Three Principles for Reformed (and Reforming) Worship
What we the Church do in our worship is not some invented thing, an attempt at pleasing a God who is unknowable.
The Church is a divinely ordered society with divinely ordered worship. In its local expressions it will naturally differ but scripture does not permit it to ape the culture in which it ministers (2 Cor. 6:14-18). That the Church’s teaching and worship will be foreign to those outside is inevitable. Not only is it counterproductive... Continue Reading
The Yuck Factor
It is becoming clear that the logic of gay marriage was set years ago and was generally accepted by the church in practice if not always in theory
So why the bust up over homosexuality when the most important things have already been made matters over which we can institutionally agree to differ? I suspect the answer is the yuck factor. Homosexuality is, or perhaps better was, revolting to a certain generation. It disgusted them in a way that polite, educated men denying... Continue Reading
The Two Kinds of “Conservative” Christians
There is a difference between politically conservative and religiously conservative
Older liberal Christians have assumed that a younger generation of evangelical Christians, who are clearly more liberal politically than their generally Republican parents, will join them on the theologically liberal, desacralizing side of the church. What is actually happening, though, may be more complicated than this. Younger Christians who are keeping the faith are often... Continue Reading
Why serving the common good isn’t enough
What makes Christians unique in the world is the gospel
In contemporary evangelicalism, many pastors have gone bonkers over “common grace” and “common good decisions”, but in the process some have forgotten the very public role of “special grace”, that message of God’s redemption in Jesus that is meant for the whole world. In past years there has been a renewed interest among evangelicals... Continue Reading
Don’t Confuse Knowledge or Success in Ministry With Maturity
Success Is Not Necessarily an Endorsement
God did not act because he endorsed my manner of living, but because of his zeal for his own glory and his faithfulness to his promises of grace for his people. God has the authority and power to use whatever instruments he chooses in whatever way he chooses. Ministry success is always more a statement... Continue Reading
We’re Not the Ones God Has Been Waiting For
In seeking to be a “different kind of Christian,” we’re tempted to think we can accomplish more for Jesus if we could just be less offensive, more innovative, more missional/gospel-centered/seeker-friendly. Yes, our ministry can and must grow with every generation. But we must not succumb to the Satanic idea that we can build the church... Continue Reading
Atheism is a religion, too
Absolutely everyone is religious -- including atheists
First, they have a functioning God under whom they are subservient (normally it’s science or rationality, but mainly themselves), and that idea of God informs the way they live and interpret their lives. It informs their biases and determines their values, and governs any sense of morality or ethics they adhere too, or ignore. Once... Continue Reading
8 Reasons Why Rome Still Calls
PCA Pastor and Former Catholic on the ways Rome appeals to those who have left
In the postmodern, emergent, post-Christian church hungry to try and connect with first century Christianity I’ve often said we should stop monkeying around with all of the candles and just go back to Rome if we’re going to go this route. Rome has better sets, costumes, props, and scripts. I’ve been in the Sistine chapel... Continue Reading
Solving the Case of the Missing Mojo
Discernment and Interpretation Do Matter
But efforts to minimize the interpretive aspect of Scriptural appropriation run up against the fact that interpretive diversity among Christians is simply undeniable. Thus, some seek respite from the hermeneutical challenge in the confessions of the church. While Christians differ about what the Bible teaches, they may say, the confessions are clear. Except, of course,... Continue Reading
Socially Acceptable Sins
What are America's Top 3 sins? The answer might surprise you.
Only 9% of those who answered the survey listed sexually inappropriate behavior to be their most pressing temptation. We live in a world saturated by inappropriate material everywhere we go, and yet only 9% listed it as a temptation. Anger, or hatred, barely got a mention. Lying, stealing, coveting, jealously? Not even a passing comment.... Continue Reading
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