We may join Whitefield, moving casually back and forth from new birth to justification! Isn’t that timely for the proclamation of the gospel? Aren’t people much more conscious that their lives need changing than that they need forgiveness? Don’t they yearn more deeply for transformation than for justification?

The term “living the gospel” has become a popular one in the past few years, being used by people such as Tim Keller, J.D. Greear, David Platt, and many others. Many variations on the term exist: “living out the gospel,” “living in light of the gospel,” “being the gospel,” and so on. While most people probably hear the terms and skip right past them without a second thought, there are others who have repeatedly and loudly declared opposition to all such uses of the term.

In many ways, Sandra Tsing Loh and I couldn’t be more different. The Atlantic writer is feminist, liberal, foul-mouthed, and cosmopolitan. At 50 years old, she has a successful career and a boyfriend. I, on the other hand, am not too many steps removed from what my college friend called “a prairie muffin.” You know, the stay-at-home Christian mom who bakes whole wheat goodies while wearing a modest denim dress.

At the end of the day, we do not have access to an unmediated Jesus. Jesus didn’t write a single New Testament book. We know Jesus because of the apostolic word handed down to us in the scriptures. Thus, to play Jesus off against his appointed spokesmen is a contest that neither Jesus nor the... Continue Reading

Let's be honest. There are too many power struggles in the local church. Gospel ministry easily becomes politicized. Pride causes you to hunger for power (even though you may not know it). The hunger for power causes you to collect ministry allies, and the desire for control causes you to locate ministry enemies. Somehow, some way, gospel ministry has become a political battleground for human power.

Our politicians and laws reflect the morality of America's citizenry. Does it not, then, seem more effective for social change for pastors to admonish Christians to focus on pointing their neighbors to Christ? The social change that Christians truly want in America will come when we, the people, desire to live according to our Creator's design.

The Presbytery of Glasgow says it will "take all necessary steps to recover all property and assets, including the church and manse buildings, and all monies belonging to the Church of Scotland congregation of St George's Tron". (Editor's note: Sinclair Ferguson, Senior Minister at First Presbyterian, Columbia, SC, had been pastor of this church from 1998 to 2003, when he moved to the U. S.)

One of my longstanding concerns has been the need for an approach to political pluralism in which people of faith are welcome to bring their convictions about morality, human dignity, and the nature of a just society to relevant discussions in the public square, to make their arguments in a publicly accessible way, and to... Continue Reading

I get more pushback from men who are well-established in the church than I do from women. Women sense the need. Women see their husbands bored. They see their sons dropping out. They see their brothers irreligious. They sit on the pew with nine other women. They know the situation on the ground.    ... Continue Reading

Hymns for the Christian Life was produced by Charlie Peacock (The Civil Wars, Switchfoot) and Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, Kari Jobe) and explores such themes as work, family, money, community and social action, showcasing Irish melodies as well as American bluegrass and country music influences.     Preeminent Irish modern hymn writers and recording artists... Continue Reading