In contemporary evangelicalism, many pastors have gone bonkers over “common grace” and “common good decisions”, but in the process some have forgotten the very public role of “special grace”, that message of God’s redemption in Jesus that is meant for the whole world.   In past years there has been a renewed interest among evangelicals... Continue Reading

God did not act because he endorsed my manner of living, but because of his zeal for his own glory and his faithfulness to his promises of grace for his people. God has the authority and power to use whatever instruments he chooses in whatever way he chooses. Ministry success is always more a statement... Continue Reading

In seeking to be a “different kind of Christian,” we’re tempted to think we can accomplish more for Jesus if we could just be less offensive, more innovative, more missional/gospel-centered/seeker-friendly. Yes, our ministry can and must grow with every generation. But we must not succumb to the Satanic idea that we can build the church... Continue Reading

First, they have a functioning God under whom they are subservient (normally it’s science or rationality, but mainly themselves), and that idea of God informs the way they live and interpret their lives. It informs their biases and determines their values, and governs any sense of morality or ethics they adhere too, or ignore. Once... Continue Reading

In the postmodern, emergent, post-Christian church hungry to try and connect with first century Christianity I’ve often said we should stop monkeying around with all of the candles and just go back to Rome if we’re going to go this route. Rome has better sets, costumes, props, and scripts. I’ve been in the Sistine chapel... Continue Reading

But efforts to minimize the interpretive aspect of Scriptural appropriation run up against the fact that interpretive diversity among Christians is simply undeniable. Thus, some seek respite from the hermeneutical challenge in the confessions of the church. While Christians differ about what the Bible teaches, they may say, the confessions are clear. Except, of course,... Continue Reading

Only 9% of those who answered the survey listed sexually inappropriate behavior to be their most pressing temptation. We live in a world saturated by inappropriate material everywhere we go, and yet only 9% listed it as a temptation. Anger, or hatred, barely got a mention. Lying, stealing, coveting, jealously? Not even a passing comment.... Continue Reading

Some may wonder what the point of reflecting on Rome is for a Protestant. At least threefold,I would respond. First, Protestants benefit from a conservative papacy: on public square issues such as abortion, marriage and religious freedom, the RCC has a higher profile and more power – financial, legal, institutional – than any Protestant group.... Continue Reading

And he did all that so we could experience God’s mercies new every morning. So if you are suffering today, I don’t minimize your pain. Some of you are suffering horrific pain and sadness. But I would encourage you, even in your pain, to look for God’s mercies in the midst of it. As much... Continue Reading

The shamer seeks to break down or, at best, is not aware enough of the human heart to realize that’s what he is doing. The shamer manipulates others, leaving them no choice but to fight back loudly (and thus shame themselves) or concede and be shamed. Sure, sometimes it seems like such actions “work.” The... Continue Reading