It is a strategy that attaches real consequences to individuals with power, rather than to an esoteric and powerless collective. Campus speech codes are no longer public property inherited by unknowing public servants. The speech codes now belong to those who oversee their maintenance. And they ignore them at their own peril. Back in 2002,... Continue Reading

It’s ok because market forces and gentrification change cities for the good as well. Just call it what it is: market-driven, not mercy driven. You want the city to be homogeneous for your enjoyment. That’s cool too, some would say. There seems to be competing visions about what it means to “love the city.” It... Continue Reading

A Presbytery is already free to appoint a commission as the “temporary system of government” (TSG) and include on that commission a TE who is designated as an evangelist per BCO 8-6 (he being the “lesser” type of evangelist who does not have the power to receive and dismiss members, to ordain officers, and to... Continue Reading

Under the new AC funding plan we would turn from a system of voluntary giving, which is the true Presbyterian model. Christ asks us to give out of our abundance, and encourages our heart to do so. We give our tithe to the church because God encourages us to be a cheerful giver. Each gives... Continue Reading

I support the current proposed funding plan and encourage others to do so. I both spoke and voted for it when our presbytery passed it a few months ago. I have dear friends on both sides of this debate, so with charity towards all and malice towards none, I offer three tests for the proposed... Continue Reading

Schuller was only leading the parade of those who believe they are responsible for making the gospel relevant. The lesson is not that Schuller got it wrong or that his theology is out-of-date; it is not that we just need to find a better, more current point of cultural contact. The lesson is that our... Continue Reading

Even as God’s people get the humility part right, they must also get the triumph part right. For as the Christmas story continues, it leads us through condescension and weakness and humility and death, to glory and sovereign power and total triumph In my last posting, I focused on the ironies of the Christmas story:... Continue Reading

Every worldview must give an account of what is wrong with humanity and why the cosmos demonstrates so much death, decay, and apparent meaninglessness. As Christians, we know that the world as we see it contains vestiges of the glory of God that shine through the corruption of the universe blighted by sin Our experience... Continue Reading

The first thing the Apostle does is assume that the believer’s reaction to death will be one of grief, not celebration. In effect, he gives us permission to be sorrowful in bereavement. The second thing is that he limits the scope of our grief. Unlike unbelievers for whom death represents ultimate loss, believers have hope.... Continue Reading

“Heaven goes by favor. If it were by merit, you would stay out and your dog would join.” – Mark Twain Just after Thanksgiving, a professional football player dropped an easy pass in the end zone in overtime that would have given his hapless team the win. The other team marched down the field and... Continue Reading