Creation vs. Evolution — The New Shape of the Debate
The New Testament clearly establishes the Gospel of Jesus Christ upon the foundation of the Bible’s account of creation. If there was no historical Adam and no historical Fall, the Gospel is no longer understood in biblical terms. The debate over Darwinism rages on, with almost every week bringing a new salvo in the Great... Continue Reading
Where Have All the Presbyterians Gone? – Nondenominational churches are the fastest growing in the country.
If denominationalism simply denotes a “brand” vying for market share, then let denominationalism fall. But many of us believe denominations can represent fidelity to living traditions of local congregations that care about what Jesus cared about—personal conversion, discipleship, mission and community. Perhaps the denominational era has just begun. Are we witnessing the death of America’s... Continue Reading
No offense in Super Bowl XLV? – No Communion With Pepsi and Doritos!
We live in a free country, and FOX can decide—based on its own business calculations and current FCC regulations—to air whatever it so chooses. No Doritos. No adultery. No John 3:16. As a Christian, I can live with that. Forget about tight ends, tackles, and touchdowns. What many want to know is whether the television... Continue Reading
Remembering the Centennial of Ronald Reagan’s Birth: A pillar of Reagan’s legacy – Religion
Retrospectives on Ronald Reagan as the nation marks the centennial of his birth will touch upon every imaginable aspect of the man. I suspect, however, that the thing most integral to the man, and most consistent throughout his life — that is, his religious faith — will not be as front and center as it... Continue Reading
Muddled Missionals and the Means of Grace
Thus the clear, bright line that Missionals seek to draw cannot be drawn with such clarity. God is a sending God. God is also an attracting God. He sends forth his Spirit and attracts the elect not only to himself, but also to his people. He may draw them to his people before he draws... Continue Reading
The Three Basic Forms of Defective Preaching
It seems to me that there are three ways you can preach the gospel defectively and as a result not see much if any lasting fruit: 1. No Law, No Gospel. 2. Law, No Gospel. 3. Gospel, No Law 1) The First and Most Catastrophic form of defective preaching is preaching that is completely devoid... Continue Reading
Libertarian Catechesis? (Ron Paul, Is that You?)
But if we truly take Christ seriously, we *have* to part ways from the libertarians when they say “charity is optional.” Charity–uncomfortable, sacrificial charity–is essential to what Christ referenced when he said “Do this and you will live.” Bryan Caplanoffers, in the question-answer format of a catechism, one of the most succinct summaries of true... Continue Reading
Starving Under Expository Preaching?
I am a big fan of expository preaching and teaching. To preach the Word of God verse by verse and “give the meaning” is one of the highest forms of honor to God’s Word, and the most fulfilling food to the sheep…unless… …it is devoid of Christ and His Grace. “The Law was given through... Continue Reading
The Christian, Manly Discourse and the Democratization of Information
“Your answer is now required Marcion, murderer of the truth…you utter scoundrel, who pronounce ‘innocent’ the assassins of God…” Tertullian @ Nicea “O Praxeus, you heretic who has crucified the Father and driven away the Holy Spirit.” Tertullian, Against Praxeus A friend tells me that Duke University singled out the PCA for egregious offense in... Continue Reading
The Turmoil in the Middle East; Another View
Westerners are looking at what is happening on the Egyptian streets and wondering if it is good for an oppressed people to protest against a semi-dictatorial regime. Most of these young protesters cannot find jobs, and inflation has ravaged the middle class, to say nothing of the gulf between the very rich and the very... Continue Reading