In 1998, I co-wrote a book with Doug Jones entitled Angels in the Architecture. The subtitle was “A Protestant Vision for Middle Earth,” and at the center of that vision was a robust rejection of modernity. The book begins with the question, “Modernity or medievalism?” (p. 17). To wit: “Medieval Protestantism is not a call …
Westminster Three: Of God’s Eternal Decree
1. God from all eternity, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass (Eph. 1:11; Rom. 11:33; Heb. 6:17; Rom. 9:15, 18): yet so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin (James 1:13, 17; 1 John 1:5), nor is violence offered …
A Fourth Decade of Psalms/Psalm 34
Introduction: This psalm is an acrostic—what the Latin Fathers called psalmi abcedarii. There are nine of these psalms total, and it is a pity that we can’t figure out a way to bring this across in translation. The Text: I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. …
Being Cooked At Home
“And the home is an example. There is a vast differencce between home cooking and being cooked at home. What are some of the things that cause the sweet nourishment of a home to be turned into a cauldron of death? The list is clearly not exhaustive, but consider just a few: displays of temper, …
No Secular Sacred Divide in Bluegrass Anyway
“A similar mixture of sacred and secular numbers can be found on nearly every bluegrass album by nearly every performer. Contemporary bluegrass virtuoso — and country music crossover –Alison Krauss told a reporter, ‘I’m trying to remember a [bluegrass] band that doesn’t play gospel. I just can’t think of any.'” (Gene Edward Veith, Honky-Tonk Gospel, …
Reciprocity in Love
“The desire that speaks first puts itself on display and, as a result, can become a mimetic model for the desire that has not yet spoken. The displayed desire runs the risk of being copied rather than reciprocated. In order to desire someone who desires us, we must not imitate the offered desire, we must …
Got My Pomojo Working
And another thing . . . Whenever I write on postmodernism, I usually get one of four basic responses. The first is a popular one these days with folks who have one remaining screw set firmly in the one remaining hinge. It involves setting up witty websites at my expense, with the wit employed showing …
His Flesh Is The Veil
I said last week that in the Lord’s Supper we partake of a living Christ, not a dead Christ. Scripture teaches this in the tenth chapter of Hebrews, a chapter rich in sacramental doctrine. We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ (v. 10), which was offered once for all by …
Actually Praying for Turmoil
It is too easy to pray glibly for reformation. Who could be against that? But know that whenever God has shown His kindness in purifying His church, one of the immediate results is always turmoil. The overall result, of course, is reformation, and later historians will write about how glorious it was to be alive …
Walking Away From Greed
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) Growing Dominion, Part 94 “He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live” (Prov. 15:27). The point of greed is to benefit your own house, but it frequently does not work out that way. The …