Second-Hand Clothing Undermines Africa’s Economy
Many well-meaning charities are complicit in keeping many African nations poor.
The second-hand clothing industry in parts of Africa is big business. In fact, many charities receive substantial revenue from the sale of this clothes. Why buy a t-shirt for 10 dollars when you can buy one for 32 cents? These trends should come as no surprise to Americans because consignment shops and thrift stores are... Continue Reading
An Honest Response: “I love Jesus but hate Religion”
Can you love Jesus, but hate Christianity, Christians, or the Church?
So to be blunt, to be offensive, to be “intolerant”.. You either love the biblical Jesus and his biblical religion, or you love the Jesus and religion you’ve replaced them with. To balk at either Jesus or His religion is to engage in a sleight of hand. The problem here is that you aren’t fooling... Continue Reading
The Sorry State of the Apology
Scriptural responses to society's shallow regret
An authentic, proactive apology has the power to diffuse anger, re-establish dialogue, and bring tremendous healing. As followers of Christ, let us set the standard for what it means to apologize well. The apology seems to be at an all-time high, and simultaneously, an all-time low. Thanks to public figures such as Arnold Schwarzenegger,... Continue Reading
John Piper on Homosexuality
A thoughtful pastor’s teaching on what the Apostle Paul says about homosexual behavior in his letter to the Romans
Homosexuality is the most vivid form of that breakdown. God and man in covenant worship are represented by male and female in covenant sexual union. Therefore, when man turns from God to images of himself, God hands us over to what we have chosen and dramatizes it by male and female turning to images of... Continue Reading
Thoughts on Same-Sex Marriage, Part II: Distinguishing Rights and Privileges
It is very important to distinguish rights from privileges
For the civil authorities to protect my marital union with another individual—by making public record thereof and by permitting me access to the courts to resolve any issues that may occur if that union dissolves—is not a right; it is a privilege. If the government chose not to make a record of any marriages at... Continue Reading
Flinching on Homosexual Marriage
Speaking clearly from Scripture on marriage
“If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier... Continue Reading
If You’re Not a Good Husband, You’re Not a Good Pastor
Pastors should not undermine the gospel by refusing to love their wives as Christ loves the church
That statement is a sobering one for me. It’s one that all pastors and church leaders need to hear. There’s a real temptation in ministry (at least for me), to spend my time ministering to those outside my home to the detriment of ministering to those inside my home. If we allow our congregations’s “needs”... Continue Reading
Solving the Case of the Missing Mojo (2): Institutions Matter!
Strong denominational seminaries is one of the reasons why Southern Baptist influence is what it is, while conservative Reformed seminaries tend to be small, tuition-driven, and struggling
If we in the conservative Presbyterian and Reformed churches want to have more influence we need to think carefully and urgently about both denominational consolidation and building denominational infrastructure for the long haul. To be sure, there are factors that will make this difficult. Reformed denominations are social as well as doctrinal entities, with their... Continue Reading
3 Principles for Preaching the Pentateuch
Preach Expositionally; Preach Plainly; Preach Christologically
The Pentateuch must be preached, for it is the Word of God. The Pentateuch needs to be preached, for it contains food for our hungry people’s souls. Finally, we should desire to preach the Pentateuch, as it leads us and our people by the hand to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and our amazing... Continue Reading
Why I Am Not Too Excited About Church Planting
Is there a better way organize Christians and grow disciples than church planting?
It’s an article of faith among Evangelicals that we should plant more churches. But something within me asks, “Is this really the best way to reach the world?” I don’t want to cast a shadow over one of the few bright spots in evangelicalism today. But I’ve got to admit that I’m not very excited... Continue Reading
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