The Heresy of Perfectionism
If we think we are becoming perfect, then we are far from becoming perfect.
Inevitably the error of perfectionism breeds one, or usually two, deadly delusions. To convince ourselves that we have achieved sinlessness, we must either suffer from a radical overestimation of our moral performance or we must seriously underestimate the requirements of God’s law. The irony of perfectionism is this: Though it seeks to distance itself from... Continue Reading
Being a Pastor and Speaking Out in Today’s Culture
Is it right that pastors should remain silent about important matters in society
Is a pastor solely limited to sharing the Gospel to his flock on Sunday mornings? Or was the late Dr. John Stott right that one of our identities as Gospel preachers, in a faithful Biblical portrait of a pastor, is a “herald”? The pastor is not a prophet, yet he most certainly does carry a... Continue Reading
The Loss of the Historical Adam and the Death of Exegesis
Forsaking exegesis: separating “the Christ event” from its backstory changes the story itself
If Adam is mythical, then so is redemption. While it does not follow that if Adam is mythical, then the historicity of Jesus must also be denied, it does follow that if Adam is mythical, then the historicity of Jesus as Second Adam must be denied. And Christianity is founded on Jesus as Second Adam. Modern... Continue Reading
Why the Cross Is Loving
The cross was an instrument of torture and death, why do we call it “wondrous” and “mighty”?
Jesus’ death was beautiful and loving and good because it was for us in a very specific way: He was found guilty of our sin, took the punishment we deserve. He bore our griefs, our sorrows, our iniquities. He did not lay down his life to make a general point about passive resistance, or to... Continue Reading
Have American Parents Got It All Backwards?
We hold some basic truths as self-evident when it comes to good parenting, are they valid?
Even more surprising: She’s found that the same holds for Western students here in the US: adolescents who feel responsible to their families tend to do better in school. The lesson for us: if you want to help your adolescent do well in school make them feel obligated. Author of Parenting Without Borders: Surprising Lessons... Continue Reading
Low Bar, High Failure in Community Colleges
Community colleges set a low bar for students during their first year of enrollment
Inadequate standards hurt students’ chances of succeeding in the job market, according to the report. But there are no simple fixes for this problem, the study said. That’s because community colleges likely are reacting to the inadequate academic preparation of incoming students, a majority of whom require remedial coursework in college. Community colleges set... Continue Reading
The Big Same-Sex Marriage Lie
They do want to change this basic institution of marriage
Radical advocates of same-sex marriage don’t think marriage should exist, at least not as a state-sponsored institution. They think marriage is simply an intense emotional union — whatever sort of interpersonal relationship consenting adults want it to be. Their victory would leave marriage with no essential features, no fixed core as a social reality. And... Continue Reading
Texas Teen Points to Heavens, Gets 4×100 Relay Squad Banned From State Championships
Pointing his finger to the heavens after winning the race disqualifies the runner and his relay team
Once officials at the Columbus meet determined that Hayes had violated the excessive celebration rules, the entire 4×100 meter squad was disqualified and effectively barred from the state championships. The team will not get another chance to qualify for the meet. “He put his hand by his ear and pointed to the heavens,” Hayes’ father,... Continue Reading
The $500,000 Housecleaning
When a Os and Jenny Guinness discovered that their townhouse was infested with mold, it was the start of an arduous, expensive multiyear cleanup
In 2008, Ms. Guinness and her husband, Os, discovered that their townhouse in a suburb of Washington was contaminated with stachybotrys—also known as black mold. That launched a painstaking five-year renovation that cost as much as the couple originally paid for the house and involved ripping out walls, replacing many of the finishes and sterilizing... Continue Reading
My Inheritance from My Mother
A mother in her final days in a nursing home and the impact she made by intentionally and prayerfully loving others as herself despite failing health
The first time I ate with Mom at The Home I looked at her, held her hand, and asked her to say grace. I expected her to thank God for the food, and I expected her to pray for her own needs as she recovered from surgery. But instead, I heard her say, “Father, help... Continue Reading