-
Elect or Elite?
A few years ago, soon after coming to Bristol, I was asked by a godly woman in our church: “What does it mean to be Reformed?” She had been talking with someone from another church who had snidely claimed that their church did not associate with our church because we were not Reformed enough. What…
-
Practical Importance of Doctrine
If there was one thing I could impart to the members of our church, or to other pastors, it would be an appreciation for the practical importance of doctrine. I think it was R.C. Sproul who pointed out: “We are all theologians… the question is whether we are good theologians.” Sprouls’ point is valid. Everything…
-
Chicken Soup for My Soul
Feeling a little bit in a funk recently, as if I am failing in some way but I am not sure what… I have been reflecting upon the beautiful words of Psalm 143: [1] Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness! [2]…
-
Different Worlds
While I’ve long known it, recently I’ve finding the following quote to be painfully all too true: Following Jesus today requires you to practice the same single-minded non-conformity. And it will produce the same effect in your life that it did with Jesus. If you truly follow Jesus, in addition to enjoying a most excellent…
-
Distinct, Not Separated
John Stott offers a reminder of the task and the tension we, as Christians, must continually navigate when he uses the phrase: “spiritually distinct, but NOT socially segregated.” And here is a quote expanding this perspective: Your business and mine as Christian people is to be in the midst of this world and its affairs,…
-
Friend of Kuyper
For the better part of the 20th Century the Protestant Church in the USA seemed to have divided into two camps: Those interested in Evangelism and those concerned for Social Issues. Which one adopted pretty clearly fell along the lines of how seriously one took the Bible. Conservatives lined up for Evangelism; Liberals for Social…
-
Love Wins… Does Anyone Lose – Part 2
Now that the advanced copies of the book have been sent out, people have had opportunity to read it and reflect. Kevin DeYoung has thoughtfully analyzed Rob Bell’s Love Wins and published his observations and concerns in a compelling review. DeYoung’s opening paragraph offers a summary of Bell’s premise: Love Wins, by mega-church pastor Rob…
-
Offensive Grace
Why does not the faith of the average Christian seem to bring about the change we would hope? Could it be that many have a faulty understanding of the Gospel? Dan Allender, in his book Bold Love, offers the following: “If our sin is mere failure to conform – simply a mistake to do what…
-
A Question of Universalism
For those following discussions of the recent posts, but who want a clearer understanding of what Universalism actually means, below you will find a good explanation from theologian J.I. Packer: A universalist is someone who believes that every human being whom God has created or will create will finally come to enjoy the everlasting salvation…
-
Love Wins… Does Anyone Lose?
Apparently the dance goes on and on! That is in reference to the opening statement I made in a post yesterday. A debate about the Doctrine of Hell has been spreading like a wild fire for a couple weeks now. I only made mention of it because it is a subject that has subsequently been…
-
Hellacious Discussions
I am coming to the dance late, but it appears the party is not yet over. So late may not be too late. What party? Well, the “Hell-acious” party that has been going on in the blogosphere. Apparently the debate was kicked off by Rob Bell and his new book titled: Love Wins. Apparently the video…
-
Out of Whack
In his book, The Call, Os Guiness observes a few ways our cultural and personal priorites are a little out of whack: We Worship our Work We Work at our Play We Play at our Worship
-
Misusing the Proverbs
Great post by John Armstrong on Proverbs. Armstrong asserts: Perhaps no part of Holy Scripture has been more frequently abused… than the book of Proverbs. Armstrong goes on to explain what the proverbs are and are not, and their God-intended purpose. Not long ago a friend and I were discussing this very same problem, after…
-
Subscribe
Subscribed
Have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
