted Haggard on How Not to Repent
Haggard used the recent suicide of another megachurch pastor’s son, Isaac Hunter, to continue his attempts at resurrecting his name, reputation, and ministry.
So why highlight it? First, because it will help us to spot these characteristics when dealing with others who have fallen into public sin and scandal. Sadly, there are predictable patterns to these things that we’d do well to acquaint ourselves with so that we are not duped. And second, because we can use it... Continue Reading
One of the Biggest Deterrents to Personal Evangelism
It takes time to talk to others about Jesus.
God can save people immediately. He has done it in the past and he will continue to do so. However, there are times when he chooses to plant seeds over an extended period of time. It may take months, even years–it requires time. Are you willing to spend the time it takes to befriend unbelievers, plant the seed... Continue Reading
After Boy Scouts’ Vote to Admit Gay Youths, Rival Group Takes Root
Trail Life USA, a new alternative to the Boy Scouts of America, is starting to take off in Texas and across the nation
In its structure, Trail Life isn’t reinventing the wheel. It patterns itself after the Boy Scouts with uniforms, awards for completing projects, military-style ranks, and an outdoor orientation. While Trail Life’s program is openly Christian, leaders insist that members of other faith groups are welcome. But boys who openly admit being gay cannot join. “This... Continue Reading
What Does the X in Xmas Mean?
The X in Christmas is used like an initial
We see the English letter X there, but actually what it involves is the first letter of the Greek name for Christ. Christos is the New Testament Greek for Christ. The first letter of the Greek word Christos is transliterated into our alphabet as an X. That X has come through church history to be... Continue Reading