“Cut the prices of food and gas,” said Lisa Reed. I wanted to ask her if that was the federal government’s task, in the first place, and if the feds had that ability even if it was their job. I was here, though, not to argue, but simply to report responses. What a difference 10... Continue Reading

I am fascinated by the legal profession and by lawyers. Most of them are honorable men who work hard. But I worry about the fact that it seems so hard for lawyers not be to lawyers. It is very hard I think for an elder who is a lawyer to think like an elder and... Continue Reading

Christmas cookies are beyond the realm of my diet, and the virgin birth of Christ is beyond the realm of science, but I plan to enjoy both this Christmas. I am finding that many young people are reading books by the new atheists such as Richard Dawkins whose book The God Delusion is out-selling Miracles... Continue Reading

The implausibility of the whole thing is evident in the biblical text itself. When Mary tells Joseph she is pregnant, his first reaction isn’t a cheery “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.” No, he assumes what any of us would conclude was going on, and he sets out to end their betrothal. I... Continue Reading

This much we know: All those who find salvation will be saved by the atoning work of Jesus the Christ — the virgin-born Savior. Anything less than this is just not Christianity, whatever it may call itself. A true Christian will not deny the Virgin Birth. In one of his columns for The New York... Continue Reading

What are you fearing? What are you trusting? Where are you taking refuge? What voices are you listening to? Where are you setting your hopes? Those simple questions take the Bible’s God-relational verbs, and turn them into questions. Such questions can help you to see how you are straying “Idols of the Heart and ‘Vanity... Continue Reading

I would not be a youth pastor for all the money in Christendom. Like the common housefly, their life cycle is short. According to Barna, it was, as of September, about 8 minutes (okay not really). Here is a fascinating glimpse into why (drawn from real life experiences). Dear Youth Dude: So glad you are... Continue Reading

In the end, the issue is not so much about the necessity of preaching salvation by grace. Rather, sometimes error comes in the form not by what people do say, but by what they fail to say. And, as J I Packer has so eloquently reminded us, “A half-truth masquerading as the whole truth becomes... Continue Reading

This is a plan suggested by an anonymous parishioner and cited in Rediscovering Expository Preaching (John MacArthur and the Master’s Seminary Faculty, 1992, Word Publishing, pp. 348-349). Fling him into his office. Tear the “Office” sign from the door, and nail on the sign, “Study.” Take him off the mailing list. Lock him up with... Continue Reading

Whatever else we may discuss, whatever theological points we may consider, the Christian Church has a calling to present Christ to the world and call all men to come to Him for salvation. What should Christian pastors preach? The short answer: Christ. As the Apostle Paul said, “I determined not to know anything among you... Continue Reading