Category: Evangelical
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Trusting God in the Face of Death
Two heavyweight proponents of gospel, grace, and godliness – Michael Horton and Tim Keller – discuss suffering, forgiveness, Justification through Faith, Evangelicalism (and Fundamentalism), along with a number of other topics in this thoughtful conversation between old friends. (According to Horton, this conversation was his last with Tim Keller, before Keller’s death in Spring of…
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The Hallmark of Authentic Evanglicalism
“The hallmark of authentic evangelicalism is not that we maintain the traditions of the evangelical elders. It is rather that we are prepared to re-examine even the most long-standing evangelical traditions in the light of Scripture, in order to allow Scripture, if necessary, to judge and reform our traditions. Evangelical traditions are not infallible; they…
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Selling Out the Gospel at the Altar of Politics
I don’t do politics on social media (nor in the pulpit), but I feel an exception is warranted – on social media, anyway. With the exception that I don’t really care that Donald Trump has not previously held public office, nor do I care that neither Ben Carson nor Carly Fiorina have ever held public office, pretty much…
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New City Catechism
Over the weekend I spent some time reviewing the relatively new New City Catechism. While it has been around for a couple years now, and I had heard about it even prior to it’s original publication, I had not really given it much attention, until now. I was impressed by the combination of depth and…
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Cotton Candy Christianity Scorecard
I don’t want to become one of those bloggers who becomes known for what he is against, or for pointing out how wrong other guys are, but this was just too funny to pass up. It is also important to distinguish the gospel from all its counterfeits. For as Paul warns in Galatians 1.6-7: I…
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The Scandal of American Evangelicalism
I was not there, but I am now wishing I had been, at least for R.C. Sproul Jr.’s address. The Layman Online reports that Sproul prophetically challenged those gathered for 2012 Ligonier National Conference “… about the true scandal of the evangelical mind.” Developing his message from 1 Corinthians 1.18-31 Sproul briefly outlined the Christian faith,…
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Church Consumerism
Wow! In this message Matt Chandler rants against the consumeristic climate catered to and cultivated by the contemporary Evangelical culture… I wish I had said this! OK, I have said this. I just wish I had said it as well as Matt does!
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Fundamentalists, Liberals, and Gospel-Centered Christianity
If you think about it, Fundamentalist and Liberal Christians have more on common with one another than either does with Gospel-centered Christianity. While Fundamentalists and Liberals would seem to be very different from the other, almost even polar opposites, I am convinced this is true. For both of those traditions tend to view the purpose of Christianity to…
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Is John MacArthur Getting Crotchety?
Is John MacArthur getting crotchety in his old age? I will leave that for you to decide. My guess is opinions will vary. Some may even muse about the verb “getting”. But after watching a couple of brief videos he has me wondering. Before commenting on the videos let me say that I think John…
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Can We Get Along Together?
One of my ecclesiastical/theological heroes, John Piper, came under a slew of criticism earlier this year for inviting “Purpose Diven” Rick Warren to be one of the speakers for the Desiring God 2010 Conference. I like the way Collin Hansen introduces the controversy, in his article, Piper, Warren, and the Perils of Movement Building: You…
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95 Theses for the American Church
Just as Martin Luther offered some suggestions for the Church of his time in Germany, Jared Wilson has some ideas for us to consider. On his blog: The Gospel-Driven Church, Jared has posted 95 Theses for the American Church. Theses 1-19 – Discipleship Theses 20-38 – Community Theses 39-57 – The Church Theses 58-76 – The Pastorate …
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John Piper and the Prosperity Gospel
A couple weeks ago I posted some of my thoughts about the Prosperity Gospel as it compares to Scripture. In particular I was reflecting on some insight from Revelation 2.8-11 – Jesus’ affirmation of the Church at Smyrna. (See Suffering Saints) I have since run across this video of John Piper expressing how the Prosperity Gospel…
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What’s Glenn Beck Doing at Liberty University?
It was with some bemusement that I took note of the speaker for Liberty University’s 2010 Commencement: Glenn Beck. I am not sure what message was conveyed by this choice. One possibility seems commendable. Another possibility, I fear, may be a sad reflection of attitudes within and around contemporary American Evangelicalism. Liberty University, long steeped in Baptistic Fundamentalism, maintained its commitment to the conservative…
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Keller on Being Salt & Light
Working through the Sermon on the Mount on Sunday mornings, a few weeks ago I preached from Matthew 5.13-16, the Salt & Light passage. What I explained to our congregation is that, after instrucitng us about what our attitude ought to be as citizens of the Kingdom, Jesus goes on to reveal the Influence he…
