A Challenge of Later Life
My point is that with this new freedom there can be the temptation to slack off all responsibilities, especially church responsibilities. Let the younger folk do the work and enjoy the freedom of not being tied down. And there is a legitimate freedom that comes with retirement As one becomes older and nears the last... Continue Reading
More Scripture-Twisting on the Campaign Trail?
It’s no time for Christians to back away from concern for the common good, bringing their deepest convictions to bear just as others do. However, the trading of Bible verses ripped from their covenantal context and intention is a sure way to trivialize God’s Word in our society, in our churches, and in our own... Continue Reading
For Shame—Speech Crimes and Ideology
The sleeping giant of feminism has been roused to action, threatening to silence anyone who dares to question its now dominant values. Fifteen years ago James Twitchel’s For Shame: The Loss of Common Decency in American Culture argued for the socially redeeming character of shame: “Shame is the basis of individual responsibility …It is where... Continue Reading
Is Carl (Trueman) Losing His Edge?
But when so many downloads are available and so many broadcasts are a turn-of-the-dial away, using celebrity to nurture a taste for average pastors is little bit like going to Citizens Bank Park to groom fans for the Doylestown, Pennsylvania’s American Legion team. We had counted on Carl Trueman, the left-leaning emoticonoclastic Orthodox Presbyterian pastor,... Continue Reading
Creating the Bible in Our Image of God (or vice-versa?)
I suppose that title is a bit confusing. What I mean is this: what we think of God can be seen in what we expect of the Bible as God’s Word. Here is one example. If your vision of God is primarily (not exclusively) of a sovereign king, enthroned above, who communicates to his subjects... Continue Reading
Is Anyone More Holy than Anyone Else? The Missing Category of the ‘Righteous Man’
So, what exactly is a “righteous” person? Surely we cannot suggest that all these passages are simply referring to the imputed righteousness of Christ (as important as that is). “No one is more holy than anyone else.” That was the statement I heard in a recent sermon. At first, I thought I must have misheard... Continue Reading
Letting the Liturgy Speak
For the unbeliever, worship is as foreign as breathing underwater. We cannot expect them to appreciate an act in which they have made no investment even when they superficially understand it. The Church worships because she loves the Lord. She has learned over time how best to worship him and it is for each and... Continue Reading
Ross Douthat on Rooting Out Bad Religion
Why the New York Times columnist wants to see America return to its confessional roots. He sees problems with Oprah, Health and Wealth, Glenn Beck and the Bush (II) White House/Republican fusion, but has praise for Luther (Douthat is a Roman Catholic!), Lincoln, Romney and C. S. Lewis, concluding: “Mere Christianity” is a hallway with... Continue Reading
Evangelicals Copy More of Catholic Playbook to Oppose Contraception Ruling
“This is one of the more remarkable displays of unity that I’ve seen in a long time,” said Paul Kengor, a political science professor at Grove City College. “The most common tactic or response Catholics and evangelicals will probably pursue is within the courts. It’s not that they sought this issue; this came to them.”... Continue Reading
Pete Enns Might Be Right
[N. T.] Wright affirms that the faith to which he subscribes is naturalistic, working within ordinary human processes and caring nothing for “doctrinal permits or passports to salvation.” It would also seem that Wright has come to the same conclusion as Enns—doctrines such as plenary inspiration and special creation are not inconsequential side issues, but... Continue Reading