One might summarize all that Ash says under one heading: We are not God. Our mortal frames and our fallen existence make us weak – weak in the face of the temptation to turn even our service of God into something of an idol and ourselves into something indispensable for God’s kingdom. It is surely... Continue Reading

“It is a real pleasure as a pastor to recommend Ken Golden’s new book from Christian Focus, Presbytopia: What it means to be Presbyterian.  In this short volume, Ken provides the reader with the basics of the membership classes at his own church, an Orthodox Presbyterian congregation in Iowa.”   Church membership – that formal,... Continue Reading

There are probably other things that I could write about this book, but hopefully this brief introduction will be an encouragement for you to get it and read it. If someone asks you questions about covenant theology, what your church believes, or what are some of the distinctives of the Reformed faith and practice –... Continue Reading

Our experiences – as valid as they may be – are subjective.  But God’s word is objective and foundational.  So let’s be careful when we define biblical truths.  If we’re only giving a partial definition, it’s good to state it so we don’t mislead people.  And if our definition has a subjective aspect to it,... Continue Reading

Most of us are familiar with the name Betty Friedan as a leader of the women’s movement, made popular by her infamous book, The Feminine Mystique. And I would say many conservative Christians place much of the blame on her for feminism gone wrong. But Browder elaborately demonstrates how it isn’t that black and white.... Continue Reading

To be sure, doubts make the Christian walk difficult, but they don’t mean the walk is not a Christian one.  Peter’s faith was mixed with doubt.  Many of the Psalms ask questions of God that reveal doubt and uncertainty.  Or consider the prayer that most of us know well: I do believe, help my unbelief... Continue Reading

Of course, evangelical satire isn’t entirely new. The venerable Wittenburg Door, for example, enjoyed a long run for several decades. Launched in 1969 as a four-page mimeograph for southern California youth workers, the first issue spelled “Wittenberg” incorrectly. The chagrined editors (Paul Sailhamer and Gary Wilburn, who were then followed by Bob Patterson, then Mike... Continue Reading

“We who have long been “insiders” can learn from brothers and sisters who’ve lived as cultural minorities for years. In Unashamed, Lecrae captivatingly tells his story. And in so doing, he provides helpful insight into the minority experience in America.”   As Western culture becomes increasingly post-Christian, many are struggling with the necessity of adapting to life as a cultural minority.... Continue Reading

Despite facing abject poverty, alcoholism, grief, domestic abuse and gun-wielding foes, Childress didn’t cave to culture pressers. He certainly didn’t soften his theology. But he did soften hearts and minds to Jesus. The challenges we face look different, but sin is ever-constant.    If you ever visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, then you’re sure to... Continue Reading

In sum, Ehrman has written another interesting, provocative, and, at times, even insightful book. But just like his prior books, he’s continually tripped up by a hyper-skeptical methodology that seems bent on poking holes in the authenticity of the Gospels. He takes possibilities and turns them into probabilities and eventually into established fact.    Bart Ehrman has (again)... Continue Reading