Why Does Bavinck Need a New Biography?
Bavink's ability to produce the work that now sits on so many of our shelves depended on a drawn out and traumatic failure in romance.
If previous biographers knew about Amelia, they wrote nothing about her. That silence is perhaps understandable in their contexts as biographers, given that Bavinck’s eventual wife (and their daughter) lived on well into the 20th century. To tell the world that Herman had first hoped to marry someone else would have taken a particularly bold early... Continue Reading
The Use of the Imperative in Jesus’ Preaching
Jesus himself is the Master Preacher.
Those listening that day expressed amazement over Jesus’s teaching, “for He was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes” (Matt. 7:29). The Lord did not just talk about the kingdom of God. He called His listeners into its reality and His dominion. Preachers today would do well not only to... Continue Reading
Why Risk Is Still Right
This year has revealed: perhaps we don’t send more missionaries because we care too much for our own safety and comfort.
We should not forsake wisdom and be reckless on mission. Paul himself occasionally fled. But in all our contemporary concern for mitigating risk and exercising caution, I believe it is possible that we have all clenched our lives and possessions too tightly. Instead of counting our lives as precious to himself, let us return to... Continue Reading
The Impact of a Pandemic on the Local Church
The church looks to God and trusts that he guides and controls the steps of us all.
The challenges faced by the pandemic has strengthened many people in the local church. Even the genuine believers who have not been able to return to normal life—including their church gathering. They have used technology to the best of their ability, made intentional connections with their church online, and refused to forsake the fellowship of... Continue Reading
Discipleship Together
In the church, we replay the dynamic of the gospel over and over for all to see and rejoice in.
As you hear more godly believers speaking with grace, gentleness, and courtesy in members’ meetings, you are learning how Christians ought to express themselves. As you watch them interact with others in Bible studies, you see meekness, humility, and wisdom lived out in front of you rather than defined propositionally in a book. By their... Continue Reading
‘Pastor, Why Aren’t You Preaching About What’s Happening?’ [Part 1]
Some people even leave churches and join others because of the way current events are addressed (or not addressed).
My friend’s intentions were in the right place, but the second service began in forty-five seconds, and we still stood in the foyer. The event was not large enough that anyone else mentioned it to me. Right or wrong, I made the decision not to address the event in the second service. I wrestle with... Continue Reading
Judge Bars Defiant Los Angeles Megachurch From Holding Indoor Services
Grace Community Church has defied Los Angeles County’s pandemic health orders must stop holding Sunday worship services indoors, under a judge’s ruling Thursday [09/10/2020].
“While the court is mindful that there is no substitute for indoor worship in the ‘spiritual refuge’ of a sanctuary, the court cannot ignore the County Health Order does not dictate a ban on worship,” Beckloff wrote in his decision granting the county’s request for a preliminary injunction. The order remains in effect until the... Continue Reading
Unstoppable Pilgrims
Get thee to church.
While there is a growing, vocal number of Christians eager to return to gathered worship, or even proclaiming enough is enough and returning to the house of the LORD regardless of the magistrate, there are others less enthusiastic and even downright hostile to the idea. Where Israelites rejoiced, celebrated, and even partied regarding the House... Continue Reading
A New Survey From Ligonier Ministries Reveals What Americans Know (Or Don’t Know) About The Christian Faith
Ligonier Ministries’ biennial State of Theology survey provides insights on how Americans view a wide range of Christian beliefs.
The 2020 survey also shows a decline in the number of professing evangelicals who have an accurate understanding of salvation. Only 57 percent of American evangelicals hold to the Bible’s teaching that the Holy Spirit gives a spiritual new birth before a person has faith in Jesus Christ, compared with 63 percent in 2018. While... Continue Reading
The Late Great Sunday Service
Simply put, is church online a healthy alternative to the in-person experience?
Carefully weigh your motivation for staying away from your local church service. Whenever the time finally comes that we find our primary motivation for remaining home is simply convenience, I encourage you to reconsider in light of these criteria. In meeting together, we embrace a long tradition of togetherness, we answer a call to connectedness,... Continue Reading
