Was Adam placed in a covenantal relationship with God?
"But like Adam they have transgressed the covenant; There they have dealt treacherously against Me”
In essence, Adam got kicked out of God’s house. Now he’s sinful, is a terrible image of God, a covenant breaker, and no longer the keeper of God’s garden-temple. What will God do now?
God Is Laughing Especially Hard Today
Whether Romney of Obama wins, both of them are ultimately controlled like a watercourse.
Aaaah, election day. You can almost taste the fear and money in the air. Political signs are lined up six deep along the road, and the Facebook posts are flying fast and furious. Over the past months politicians have spent billions of dollars on ads that go something like this:
A Prayer for America on Election Day
May God grant us mercy and grace as we seek to fulfill our responsibilities as citizens — and our responsibilities as Christians. This world is not our home, but we do bear responsibilities as followers of Christ as we are living here. May God bless America, not because this nation deserves to be blessed, but because He is a God of grace and mercy. Oh God . . . save us from ourselves.
Baptists and the Reformation: Baptists are Protestants!
We are third generation Protestants who in many ways represent an attempt to reform the Reformation
Baptists are Protestants. I know there are some Baptists out there who don’t believe we are Protestants, but their rejection of this truth betrays a bapto-centric bias and ignores history. It is one of those beliefs that my colleague Keith Harper calls “history as apologetics”–using (or misusing) history (or alleged history) to make a theological point.
Why Paedobaptism leads to Presbyterianism! (or at least should!)
Paedobaptism leads to an emphasis on a broader community of believers beyond the individual
If my identity is focused first on my individual profession of faith then I am always checking others have that same profession which will lead to separation where we conclude not. If my identity is focused first on the community my concern will be building that community rather than seeking complete uniformity within the members.
Contentment is Learned
Learning contentment is hard work, and I am a reluctant student
After years of faithful ministry, I don't see the results I expect. I am discontent. I have a house large enough to host a church dinner, a reliable car that can bring women to the retreat and Christian friends who show love to me. I am still discontent
Why Zombies Matter
The zombie’s horror is that he is a slave forever. If death cannot free you, you can never be free.
Caribbean people could resonate with the horror of zombies because they knew what it was like to be enslaved by evil people, with no hope of escape. And maybe our culture pays attention to zombies because we know what it is like to be dead inside, but unable to find peace, unable to stop walking.... Continue Reading
Nature and Nature’s God
To ride out mighty storms we must come to terms with our limits and find the strength and the serenity to face what lies ahead
We can protect ourselves from a storm like Sandy by taking proper precautions; at the Mead manor we have candles, firewood and food stocked against the possibility that our power will go out. But one day a storm is coming which neither you nor we can survive. The strongest walls, the sturdiest retirement plans stuffed... Continue Reading
Dealing With This “Mormon Moment”: Cults, Truth, and Grace
Many are discussing what to call members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Is it a denomination, a cult, or another religion?
So what is my advice for being on mission during this “Mormon Moment” and beyond? When we are setting out to theologically define religions, we should call it what it is– a theological cult. But if you want to reach people (particularly Mormons) for Christ, then drop the cult language as your starting point. Mormonism... Continue Reading
Tracing the Logic of Liberalism
Liberals and conservatives alike differ less on fundamental principles than on who can better claim custody over the same principles liberalism
What separates liberals and conservaqtives is that each represents a different stage in the larger development of liberalism. Those who do not like what liberalism has become in recent decades have not repudiated it as such but have tried instead to hold onto it and return it to an earlier form—one thought to be purer... Continue Reading