The biblical argument is self-evident, but the other two were presented in a way I had never thought deeply about before. Understand that the existence today of any strong churches that are predominately African-American is in itself an argument for reformed theology. How else would you explain it? The African-American culture has grown out of... Continue Reading

Yesterday I mentioned a new Genesis commentary that rejected the doctrine of original sin.  A question then arises: Is the doctrine of original sin essential to Christian theology or not?  To be sure, this doctrine is in all the major (and even minor) Protestant confessions of faith.  Original sin is a crucial doctrine in the... Continue Reading

“God has a plan and purpose for the world, but his intentions for the world aren’t in conflict with his loving provision for his creation.  Indeed, God provides for us precisely through pursuing his plans and purposes.”   What is the Christian worldview and what does it mean for us to faithfully manifest our worldview... Continue Reading

“Tying the Knot is meant to be practical and succeeds well. Every chapter concludes with homework discussion questions that are actually engaging and helpful. They are meant to be completed individually, then shared with the fiancé(e), and finally shared with a marriage mentor.”   The best things in life are rarely the easy things, are... Continue Reading

Another major weakness in his commentary is his belief that Adam and Eve may have evolved from earlier humanoids.  He says that because of the figurative descriptions in Genesis 2, it is “wrong” to ask if humans were specially created or if they evolved (p. 51).  Longman even writes that the actual historicity of Adam... Continue Reading

Read literally, this book is a series of obviously self-refuting assertions (one of which Nehushtan himself characterizes as “childish”). Yet Nehushtan’s writing is subtle. Clearly, this book is not to be read for what it says but for how it says it. While ostensibly arguing that religion is intolerant and should not be tolerated, he... Continue Reading

I believe this is reflected in the books that are marketed to Christian women. These numerous volumes are long on subjective experience and stories and short on objective doctrine. Thus dubious content can find cover under emotional appeal and perceived personal rapport with the author. They are also driven by application, usually related to the... Continue Reading

In other words, love and works are not the same as justifying faith; love and works are not the essence of  faith.  The sinner is not justified by faithful obedience, or by faith working through love, but by faith alone, only, period.  True faith always results in love and good works, but love and good... Continue Reading

Historian Stephen R. Haynes wrote an account of the effects of the civil rights movement on churches in the Memphis area. One particular chapter has special relevance for the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), and that is chapter 12: “A Season of Prayer and Corporate Repentance”: Wrestling with the Past at Independent Presbyterian Church (IPC).... Continue Reading

Ultimately, I think that Evans’ book is the result of the experientialism so common in the Church today. Despite her claims that she would follow the Bible’s instructions for women without picking and choosing, she does exactly that. She picks and chooses how to apply those instructions by deciding which extra-Biblical sources she will follow.... Continue Reading