“The materialism that came from the Enlightenment was a concerted way to get us back to the old way of knowing, the old way of relating to the authorities, the old way of dying. We are being asked to ‘know’ the world as though Jesus had not be raised from the dead in the middle …
Who’s Who in the Horse Race
As we continue to watch the gaudy show that we call the primaries, we need to keep all the factors in mind. Inductive arguments are not valid or invalid, but are rather strong or weak. In an inductive argument, you are reasoning from the particular to the general. If you say that you saw a …
The Plot Point of the Whole Thing
“So this means that the resurrection was not an odd event in the first century, with all ‘normal’ things staying just the same. The resurrection was the central event of all history, but we have to take this as the central event for all history. It defines history; it establishes the trajectory of the remaining …
Suffering as Means
“Suffering is not an accidental result of obedience. It is an ordained means of penetrating the peoples and the hearts of the lost” (Piper, Brothers, We Are Not Professionals, p. 195).
Musical Style in Worship
Apart from offering praise to God, the music of a worship service also has the important role of setting the tone of the service. Scripture teaches that music sets the mood. A particular kind of music is for mourning, and another is for dancing (Luke 7:32). When the prodigal son returned, and the elder brother …
The Future as God’s Gift, All of It
“The Lord’s promises to us are truly staggering, and it is not surprising that we cannot get our minds completely around it. But He delights to give to His people, and one of the greatest gifts that He has given to us is the future . . . What is the future of this world, …
When Relativism Hardens
“Therefore, speaking the truth is service to Christ and love to others, even if they consider themselves your adversaries . . . [but charges of arrogance are] “true now in the less-than-tolerant American public square, where relativism no longer means: Your claim to truth is no more valid than mine; but now means: You may …
Bad News. They Have Successfully Occupied Rush’s Head
Rush Limbaugh recently went on a little rant about classical education. He was riffing off the protest of an Occupy demonstrator, whose sign bemoaned her “useless” classical studies degree, and his basic response was that anybody who was dumb enough to get a classical studies degree deserved whatever they got, good and hard. Now as …
Unlawful to Hit Bottom
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) The Basket Case Chronicles #56 “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” (1 Cor. 6:12). Paul has just finished telling us …
Four Kinds of Puritan
I just recently finished a magnificent book, The Puritan Origins of American Patriotism, and a taxonomical breakdown occurred to me. I thought I’d share. There are four kinds of Puritan, stretching across the centuruies. Since the sixteenth century, the story has mostly been one of devolution, although there have been some delightful throwbacks here and …