Theology and Doxology

INTRODUCTION:Paul’s response to the very dense theology he has been working through is to break out into song. His theology bursts forth into doxology. These are not two unrelated things—rightly done, rightly understood, theology leads inexorably to praise. Let’s consider why. THE TEXT:“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of …

Hail Marys in Protestant Churches

“There are preachers who make a last ditch effort to make something out of a sermon which was generally disorganized, vague, and lacking biblical content. Such a pastor may recognize (too late) that he isn’t getting anywhere, so he moves into his ‘two-minute offense’, trying to hit pay dirt quickly” (Wagner, Tongues Aflame, p. 84).

Smoke in the Eyes

INTRODUCTION:There are two dangers when it comes to the interpretation of biblical prophecy. The first, fairly common among evangelicals, is to picture the fulfillment in lurid and garish colors, filled out with a crass literalism, but which fully retains the right to be called “fantastical.” Such fulfillments, were they to happen, would be amazing. But …

State of the Church 2009

INTRODUCTION: This is a season for personal inventories, and for resolutions. This is appropriate and fitting . . . unless one of your resolutions needs to be to rely less on resolutions and more on actually doing something. Assuming your resolutions help you get things done, you don’t want to lose ground here in order …