One of the most difficult exercises in practical Christian living is learning the distinction between forgiveness and trust, as well as the distinction between forgiveness and qualification for office. Forgiveness is hard enough to do without confusing it with things that are impossible to do. Let me state the general problem first, using different illustrations. …
Some Theological Background
I am pleased to introduce a guest post of sorts from my friend, Jack Bradley. He collected some relevant quotes (think: Leithart trial) from Leonard Vander Zee, Christ, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Here they are: “In ordinary language the two words sign and symbol are used nearly interchangeably. In fact, they have quite different …
When the Dirt Hit Hegel’s Coffin
Like a football team with some self-respect, but not a ton of it, Christianity in North America has every expectation of playing a decent game, but no expectation of winning it. This is why — on all the sexual glue issues — we fight battles in various states, and sometimes we win them. By this …
Last Day of the Canon Sale
Just a quick reminder . . .
The Suspension From Nothing Bridge
“Why ought one individual, with one set of nerve endings, be concerned about another set of nerve endings entirely? They are not connected, except through cultural teaching. That teaching, in our case, is grounded in the will of God. In your case, it is grounded in bare assertion. What you need to do here is …
While the Same Thing Goes for Joy
“A congregation learns the seriousness of the gospel by the seriousness with which the pastors expound it” (Stott, Between Two Worlds, pp. 278-279)
Cardinal Sexuality
I wanted to riff off of something that the Bayly brothers noted here. When we say that something is of cardinal importance, we are leaning on the older Latin meaning of the source word, cardo, which meant door hinge. Human sexuality is of cardinal importance. It is a hinge upon which all turns. It is …
Special Hypocrisy Rates
“But while we are on the subject of [OT] sexual slavery, let me raise the question whether anything like that is happening now . . . let’s talk about sexual slavery of children in places like Thailand. And let’s ask who would be most likely to approve of sexual jaunts to visit the slaves there …
Don’t Settle
“Our preaching must not be articulate snoring” (Spurgeon, as quoted by Stott, Between Two Worlds, p. 275).
And Then the Sun Goes Out
“You want them to stop turning America into a big, dumb theocracy. But why? If there is no God, what could possibly be wrong with theocracies? They provide high entertainment value, and they give everbody involved in them a sense of dignity and high moral purpose. They get to wear ecclesiastical robes, march in impressive …