Many in the orbit of the “Young, Restless, and Reformed” today seem to be drawn to extremes: either the independent egalitarianism that ends up creating many popes or the older top-down hierarchy of Rome.  In case after case that I’ve witnessed, the moves have been made by leaping over biblical models of church government.  ... Continue Reading

 In any case, the gospel is not what happened to R.C. Sproul. God makes no promise that He will use my story as His power unto salvation. The gospel is not about me. The gospel is about Jesus. It is the proclamation of the person and work of Christ, and of how a person can appropriate the... Continue Reading

The Family Research Institute blast at me quotes the apostle Paul: “Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6). That’s absolutely true. The question again is:... Continue Reading

Go repeatedly to the wandering young person.  Though the prodigal will distance himself from the church and likely blame it for such things as hypocrisy, legalism, and lack of love, the parents and the congregation should not allow the prodigal to become a successful “prophet” with these remarks by withdrawing from him.  Instead, in the early... Continue Reading

Rather, it is precisely the sanctity of life which leads many in the movement to favor capital punishment for murderers; capital punishment being the clearest and severest social reaction to the taking of innocent life. So it is opposition to murder which leads many pro-lifers to be pro-life on abortion AND pro-death penalty as well.... Continue Reading

Judah is one born in the covenant community. He is one acquainted with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Yet, he is one with despicable character, and his greatest transgression is not yet listed. He encourages the burning of Tamar due to her sexual indiscretions, when he is the one who impregnated this woman.... Continue Reading

Of the 38 public institutions CNN attempted to survey, 18 provided no data. Some of these claimed that they do not track the aptitude scores of their athletes. (Really?) Others refused the request. Yet others failed to respond. Of the 20 who responded, 13 provided data in a standardized format that enabled the researchers to... Continue Reading

I went to Atlanta to do some research on my dissertation –I got to handle holy relics penned in the own hand of my subject of study –Benjamin Morgan Palmer, 19th century city pastor par excellence.  I saw his clock, his armoire and a painted portrait of him.  I am beguiled by him, puzzled by... Continue Reading

There is nothing wrong with your people admiring you as their pastor. The problem starts when the healthy admiration morphs into unreflective obedience, fearful retreat, or a messianic complex.   For it has been reported to me by Chloe‘s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one... Continue Reading

Every New Testament author either directly quotes or alludes to Genesis. Dozens of times Adam, Eve, the Serpent, Cain, Abel, Noah, the Flood, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Lot, Sodom, Gomorrah, and so on, are directly (and indirectly) referenced. They are spoken of as literal historical characters and events, not mythological beings and occurrences.   You may... Continue Reading