“Many times stoutness of spirit comes from weakness rather than strength. There is not always the greatest strength of judgment where there is the greatest strength of will” (Burroughs, Irenicum, p. 198).
Walk Like a Ninja
Greenbaggins continues to review my book “Reformed” Is Not Enough, and he does so here. He begins this post by asking where I have been hiding. I sent an email to Douglas Wilson asking if he is desirous of continuing the debate. I believe that since June 28th, which was the first post on the …
Adultery
We may all agree that adultery is not a good thing, but our opinions here sometimes appear to be a mud fence we have built to withstand an incoming tsunami. Something more, we feel, may be necessary. In the modern church, a pastor can commit adultery, and get caught. It is at least possible that, …
Inner Jihad
“Only after the Islamic Empire had been established the notion of an ‘inner’ jihad—that of one’s personal fight against his ego and sinful desires—also came into being, but it was predicated on the assumption that the external, real jihad was nearing its completion” (Serge Trifkovic, The Sword of the Prophet, p. 89).
Book Sites Are Always Worth a Look
Some of you may be familiar with the web site Books on the Path. I just had a delightful visit with the new owner and manager of that business, and thought you might be interested in taking a look.
Two Ways to Cook
“Like New Orleans cooking, New Orleans jazz derives its power from deftly balanced ingredients and carefully controlled heat” (Martha Bayles, Hole in our Soul, p. 29).
Praying in the Wrong Direction
“When the people of God are praying to God, the one offering up prayers on their behalf should not start (or continue) preaching to the people. If a pastor did not get his last point of the sermon in, he must not shoehorn it into the closing prayer. The one praying should never forget who …
What Makes Men Go
“I think I may say that, in most men, will is the axle and lust and passions are the wheels whereupon almost all their actions are carried” (Burroughs, Irenicum, p. 197).
Who’s Theo?
I have been occupied with an unusual number of responsibilities the last several weeks, and so have not gotten to everything I need to. Responsibilities are like grapes; they come in bunches. One of the things I have needed to do is finish my review of Crunchy Cons — there are only two chapters left. …
Liturgicide
For those who want to do it, one of the best devices for hiding from God is something called liturgy. I say this as one advocating liturgical reform in the Church, and as one who has taught repeatedly that liturgy is inescapable. But developed liturgy, researched liturgy, biblical liturgy, remains a snare. A certain kind …