Marrow Controversy 2.0?
A Reply to Daniel Wells
However, I wonder whether (Tchividjian) can affirm (WCF) 13.1 insofar as it speaks of our lusts growing weaker, the believer being strengthened in saving grace, and this to the practice of holiness. The Confession appears to speak of the Christian growing stronger and more competent, while this competence is never divorced from the power of... Continue Reading
Christians are numerous. What’s their problem?
Christians are persecuted in more countries than other religions are
The article “seems to” falsely concludes that because there are many Christians in the world, perceived attacks on Christians in the American public square are of no concern for Christians. Of course, there could be many Christians in the world, and many Christians in North America, and many Christians in the United States and there... Continue Reading
Let’s Rethink Our Holly-Jolly Christmas Songs
“Christmas is boring because there’s no narrative tension. It’s like reading a book with no conflict.”
The first Christmas carol, after all, was a war hymn. Mary of Nazareth sings of God’s defeat of his enemies, about how in Christ he had demonstrated his power and “has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate” (Lk. 1:52). There are some villains in mind there Sometimes... Continue Reading
Why I Homeschool
Every family has to make their own decision about what is right for them and what they believe God is calling them to do
I get asked some why we homeschool our children. And I put up with a good bit of attitude from people who have very strong (and very wrong) preconceived notions about homeschoolers and homeschooling. So, here is my list of reason why we homeschool. ** Disclaimer** These are MY reasons. I do not believe... Continue Reading
Radicalizing the Middle Class
We seem to have a lot more middle class church members than we do rich ones, and it is not just your money that I seek.
We need a generalized radical attitude among ordinary Christians. We need whole congregations who desire to include the poor among their ranks. We need middle class churches willing to share their budgets with inner city congregations; not to give them pretty curtains, but help to feel the needy among them. We need tutors, we need... Continue Reading
Libertarianism, Calvinism and Young Evangelicals
"Postmoderns love Libertarianism because it often implies there is no “accepted moral truth.”
This postmodern stance resonates with a certain vision of some Calvinist theology, which presumes that those outside of faith are outside of God’s redemptive rule and are “vessels of wrath.” Walker countered that God does not “create any person to break His laws.” Today IRD was graced by a visit from our board member Graham... Continue Reading
The RG3 Problem
A New Ism to Worry About: Not Racism but Culturalism
As racism becomes more and more taboo in our day (especially among those who claim some sort of decent morality), the act of demeaning, discriminating and devaluing others is taking on a new, less-obvious, form. I call it culturism. Like a racist, a culturist (one who practices culturism) is one who allows culture to eclipse... Continue Reading
Who Owns “Evangelicalism” in America?
We evangelicals can confess that we believe moving Leftward is more dangerous (theologically and soteriologically) than moving Rightward.
“The only time I heard from Christians themselves was in the political realm. Two issues defined them — abortion and gay marriage — leading secular folks like me to believe that Christians wake up thinking only about babies in the womb and gay people at the altar. That perception changed when I moved to a... Continue Reading
Newtown: Evil is a part of life
Whatever we find out about the thinking, habits and sickness of Adam Lanza, it was the evil one who sent him to kill those children.
President Obama should have a Nixon-to-China moment. If he tells Hollywood it has made America sicker, Hollywood will be forced to listen. It won’t be so easy for them to turn away. If the president had strong, clear, uncompromising words—if he made an address aimed only at them, a clear and unsparing one that told... Continue Reading
The Human Heart is the Problem, Not Guns or Gun Laws
When violence strikes among us, the real issue is the heart
We fool ourselves into thinking that with the stroke of a pen, our Congress and President can make the world a safer place, as if the laws already on the books were not enough. Congress cannot help because they do not have the power to do so. Remember, Cain murdered Abel without an AK-47. There... Continue Reading