In a recent debate with an atheist, I was asked why I was a Christian. I replied that it was because my mother had spanked me. But I admit that this needs to be filled out a bit, and when we do, we will discover that the explanation is releveant to our discussions over the …
Becoming Hindu In Beverly Hills
I recently heard a very nice gentleman give his testimony about his pilgrimage from various forms of evangelical Protestantism to Eastern Orthodoxy. He was obviously sincere, intelligent, well-read, and spiritually hungry for God, but I was really concerned about the central hinge in his argument. Before getting to that, I am listing this post under …
For the Small Stuff
I am on the road this Lord’s Day, and will be preaching at Christ Church in Cary. At home in Christ Church, the pulpit will be filled by Francis Foucachon. Thus, as it turns out, I am not responsible for the exhortation in the call to worship this morning, or for the homily that accompanies …
Reverence and Godly Awe
As we worship God we must remember the glory of covenant which enables us to worship Him. Too many Christians regard the New Covenant as God “dumbing down” His requirements. The Old Testament represents graduate school worship, and the New Testament somehows sends us all back for some training in the remedial basics. This thinking …
The Scarecrow’s Hat
One of the regular charges leveled against Auburn Avenue types is that we are paving the way for our folks to go over to Rome, or, mayhap to the other church, farther to the east, that has apostolic credentials going all the way back. Unless you count the Copts. And the Armenian Orthodox. Bunch of …
Postscript on Timeless Truths
Yesterday I posted something on N.T. Wright’s take on timeless truths, and here is one additional thought on that subject. Relativism wants to localize all values, decentering everything. This is what lies behind the postmodern shift from virtues to values. The virtue of honesty is the same in every culture, time and place. But values …
Like One Another
By the grace of God, we are growing into a genuine community. This means that we must deal with far more than the simple issues that attend membership in a religious club that meets once a week. We are learning to live together. This means shared meals. It means watching one another’s children. It means …
Scriptural Hermeneutics
Here is an interesting site that has some good info on Old Testament passages that are quoted in the New Testament. Since this whole subject mounts the central challenge to “scientific” hermeneutics in the evangelical camp, I would encourage all evangelicals everywhere to pursue this subject diligently. Longnecker’s book on the subject was really informative, …
Three Cheers for Timeless Truths
Anyone who has read even a little bit of N.T Wright’s stuff knows that he regularly takes a swing at the whole idea of “timeless truths.” Now I think I know what he is getting at, but I really think the whole subject needs to be nuanced far more than I think Wright does. All …
Their Foundry Is Deceit
Minister: Lift up your hearts! Congregation: We lift them up to the Lord! I have been dealt with graciously, According to Your Word. Teach me Your judgments, all are good, Give me your knowledge freely now, For I have faith in all Your law. Before affliction, and the chastening rod, I wandered off alone, But …