Inevitably the error of perfectionism breeds one, or usually two, deadly delusions. To convince ourselves that we have achieved sinlessness, we must either suffer from a radical overestimation of our moral performance or we must seriously underestimate the requirements of God’s law. The irony of perfectionism is this: Though it seeks to distance itself from... Continue Reading

Is a pastor solely limited to sharing the Gospel to his flock on Sunday mornings? Or was the late Dr. John Stott right that one of our identities as Gospel preachers, in a faithful Biblical portrait of a pastor, is a “herald”? The pastor is not a prophet, yet he most certainly does carry a... Continue Reading

If Adam is mythical, then so is redemption. While it does not follow that if Adam is mythical, then the historicity of Jesus must also be denied, it does follow that if Adam is mythical, then the historicity of Jesus as Second Adam must be denied. And Christianity is founded on Jesus as Second Adam.   Modern... Continue Reading

Jesus’ death was beautiful and loving and good because it was for us in a very specific way: He was found guilty of our sin, took the punishment we deserve. He bore our griefs, our sorrows, our iniquities. He did not lay down his life to make a general point about passive resistance, or to... Continue Reading

Even more surprising: She’s found that the same holds for Western students here in the US: adolescents who feel responsible to their families tend to do better in school. The lesson for us: if you want to help your adolescent do well in school make them feel obligated.   Author of Parenting Without Borders: Surprising Lessons... Continue Reading

Watch what will happen. Many Evangelicals, with “faith pastors” and “faith churches” will become 21st century liberals, preaching a watered down “faith” that goes easy on sin and eliminates the Fall. On the other hand, biblical orthodoxy that defends the Creator/creature distinction and all the other God-created holy distinctions (such as male and female) and preaches a Gospel of both grace... Continue Reading

It seems that many of our churches are also likenesses of the selfie. Of course, there are many solid churches that do not perpetuate our own narcissism. I believe I go to one. Even so, I think that this is an epidemic that we need to be aware of because it appeals to us all... Continue Reading

The fact that there was some disagreement during this time period over a few of the “peripheral” books should not surprise us. It took some time for the issue of the canon to be settled.  This occasional disagreement, however, should not keep us from observing the larger and broader unity that early Christians shared regarding the... Continue Reading

Celebrating Ascension Sunday (this coming Sunday) is not the issue (though Bucer and Calvin argued for retaining the “Five Evangelical Feasts” in the church calendar: Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, Ascension, and Pentecost). Christians can disagree on how to remember the key events in Christ’s ministry, or if holy days are appropriate at all. But whether... Continue Reading

This current shift also provides wonderful new opportunities for suburban churches and other cultural institutions to remain in the suburbs and adjust their vision and activities to receive this new cohort of suburban poor. Words like “urban” and “inner-city” can no longer be associated with racial minorities and the underclass. In the coming years, as... Continue Reading