What Does ‘Deconstruction’ Even Mean?
It’s helpful to keep in mind that a deconstructing Christian is often someone in significant pain.
So, what does deconstruction even mean? It means different things in different contexts. It is a postmodern philosophical label that has been adopted by current and former evangelicals to sometimes mean navigating a faith crisis, to sometimes mean identifying harmful cultural influences that distort the true gospel, to sometimes mean questioning and rejecting traditional evangelical doctrines and... Continue Reading
Freedom from the Tyranny of “Success”
What does success look like, especially in the context of ministry?
Faithfulness is obedience—obedience to God’s commands, calling, and gifting—and obedience is success. That means that you may not be the most gifted teacher, you’re the right teacher for your church at this moment. Even though you may not be the greatest evangelist in the world, but you’re the person to share the gospel with your... Continue Reading
By this We Know the Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error
When truth is seen as relative then in what or whom can anyone have faith and trust?
What is truth? Pilate asked this rhetorical question sarcastically. Jesus told him the truth, but since he was not “of the truth” he did not hear it. If you are in Christ then you are of the truth and you have heard our Lord’s voice and are hearing it right now. The Holy Spirit is... Continue Reading
“Non-Directive” Preaching
The committee has concluded that religious teaching and prayer about sexual identity should only be permitted if it’s conducted in a “non-directive way”.
“Non-directive” religion will mean that the censors have to cut most of the apostle Paul’s letters in half, and put the second-part through the paper-shredder. The Scottish government are OK with Ephesians chapters 1-3. That’s just “teaching”. But when Paul gets to his “therefore” in chapter 4, all the “directive” instruction in chapters 4-6 needs... Continue Reading
All Over-Realized Eschatologies Are Attempts to Change the Rules of the Game
This is not heaven and there are no shortcuts.
We are to be what we are: mere Christians redeemed and sanctified by grace alone, through faith alone, and seeking to live according to God’s moral law, in union with Christ, out of gratitude for God’s free favor in Christ—not in order to be justified and saved but because we have been justified and saved. Some... Continue Reading
The Key to Romans: God Wanted & Needed More Sin in Order to Save Us from It
What was so important about the timing of Jesus’ mission?
Jesus both provoked the world to the ultimate sin and then stepped in the path of that wrath. He came at the right time just when the priestly people who had been given the covenant law had become the worst offenders. He literally came on Judgment Day. And the only reason there is a world of... Continue Reading
Fire at Harvest Time
The Spirit received and experienced is the sign that a new age has come and that new life is available for everyone.
Jesus completed his work by giving the Spirit to his people. His promises to make them into springs of running water, his promises that he would send a helper, his promises to return to each of them and be with them forever were fulfilled in that moment. Jesus had left the disciples. They’d seen him ascend... Continue Reading
The Simple Way to Know and Be Shaped by Your Bible
If your Bible intimidates you, consider this question: Do you know a series of novels well? Then why look at your ability to know the Bible any differently?
Stop putting pressure on yourself to read your Bible while taking particular notes or studying particular commentaries each and every time. Learn the basics of how to understand the Bible, and then just start reading! Do you know entire series of novels—hundreds or even thousands of pages—like the back of your hand? Do you know... Continue Reading
The New Heretics
Our lords of the lockdown and vax mandates are not contrite.
The window for tolerating thought is closing even as we breathe. Compared to the Middle Ages our tech age can seem more intolerant and less enlightened. How long did it take for a papal intolerance to come back to bite? The answer is, as long as the Enlightenment lasted. On June 22, 1633 Pope... Continue Reading
If You Love Me Love My Commandments
How the Law and the Christian Can Be Friends
The Lord has not given the law to believers just to place them back under a covenant of works. We are not trading one form of the curse for another. The giving of the law here is an act of the covenant of grace. Moses is an administrator of God’s mercy, not His judgment. ... Continue Reading
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