One of the things that mystifies and amuses me by turns is the tendency of contemporary Christians to believe that they are achieving a rare authenticity of soul, that they are presenting a prophetic countercultural vision to a watching world, that they are living out a genuine alternative lifestyle in line with the radical demands …
Beck and Mohler
Justin Taylor recently mentioned Peter Lillback’s appearance on Glenn Beck, and also in that same post linked to Al Mohler’s discussion of Beck’s dissing of “social justice” a few weeks back. I read Mohler’s article with interest and appreciation, and I agreed with everything he said about what the Bible says about justice. But I …
The Pentecostal Gift
INTRODUCTION:As we celebrate the various holidays of the church year, we generally know what they are about. Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ, and Easter His resurrection. And even if you didn’t know what Ascension Day was about, you could probably guess from the name—in a “who’s buried in Grant’s tomb?” sort of way. But …
Not as the Scribes
Scripture records of the Lord’s teaching ministry that He taught with authority, and not like the scribes. Scripture tells us in another place to beware of those who hold to the form of religion, but who lack the power of it. The words we read, every week, are powerful. The lyrics of our psalms and …
In or Out
Our baptized children are welcome to the Table, together with us. But just as there are pitfalls in excluding them, so also there are pitfalls in bringing them. We must always remember that covenantal blessings are received by faith; they are not dispensed automatically.
The Sin of Impotence
Our Father and God, You have established Your Church as a royal priesthood in this world, and so we intercede for the nations of men now, confessing on their behalf so that the grace of Your forgiveness will soon be extended to them all. Father, we confess that we as a people have become enamored …
Like Relativistic Girls
Now here’s a story that tells you everything you need to know about the moral bankruptcy of the secular West, and the impossibility of a secular multiculturalism. A true multiculturalism is something to be desired, but it is only possible in Christ. The concept of something like the United Nations is a good one — …
Caleb and Katie
Marriage is one of the great gifts of God and, as with all His gifts, it must be received by faith. Not only must it be received by faith, it must be received by faith alone. This is a truth that we may view from various angles. For example, in Ephesians 5, marriage is set …
Smelly Little Orthodoxies
Of course, on the question of the relationship of clear writing and clear thinking, George Orwell is indispensible. And so it is indeed fitting that my friend Peter Hitchens has won the Orwell prize, England’s most prestigious writing award. Go, fight, win. The judges said: “In choosing this year’s winner, we went back to Orwell. …
Spooky Almost
The other night Rand Paul was chosen to be the Republican candidate for the Senate in Kentucky, and how long did it take for charges of racism to surface? What? Thirty seconds? This was all on the basis of Paul’s opposition to certain portions of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. And since the lighting here …