The problem lies not primarily in the behaviour: the behaviour is the product of the conviction that drives it. Sin is normal, and the most gross sins are increasingly normalised, because there is no thought of God. The transformation that occurs in a converted man is the transformation that begins when he is confronted with... Continue Reading

The Puritan theologian, Thomas Manton, once said: “The great skill of Christians is to find the New Testament prefigured in the Old, and the Old Testament fulfilled in the New Testament.” What helps us most in this endeavor is that it doesn’t take long when reading through the NT to come across one of the... Continue Reading

There is still hope. If low-income blacks are given a shot at making the gains that middle-class blacks have experienced since King’s era, America could be the place that we dreamed about 50 years ago. In order for this to happen low-income blacks need to be freed from the overreach of elites in government, pursue... Continue Reading

For some people “missions” means nothing but evangelism, while some ecumenical organizations would rather have mission include every good thing the church might do except seeking the conversion of the lost. Is creation care mission work? What about teaching people to read and write? Or agricultural development? Or medical care? Or digging wells? Or orphan work? What if people... Continue Reading

Here is my theory–I picture the hearts of moms across the world being like a really dry forest, the kind that people warn you not to strike a match in.  They are dry because they’re insecure and aching.  They are exhausted and spent.  They are longing to hear that they’re doing a good job, and... Continue Reading

Why is drunkenness such an apt description of wicked leaders and the people who follow them?  In part, as Isaiah indicates above, a nation can drink of the power it has to the point she has “mingled within her a spirit of confusion.”  Like a boozer, politicians can become confused.  They become blind to their... Continue Reading

I have been associated with educational institutions long enough to know that “official” statements often paper over the real issues that would otherwise make the institution look bad to the general public or donors. This appears to be one such case. Although the official statement would lead most readers to think that the song was... Continue Reading

If you attend a church that is entering the transition period that begins when your pastor leaves, please consider these danger signs. If you are a leader in such a church, please guard against uttering those five dangerous words without first giving serious thought to what you stand to lose if you don’t retain the... Continue Reading

I have read and re-read what Mr Alexander has to say.  I have prayed and thought about the arguments and wondered whether I should change my position (which was that whilst there were some who would have to leave and should be encouraged as they do so, others would have to stay and also be... Continue Reading

In the end, Macklemore’s song is the perfect example of the postmodern approach to morality.  It is heavy on rhetoric, but short on substance.  When probed, his arguments prove to be problematic at almost every point.  Only God can provide a basis for absolute morality. And one can only appeal to God if they have... Continue Reading