Muddying The Distinction Between Justification And Salvation (Part 2)
Trusting in one’s self, even in one’s cooperation with grace is presumption
“To make Jesus a mere facilitator, rather than a complete Savior, is, we confess, “too gross a blasphemy.” It makes him “half a Savior.” Then, immediately, the confession turns to justification through faith alone. Note this.” In part 1 we looked at how the Westminster Shorter Catechism speaks about the relations between justification, salvation,... Continue Reading
One Professor’s Journey from Scientology to Christ
Twenty-five years ago I converted to Christianity. Here is my story of how I “wandered into the faith.”
“Without conviction, I embraced all kinds of crazy New Age philosophies, rebelled against my family, and got involved in unhealthy relationships. I take full responsibility. God bless my parents and friends for trying to snap me out of it. And bless those poor, deluded psychologists and counselors who tried to talk me (or drug me) out... Continue Reading
Bannerman Take One: Culture Wars and Ecclesiology
The Banner of Truth’s retyped and reissued edition of James Bannerman’s The Church of Christ is, like so many of their books, beautifully produced. It is also most timely.
“Evangelicalism as a movement is ill-equipped to handle the questions which current sexual identity movements are posing, and that for several reasons to which Bannerman provides biblical answers. And these questions, even more than, say, abortion, are going to be pressing issues for church members in every place of work they find themselves.” The... Continue Reading
Same-Sex Marriage Is Disrespectful of the Human Body, Christian Philosopher Nancy Pearcey Says
Same-sex marriage supporters ignore biology and disrespect the human body
“In an earlier age, nature was recognized as God’s creation, expressing God’s purposes. Because our bodies are part of nature, the human body has a purpose too. The biological correspondence between male and female in reproduction is part of the original creation that God pronounced “very good” — morally good — which means it provides... Continue Reading
How Can Churches Support Homosexuality?
How can "Christian" denominations ordain homosexuals and perform homosexual marriages?"
“The simple answer to this question is that such denominations have stopped granting ultimate authority to the clear teaching of the Word of God. In almost every case, they no longer regard the Scriptures as inerrant and therefore they find it easy to disregard teachings they consider offensive and antiquated.” I have been traveling... Continue Reading
Biblical Theology: Definitions and Distinctions
With the Protestant Reformation came more of a distinction between biblical and systematic theology
“Before we can organize Christian theology into a coherent body of doctrine, we need to look at it according to its biblical parts, as well as the biblical books that make up those parts. For example, if we want to seek to gain a proper understanding of the kingdom of God, using both the Old... Continue Reading
The Trap of Assuming Everyone is “Good”
Let’s be wise as serpents in discerning evil, and innocent as doves in regard to its practice.
Not everyone in the visible church is good. Let me say that again. There are wicked, evil, counterfeit “Christians” in most every local church. They are not rare. Some if not many of them are church leaders. They are like a household fungus which, if not combated continually, will always crop up amongst us. ... Continue Reading
Don’t Just Think of Him as Your Husband
My husband is my brother in Christ, and he belongs to God
It really helps to put things into perspective. It is so easy to be selfish, even in my prayers for my husband. Sure, I can think that I am being helpful in my communication or in praying for his best, but when I limit his identity and vocation in being my husband, I can become... Continue Reading
Being an Iceberg Pastor
Whatever public ministry he engages in needs to be built upon a lifetime of preparation, growth, character, learning, and reliance on God
The tragedy is that often the models and priorities of church life today do not favour the pastor-iceberg. As a result, most pastors will be tempted to fill up their week with a lot of work that doesn’t allow them to grow deep in God. This is a constant war ground for the pastor’s heart.... Continue Reading
Is Discrimination a Bad Word?
There is a kind of discrimination that is unavoidable and fine, but there is also a kind of discrimination that can be bigoted and unjust.
The rightness or wrongness of the discrimination, I would urge, turns on a very simple point. It all comes down to truth. What is the true state of affairs? Are some of the above examples perverted? If so, what are they perverting from? What is the standard or norm from which they are deviating? ... Continue Reading