“The books of ‘Sketches and Skeletons’ which are so often published and so widely bought, are an unmitigated evil, and a disgrace to the ministry of the gospel . . . There is no excuse for such books, and no minister should suffer one of them to remain in his library” (Broadus, Preparation and Delivery, …
The Head of Every Man
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) The Basket Case Chronicles #123 “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God” (1 Cor. 11:3). However devoutly some people might …
Not the Same Door
As we continue to consider the implications of Paul’s requirements for the minister’s family, a few other considerations need to be introduced at the front end. These considerations are not in the interest of governing through exceptions — just the reverse, actually. We are coming (soon enough) to a statement of what this high standard …
A Servant Throne
Introduction When things are going our way, we want to build God a house. But God says no, let me build you a house. This is God’s way of doing things, and this is what justification by faith alone is all about. The Text: “And it came to pass, when the king sat in his …
Because He Bled
We are gathered at this Table in a world that has been fundamentally transformed by the resurrection of Jesus. The world can never be the same as it was before because this is a world in which a man has come back from the dead. And so we believe in the resurrection, we declare and …
Not a Trickle
As we watch our culture disintegrate, seemingly in fast forward, we must guard ourselves against the contortions of unbelief. Whatever is currently happening, unbelief is always able to turn that into an argument for remaining in unbelief. Before the decay of our culture was well-advanced, unbelief was always able to say “it is not that …
Not Counting Rocks
I have said in other contexts that the Pauline requirements for ministry are character qualifications, and as such they are not analogous to the operation of counting rocks. Though we are discussing the requirement of godly family management, let me illustrate the point with one of the other qualifications, also having to do with family. …
Why Some Young Preachers Pose
“Thus it happens that aspiring young minds, setting out in pursuit of originality, are sometimes led to seek it in affectations of style, rather than in genuine, clear thinking” (Broadus, Preparation and Delivery, p. 133).
Shaking Us Loose
“We have no right to take for granted that commentaries and theologians are correct in their opinions; and in fact theological discord and conflicts, with all their evils, have this advantage, that they compel the most trusting and the most slothful of us somewhat to feel the necessity of thinking for ourselves” (Broadus, Preparation and …
Moons and Sun
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) The Basket Case Chronicles #122 “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you” (1 Cor. 11:1-2). Paul …