Category: Christianity
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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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Here I Stand
Today being Reformation Sunday, the day on the ecclesiastical calender commemorating the anniversary of Martin Luther posting his 95 Theses on the doors of the church at Wittenburg, which inadvertantly set into motion a radical transformation of both the church and Western Culture, I thought it might be appropriate to review the roots of what…
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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…
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Contemporary Evangelical Creed
The following is a spoof on the substance of much of contemporary Evangelicalism. It is taken from a past edition of Modern Reformation, probably Jan/Feb 1997, but I am not sure of the original publication date. I know I may be stepping into a hornets nest here, but I post it because I find it…
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Glory Story: The Joel Osteen Phenomena
I’ve never quite understood the attraction. His words melt like cotton candy. Yet he has amassed the largest church and largest television audience in the United States. Sure, he may be a nice guy, but what is the allure of Joel Osteen? Like him or loathe him, Osteen’s influence is pervasive. I am frequently asked…
