Eleven prominent Christian leaders, including Redeemer Presbyterian Church Pastor Tim Keller, penned a letter expressing dismay over the New York-based American Bible Society’s decision to fire Douglas Birdsall just weeks before his inauguration as the group’s new president. “As Christian leaders who have known Doug over the entire course of his ministry, we are perplexed... Continue Reading

The problems in the marriage did not cause the affair and this in no way justifies the adultery. Yet it can still be a place where both people grow. Both can admit their own failures, sins and weaknesses and make new commitments to the marriage. This happens more effectively when the spouse who has committed... Continue Reading

Upon entering the main building a sign was up promoting a new book at Luther’s Bookstore, “Pastrix” by ELCA Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber. She was a favorite speaker at the ELCA Youth Assembly and a few months ago spoke at the historic Central Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis—using the “f” word in her speech. I flipped... Continue Reading

A second reason to make every effort to help the couple rebuild their marriage has to do with the future quality of the relationship. Even those not writing from a Christian worldview say that while the memory of the unfaithfulness never goes away, it often becomes a catalyst for the marriage to become more honest... Continue Reading

“It’s time for the Christian father to take the central role which God has ordained,” McManus concludes. “Gathered around the dining room table, the father needs to lead family worship once again, which had been standard behavior for a vibrant American Christian family for hundreds of years, dating back to the Plymouth, Mass., colony of 1620. Dad... Continue Reading

For almost 40 years the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology (PCRT) has been synonymous with Tenth Presbyterian Church in center city Philadelphia. It was started there in 1974 by James Montgomery Boice, and as it grew and flourished, it was taken to many other venues throughout America over the years. Now, as it prepares for... Continue Reading

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

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

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

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