Tag: Michael Horton
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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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Can Anyone Really Know What the Bible Actually Says?
In many ways it seems to be seen as the conversation stopper, the ultimate trump card. Whenever a skeptic wants to take control of a spiritual conversation, the question gets tossed up like an impenetrable forcefield: With all the different translations and interpretations out there, how can anyone really know what the Bible says. Of…
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Fascinations that Lead Away from the Cross
by Michael Horton Martin Luther opposed the “theology of the cross” to all “theologies of glory.” The latter can be generally placed into three categories: three types of “ladders” we try to climb in order to see “God in the nude,” as Luther put it. These ladders were mysticism, speculation, and merit. I would like…
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Lost Art of Discipleship
Sometimes we need to face up to difficult questions. Michael Horton, in his book The Gospel Commission, asks some really tough ones that every church, every church leader, every church member needs to ask themselves: Instead of reaching the lost, are we losing the reached? Or are those reared in our own churches being truly…
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Lord of Heaven & Earth
Michael Horton, in his book The Gospel Commission, offers this important corrective perspective of Christ: The privatized view of Jesus merely as ‘personal Lord and Savior’ does not really provoke controversy today. After all, our non-Christian neighbors shrug: ‘Whatever works for you’. However, these ascriptions of praise to Jesus Christ were subversive on the lips…
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Why We Need Jesus
According to Michael Horton: “Reason and morality cannot show us a good and gracious God. For that, we need the Incarnation.” *** A passenger on a recent plane trip happily divulged his spiritual views. Raised in a conservative religious home, he proudly dismissed traditional Christianity, with its radical claims about Jesus of Nazareth, because it…
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Reformation Essentials
On October 31, 1517 a young college professor, heavy of heart, wanted to discuss some of the things he was thinking. Posting his thoughts on the front doors of the church in the center of town – the 16th Century version of Facebook or blogging – a flame ignited that still burns today. In fact, with…
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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…
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Why I Am NOT Part of the Religious Right
One would think I’d be a good prospect to be a part of the Religious Right. 1. I am a conservative Evangelical pastor. 2. I first identified my political identity as a Republican in the 2nd Grade. (My teacher at Cedar Road Elementary School, Mrs. Manning, wanting to teach us a little about Civics, listed several candidates…
