Why Does Africa Remain Broken?
COMMENTARY–Africa has received more foreign aid than any continent in history. Yet, by almost any reasonable measure, Africa remains badly broken. Its people live lives that are brutish and short when compared to the rest of the world. And as one who is a practicing Christian, who has been involved in Christian ministry in Africa,... Continue Reading
Listening to Scripture for Life’s Direction
“If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame” (Prov. 18:13). In any form of human relationships this proverb holds true. If you have watched some of the news clips of our nation debating the health care issue, you have observed this proverb in action. Or perhaps you observed a... Continue Reading
Interview with Danny Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
1. Why is fervent delivery of expositionally-sound sermons important? How can men grow in developing fervent delivery? Akin: Fervent delivery is important because though what we say is more important than how we say it, how we say it has never been more important. We live in an age where effective communication skills are essential.... Continue Reading
Dispatch from Cyprus
Serving as pastor of a multi-national church on an island in the Mediterranean was never something I felt led to do. Yet in God’s grace and plan my wife (Cindy) and I are now residents of the island nation of Cyprus. Most people think Cyprus is a Greek island. Although Greek is the language, the... Continue Reading
Hope vs. Appeasement
In his inaugural address, President Barack Obama reached out to the world’s rogue leaders, telling them, “We will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.” No doubt, this sentiment and the worldview that underlies it have endeared President Obama to some, including the Nobel Committee. But it has also exposed his... Continue Reading
Paul’s Letter of Joy & Peace
Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:1-2) The Theme of Philippians In 1992, the Calvin scholar, T.H.L. Parker, wrote this about Calvin’s method... Continue Reading
The Christmas Culture Wars for 2009 Have Begun
The Christmas culture wars for 2009 have now begun and ground zero is the Detroit suburb of Warren, which for 63 years has hosted a privately maintained nativity scene set at the crossroads of the city. The Nativity display had been maintained by Warren city resident John Satawa and his family for most of the... Continue Reading
The Idolatrous Religion of Conscience
By R. Albert Mohler, Jr. “It wasn’t primarily about sex.” With those words, Lutheran theologian Robert Benne explained that the actions recently taken by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to normalize homosexuality were not primarily about sex at all, but about theological identity. “The ELCA has formally left the great tradition for liberal Protestantism,”... Continue Reading
Cap-and-Trade Update
On Sept. 30, Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and John Kerry (D-MA) unveiled their proposal for cap-and-trade (C&T) legislation. The Senate bill calls for a 20 percent reduction of U.S. CO2 emissions by 2020, and an 80 percent reduction by 2050—targets similar to those in the C&T bill passed by the House of Representatives in June.... Continue Reading
The Fundamental Disagreement Between The Religious Right And Religious Left
There has much conversation in recent years about both the religious right and religious left, as to why their views differ. Since both movements claim to be functionally Christian in their orientation, we need to examine why they often support opposing cultural mandates when it comes to putting faith into action. Probably the most often... Continue Reading