The Next Billy Graham Might Be Drunk Right Now
Most of the church in any generation comes along through the slow, patient discipleship of the next generation. But just to keep us from thinking Christianity is evolutionary and “natural” (or, to use Dr. Henry’s term “genetic”), Jesus shocks his church with leadership that seems to come like a Big Bang out of nowhere. Whenever... Continue Reading
This is the Year?
It’s ironically comforting to me as this new year gets under way that I am weak and He is strong–that while my love for Jesus will continue to fall short, Jesus’ love for me will never fall short. For, as Mark Twain said, “Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, your dog would... Continue Reading
The Year Ahead: 2012
Do you know what’s coming in 2012? As we begin the 12th year of the third millennium, it is intriguing to try to look over the hill ahead of us. At the end of each year I try to take a peek at accelerating trends, upcoming anniversaries, and planned events. My look ahead is in... Continue Reading
Insider Movements and Theological Method
This past week, I posted a book notice about Doug Coleman’s fine new book, A Theological Analysis of the Insider’s Movement.[1] Because the book notice prompted some vigorous discussion, I thought it might be helpful to post an excerpt from an essay I am writing on theological method. In the essay, I try to show... Continue Reading
Dave (Ramsey) and Me
Get out of debt if you think it wise and can. But don’t bring the debt-free gospel into the church. It distracts from and can dilute, if not replace, the true Gospel. Don’t try to improve Christianity by making it more practical. When economy turned downward, Dave Ramsey wanted to do something to counteract the... Continue Reading
Certain prediction for 2012
According to the Mayan “long count” calendar, the final day on Earth is less than a year away, on Dec. 21, 2012. While we wait to see if that apocalypse occurs, a more reliable prediction includes an end of a different sort. The economic stimulus pipeline from Washington to the states is about to run... Continue Reading
That’s what friends are for
You know who your real friends are when the bottom falls out and disaster visits your life. As the Bible teaches, mere “companions” provide no comfort net when “the going gets tough.” Friends, on the other hand, are there to walk with you through the storm. For several years now two friends and I convene... Continue Reading
The Ridiculousness of Relativism: All Cultures Are Not Equal
We have spent billions trying to turn Afghanistan into something resembling a modern nation-state. While some of our efforts have been well-intentioned and laudable, the project as a whole is naïve in the extreme. Last year, an Afghan woman named Gulnaz was the victim of rape. In a case of what you might call “adding... Continue Reading
Why Hogmanay isn’t as Scottish as it used to be
In its years of supremacy the Presbyterian Church of Scotland was never very keen on Christmas… Christmas was one of these Roman Catholic Feasts of the Church which the Calvinist Kirk viewed with deep suspicion and tried to suppress Publisher’s Note: Wikipedia describes the unique Scots celebration known as Hogmanay: Hogmanay (pronounced[ˌhɔɡməˈneː]) is the Scots... Continue Reading
The Year in Review: The Ten Leading News Stories of 2011
And thus 2011 comes to an end, like every year before it. The year came with its own surprises and controversies, tragedies and headlines. And, with the closing of the year, we find the need to put the year into some kind of historical perspective. We are chronological creatures, and the span of year is... Continue Reading