In Romans 16, the apostle Paul tells us to note those who cause divisions, and to mark and avoid them. He says in the next breath that one of the things that such divisive people do is “deceive the hearts of the naïve” (Rom. 16:18). This kind of smooth (and sophomoric) talk is very easy …
The Final Ashlockolypse
Okay, this is a shameless appeal, but more than that, this is an edifying shameless appeal, containing three parts all told. This concerns Nate’s writing career, and I believe I can speak here with a freedom I would not have if I were talking, say, about my own books. First, this is because Scripture says …
Atheism As Failure to Grasp the Implications
“If the two of us [an atheist and Christian] were looking at a new report of the latest atrocity, I would say that at some point in the future, in some fundamental way, that will be put right. You want to say, as an atheist, that it will not ever be put right. But you …
More Skilfully
“We preachers ought to use satire more skilfully and more frequently, ensuring always that in laughing at others we are also laughing at ourselves within the solidarity of human pomp and folly” (Stott, Between Two Worlds, p. 290).
When Talking Heads Explode
The race for the Republican nomination is still too early in the demolition derby to make too much sense out of it. It will be interesting to see what happens when there are only three very dented cars still running. The conventional wisdom was that the rise of Herman Cain was just the latest flavor-of-the-month …
The Necessity of Atheistic Impotence
“You want to rage, but there is no object for your anger. There is no wall to punch. Because above you and them is ‘only sky.’ You want to rail against God, but He is not there. But that means He didn’t do it. So who did? There is no who. Only sky above us …
This Is Acceptable Because They Have Been Dead for Centuries
“It is hardly surprising that the use of humour in preaching and teaching has had a long and honourable tradition. It is particularly florished during the sixteenth-century Reformation, for both Martin Luther on the Continent and Hugh Latimer in England used their earthy descriptive powers to the full. They drew cartoons with words, which still …
Anger With the Non-Existent
[Addressing Sam Harris’ indignation at the devastation caused by a tsunami] “Now I can only understand you being indignant with God over this if He is really there. But what if He is not there? What follows then? This event had no more ultimate significance than a solar flare or a virus going extinct or …
Pulpit Tinder
“Fire in preaching depends on fire in the preacher, and this in turn comes from the Holy Spirit” (Stott, Between Two Worlds, p. 285).
Sedimental Journey
With regard to my previous discussion of American Puritanism, Tim Enloe raised some good points, with many of with which I agree with, or whatever the grammar johnnies say that clause should be. At the same time, I can see that I need to unpack this a bit more. I have used the image of …