“By now you’ve likely heard RNS News report that Dr. Russell Moore has supposedly “denounced reparative therapy” for same-sex attracted individuals who wish to change their sexual attractions and join the ex-gay community. But if you read all of Moore’s statements, you cannot find him downright rejecting sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE).”   Did you... Continue Reading

“Now, I happen to be convinced on the basis of Scripture that some form of penal substitution is at the heart of Jesus’ saving work on the cross. I thought it might be helpful, then, to have some sort of post dedicated to listing and answering most of the standard objections against the doctrine, as... Continue Reading

“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness” (James 3:1). Being a pastor is not a right. It is a rather terrifying responsibility. Take time every day to reflect upon the fact that you will be judged by Jesus for how... Continue Reading

It may be easy to borrow some of the ethics of Christianity and claim them for yourself when things are looking up. Go ahead and whip up your own version of potluck dinners, community, love, service, and all that good stuff, but you can’t even sing Kumbaya, “come by here,” on the good days. And... Continue Reading

The illustration used by Weeden and Kurzban is very instructive. Young people who are involved in premarital sex, non-marital cohabitation, and recreational drugs develop a worldview to justify their activities. Of course, this is what all sinners do. Sinners want to justify their sin and in order to accomplish this they try to realign their... Continue Reading

God is unbelievably long-suffering and patient. Again and again and again he doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve. In his mercy he gives those who hate him opportunity after opportunity to repent before bringing judgment. God so longed to show us mercy he sent his only Son that whoever believes in him would have... Continue Reading

So, here’s the thing. It is right that you are discontent with the world. Both unbelievers and believers recognize that, as Steve Tyler put it, “there’s something wrong with the world today.” Yes, it is right that you are discontent with the brokenness of this world. When God made this world and man in His... Continue Reading

It is easy for us to become preoccupied with how we are doing. But here is what happens when we get wrapped up in spiritual navel-gazing: we become proud when we think we are doing well, and we are devastated when we fail. We will look at how others are doing and measure them against... Continue Reading

I thought that I would have no problems in shifting to the newer ESV, but have come across two things that I wish translators would change in future editions. The first reason is vertically focused and deals with the way the ESV translators chose to refer to God when using pronouns. The second reason is... Continue Reading

In summary, the vast majority believe that: Though we sin a little, by nature we are good. We can do good and God rewards our good deeds by loving us. We have the ability to turn to God on our own initiative. Salvation involves us taking the initiative that God then responds to.   Thanks... Continue Reading