In proof and as a capper, Tchividjian quotes a bunch of directly-relevant Scriptures counseling Christian parents to handle rebellious, criminal dependents in just exactly this manner. No, I’m kidding. Tchividjian doesn’t do anything like that. What he does instead is quote Steve Brown, whose rather appalling teachings about “grace” I’ve examined at great length elsewhere.... Continue Reading

The American evangelical church is moving into a time where open faithful biblical Christianity will be seen and treated as not simply silly but threatening and intolerable in society. Professing Christians who want Christianity to yield them glory, honor, respect, and success will be sorely disappointed, perhaps falling away as the heat rises. What did... Continue Reading

I do not doubt the PCA could use some salvation. But I do not think its salvation will be achieved by a return to the good old days of the PCA’s founding. In the perspective of history the old days are not very old and certainly are not historic. Personally I would prefer older days... Continue Reading

In sum, this volume has a number of positive features as it covers a variety of complex historical topics for the layman, but it also runs into some difficulties as it evaluates some of the historical evidence. The repeated theme of the book, to which McDonald regularly returns, is that of canonical diversity. He seems... Continue Reading

  I hope my children never have to sacrifice for their father when I’m elderly. But, if they do, I pray I’ll be Christlike enough to crucify my pride and receive their love. And I pray that I’ll be learning to love, and to be loved, all along the way. I want to live long... Continue Reading

Confess the offense of your boredom. Plead for eyes opened to the 360-degree, 24/7 display of glory to which you have been blind. Determine to spend a certain portion of every day in meditating on his glory. Cry out for the help of others. And remind yourself to be thankful for Jesus, who offers you... Continue Reading

… the great ugliness of dating as it is practiced by our culture and portrayed by our media, is that it teaches two people of opposite genders to be selfish by giving them an easy “out” when things don’t go according to their initial feelings. I believe it is fair to say that this form... Continue Reading

The truth for us to remember is the doctrinal byword that Jesus is God and the Spirit is God, but Jesus is not the Spirit and the Spirit is not Jesus. And that means, at least for the past 2,000 years, Jesus doesn’t make footprints in the sand. “But I believe in Jesus too,” my... Continue Reading

Confessions structure our identities. If not, they are useless. Within a theological seminary, the confession must function as a living commitment, not as a dead letter. As Reno notes, confessions are characterized by pointed distinctions. They are exercises in drawing boundaries, addressing new heresies and new forms of old heresies. False teachings are always around... Continue Reading

So am I an intolerant bigot? I guess that depends on what you mean by “bigot”. Do I think certain things are objectively right and wrong? Yes. Jesus defines what is right and wrong, and my opinion must line up with his. Does that mean I hate those who do wrong things? No, absolutely not.... Continue Reading