Gay and the Gay Christian
The term "gay" diverts attention away from the most important characteristic of homosexuality (the structural incongruity involved in homosexual practices).
There is no coherent way to combine the identities “gay” and “Christian.” Homosexual practices are sins, and those who refuse to repent of these sins cannot be Christ’s disciples. The word “gay” can refer to: A pattern of male sexual attraction for other men. An identity rooted in such a pattern of attraction. More... Continue Reading
Romans 13 Revisited
We need to think more clearly about Christianity and the state.
The issue of the Christian and government in general, and the issue of resistance theory in particular, are too important not to discuss—especially at a time like this. When it comes to how we are to understand the relationship between believers and civil government, Romans 13:1-7 certainly comes to mind. While the Apostle Paul... Continue Reading
Who Gave You the Right?
It is no virtue to add to the weight other people bear.
Each of us has every right to make other people’s steps lighter, to add cheer to their hearts, to add rest to their souls. But none of us has any right to unnecessarily discourage them, to burden them, to add to their sorrow. An old acquaintance used to say, with a bit of a... Continue Reading
J.I. Packer’s Famous Essay on Christ’s Death
“The Death of Death in the Death of Christ” is a polemical work, designed to show that the doctrine of universal redemption is unscriptural and destructive of the gospel.
The new gospel conspicuously fails to produce deep reverence, deep repentance, deep humility, a spirit of worship, a concern for the church. Why? We would suggest that the reason lies in its own character and content. It fails to make men God-centered in their thoughts and God-fearing in their hearts because this isn’t primarily what... Continue Reading
People Need to Depend on Jesus, Not Us
It might seem counter-intuitive, but sometimes the best thing to do for people is to point them in the right direction and then do nothing.
We should be looking to point people to where they can get help. That is first to Jesus and his gospel and second to whatever agencies might be able to work with them to address their physical needs. Can the church be a part of supplying those needs? Of course it can. It may even... Continue Reading
Brothers, We are Not Charles Spurgeon
The temptation to be your favorite preacher can be deadly to your life and ministry.
We should praise God for the spiritual giants of our faith. We should praise Him for the lessons and wisdom gleaned from such ministries. However, we must remain mindful of the road before us. We must remain faithful to our call. I have been reading two classic books this month. One is D. Martyn... Continue Reading
Church and Conscience
When the conscience, through obstinate sin and disorder, cuts itself off from the eternal principles written by God on the heart of man, it loses its ability to judge effectively.
The church and her deposit of truth once for all delivered to the saints cannot (ultimately) be corrupted or annihilated. She will endure whether or not her storehouse of moral law and eternal first principles are heeded. She is a perfect society, without external dependence for the fulfillment of her final end. American Christianity,... Continue Reading
The Lie of Perfectionism
This exhausting effort produces some shiny-looking fruit. But it’s rotten inside.
Perfectionism is impatience with how God designed people to grow gradually over time through imperfect efforts. It fails to recognize that perfection is only possible in glory. Perfectionism makes everyone miserable, even if it works for a while. An infamous perfectionist is college football coach Nick Saban. Coach Saban has six national championships and... Continue Reading
Courageous Christian Sexuality
We need Scripture’s clear testimony to how God views sex and how we can honor his plan for our sexuality amidst changing sexual mores.
Professing Christians commit adultery, fornicate, use pornography, and watch sexually charged movies. But God’s will is “your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality” (1 Thess. 4:3). Before you judge the world judge yourself. Without holiness we have nothing to say to the world. And without it we will not see the Lord (Heb. 12:14).... Continue Reading
A Place to Eat, Sleep, and Watch
Emptiness in the Modern Household
Ancient ideals can be reforged and remembered and reappropriated to match the new times and new challenges of today. The family can be bonded by more than mere sentiment and consumption, but by meaningful mission and output. I wondered if the editors at The New York Times realized the irony in the title “The Pandemic Created... Continue Reading
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