H.L. Mencken once ably described democracy as the art and science of running the zoo from the monkey house. There are placid periods where one is permitted to forget this, but every so often elections happen to us, and everything gets ripe and fruity. James Dobson took Obama to ask for his comments in a …
No Salvation for This Nation Without a Savior
The most recent sermon preached on Amos, “No Jesus, No Way,” can be found here.
Food Allergies or Food Phobia?
Here is a short statement or sketch on something that I hope to develop some more in the near future. I speak of the comparatively new and alarming trend in Christian circles toward the demonization of certain basic foods. I am not speaking of those who have genuine allergies, but rather to a larger, culture-wide …
NFPV(s)P for Short
Zowie. The RPCNA has adopted a report that speaks in loud, muffly tones. The emphasis is mine. The skylarking afterwards is also mine. 1. That Synod DECLARE that we stand in solidarity with our Reformed and Presbyterian brethren in rejecting as contrary to the Scriptures as summarized by our confessional standards the theological views that …
A Little Fun Over At Femina
My daughter-in-law is having a little fun over at Femina. When the contest is over, I will, if necessary, defend myself. And while I am on the same general subject, let me say that the best song I downloaded this year was Mark Knopfler’s Song for Sonny Liston. And I also really liked Jakob Dylan’s Something …
Clam Chowder and the Future of Africa
I am in Austin for the ACCS conference, and while on the plane coming here, I spent some time listening to N.T. Wright on Jesus and the victory of God. His treatment of the parable of the sower was profound, and seeing the prodigal son as Israel in exile is clearly the foundational way to …
What We Need Around Here Is a Good Steak Knife
A friend sent me some links that I would like to pass on to you. James Dobson recently took issue with Obama’s foray into scriptural hermeneutics and cultural applications. You can read about that here. The passage in Obama’s speech that Dobson no like is here. And the full Obama speech is here. The problem …
A Random Recommendation
A few weeks ago, Nancy and I watched a movie we really enjoyed. The cinematography appears to have been done by Andrew Wyeth, with the whole movie powerful and understated. You have the clear and satisfying sense of having been told a story. The good church folks in it are blinkered and provincial, but are …
Saying a Few Amens With Scott Clark
Just a quick response to Scott Clark’s comment about faith and obedience. This is also part of my continued interaction with Lane, since Lane handed this round off to Scott. There are a number of places there where I could cultivate my differences with Scott, as though they need cultivating, but let me take this …
The Secret Motor
Over the last few years, I have learned a lot about the secret motor that makes pretty much everyone go down the road. But God gives more grace, as James would say. Here is a set of messages where I try to condense into manageable form some of what I have learned about this.