Why We Need Denominations
On issues that aren’t the gospel and don’t pertain to the gospel, Christians have this wild freedom to lovingly differ with their brothers and sisters.
Within the realm of orthodox Christianity, denominations are the result of brothers and sisters disagreeing on secondary issues. Though we all rally around the preeminence of the Gospel (and are thus united), we differ on doctrines that are not of first importance. And so, there are multiple expressions of “the faith that was once for... Continue Reading
How to Be Better Bereans (1&2 of 3)
Nobility is measured not by titles, land, parentage, wealth, or degrees, but by how we handle the word of God
Why do we check email compulsively? Or Facebook? Or Twitter? Or the old fashioned mailbox? Because we believe there is news for us—there’s something there. Someone may have just put up a sweet video of a cat or a status update about someone who made a nice lemonade. Really important stuff like that. We check... Continue Reading
The Evangelical Work Ethic
Forget Weber. We don’t need social science to know that God cares about our work
Our culture’s hunger for meaning and dignity in everyday work is a window through which Christians can shine the light of the gospel. No civilization can grow and flourish when its people spend the vast majority of their waking hours in an activity they find meaningless. The deepest root of our economic crisis is that... Continue Reading
Zorro and the Musketeers
People seen at the Reformation Worship Conference at Midway Presbyterian Church
I was reminded of how much I owe to their writings. T. David Gordon’s two works, Why Johnny Can’t Preach and Why Johnny Can’t Sing Hymns are brilliant examples of how the author blends theology, churchmanship and media ecology… into a critique of contemporary church life. David Hall may not be as well known as T. David, but he... Continue Reading
Heart-Warming Calvinism
Calvinism is not first a theological system; it is more a “religious attitude,” that gives birth to a particular, precise, but gloriously God-centred and heart-engaging system of theology
What then are the evident marks of experimental Calvinism? Calvinism is not a theological theory, a religious philosophy that compels the mind but leaves the shape of your life untouched and unmoved. Biblical truth reforms and re-styles the believer’s life. So with Calvinism, it leaves it indelible marks wherever it takes root in a person’s... Continue Reading
I’m Done Fixing the Church: Turning the Future Over to God
A major reason for our misguided attempts to fix the church is a misunderstanding of our role as clergy
Looking at my role in this vision, I find myself discovering more and more there is no place for my feeble attempts to fix the church; rather, God is calling me to be faithful to the role of spiritual leader. Now more than ever, the church needs faithful pastors who are willing to be spiritual... Continue Reading
The United Miracle: A Mainline Seminary Turns from Liberalism to Orthodoxy
From just another declining, has-been mainline seminary, facing ominous financial hardships, dominated by Scripture-demoting theological liberalism to one committed to a high view of biblical authority
In a recent newspaper interview, she declared that “it’s time for a cultural shift in the life of the mainline denominations,” highlighted the failure of vaguely affirming, low-commitment, offense-avoiding ways of doing church, and commended the example of thriving congregations characterized by “dynamic, relevant worship services that are attractive to young people,” “sound biblical and... Continue Reading
Hospital for Sinners
The Church is a hospital, not a museum of saints
What would you think if you saw someone at the country club on a gurney with an IV in their arm? You would immediately conclude they have the wrong address. They belong at the hospital. I wonder how many people show up in our churches on a given Sunday thinking they are coming to a... Continue Reading
Satan Sightings
As the ruler of this age Satan uses people and means to tempt and distort
There are those who believe it necessary to discern whether a hindrance is of God or of the devil. I’m not sure we need to pin it down. The reconnaissance report given us in Scripture alerts us to our spiritual enemy, his character, his schemes and tactics, and his goals. We don’t have to know... Continue Reading
Politics in the Pulpit?
Is it wise for pastors to endorse political candidates from the pulpit?
The goal of preaching is simply this: to proclaim the life-saving Gospel of Jesus Christ, and then to edify, comfort, encourage, and confront the congregation with God’s Word. Yes, this will include the ethical implications of God’s Law, which will inevitably lead churchgoers to draw certain conclusions on how to vote. There is nothing wrong... Continue Reading