Why #StrangeFire Should Have Included Continuationists
There's a lot of discussion still going on after all of the dust has been settling from the Strange Fire conference. It seems as if a majority of the feedback has been negative, with the primary criticism being how MacArthur and the conference misrepresented a great...
Where do the “Perishing Heathens” Go?
In 1843, Robert Moffat preached at the Barbican Chapel a sermon that raised the searching question of the eternal destination of those in foreign lands. He asked, "Who can look to the East Indies now, and to China now; who can look to those interesting portions of the...
Fallen, edited by Morgan & Peterson
When is the last time you read a book all about sin? You know, that icky stuff that a lot of television preachers don't like to talk about much. The last book I read that was almost exclusively on the topic of sin was John Piper's Spectacular Sins and that was in...
What should characterize a Christian worship gathering?
Several months ago we spent time working through 1 Corinthians 12-14. Within this “Early Church Worship Guide,” we clearly find the apostle Paul writing, “So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But all things should be...
Embracing Shared Ministry, by Joseph H. Hellerman
When I was younger, I was a part of a church that went through a leadership change and witnessed first hand how churches can fall apart quickly if they are too committed to a single leader. Over the years, I've remained concerned about this issue and have tried to do...
Pennington’s Case Against Continuationism…
I already wrote a long post on Strange Fire, so this will be a little shorter. Tim Challies has posted Tom Pennington's case for Cessationism. It probably has the most substance for Continuationists to consider out of all that has been shared thus far at MacArthur's...
5 Things You Can Do to Understand the Bible Better, by Zach McIntosh
In 2011 Kevin DeYoung asked, "What's Up with Lutherans?" His question was simply a conversation starter and brought about an excellent response by Paul T. McCain, "What About Those Lutherans?" Though Lutherans have similarities with Evangelicals, they are often not...
Strange Fire Turns Toward Strained Polemics
So the firestorm from the Strange Fire Conference has been steadily building throughout the past few weeks and is now in full swing. When word got out that the conference was going to take place and that John MacArthur was releasing a book of the same name, Dr....
The Significance of Charles Finney Amongst Evangelicals… and Edwards’ Response!
Randall Balmer writes in The Making of Evangelicalism: "... Evangelicals have understood better than anyone else how to communicate to the masses. The message they propagate is simple, straightforward, and utterly indebted to Charles Finney. Come to Jesus. Make a...
... human legislation in matters of religion may make hypocrites, but it cannot make Christians." - Andrew Jackson
Towards an Evangelical Identity: Bebbington vs. McGrath vs. Noll
The current class I'm taking at the University of Birmingham (UK) has been focused on the history of Evangelicalism. We spent some time reading through David Bebbington's classic Evangelicalism in Modern Britain, Alister McGrath's Evangelicalism & the Future of...
“Against the Gods,” by John D. Currid
When was the last time that polemical theology was encouraged? It seems as if polemics, a strong verbal or written attack on someone or something, has become quite unfashionable. I recently participated in a conversation on Facebook where several commenters suggested...
Life Change for Couples, by James M. Reeves
Are you in a marriage that is struggling? Has your marriage gone through some challenges that have brought about some deep wounds and unforgiveness? Do you long for more intimacy in your marriage? Have you found yourself feeling like your marriage relationship is...
Watch a pastor quit his job…
[vimeo 76313780 w=560 h=315] I can't say that I've ever watched a pastor quit his job, so this is a first. With that being said, if I ever quit my job, I hope I come across half as gracious and hopeful as these two do. Praying for you, Kenny and MaryJo!
Church History, Volume Two, edited by Woodbridge & James
Koinonia was kind enough to provide me with a review copy of Church History, Volume Two: From Pre-Reformation to the Present Day: The RIse and Growth of the Church in Its Cultural, Intellectual, and Political Context. Edited by John D. Woodbridge and Frank A. James...
What is Sacramental Ecclesiology?
One of my favorite works addressing Evangelical ecclesiology is found in The Community of the Word. It has several fascinating essays toward an Evangelical ecclesiology, including one written by Ellen T. Charry, "Sacramental Ecclesiology." She writes, "What is a...
3 Guiding Principles for Planning Your Worship Liturgy
Bob Kauflin has some good advice for those who are stuck in-between the complex arguments of those who embrace the regulative principle and those who do not. In his widely read and well respected book, Worship Matters, Kauflin offers three guiding principles for...
5 Reasons Why I Dislike Pastor Appreciation Month
So here we are... it's Pastor Appreciation Month. This is the time of year where some congregations take the time to express their gratitude to people serving in ministry. I think I'm supposed to appreciate this appreciation and to champion its cause but I'll be...
God Uses People to Transform Hearts…
Fourteen years ago, little Chloe came into my world. Chloe is my youngest sister. On the day of her birth, we learned that she had down syndrome. The feelings I had were mixed. Being that I knew virtually nothing about downs, I felt a sense of sorrow and loss. Sure, I...
Three Views on God’s Sovereignty & Human Choice
ThinkTheology.org hosted a blog presentation concerning the relationship between God's sovereignty and human choice. Able Baker wrote "God’s Sovereignty Over the Details of Human Choice as Seen through the Lens of Imputed Sin," Kenny Burchard wrote, "God, Our...
Towards the Mysterious Will and Use of God’s Providence
A friend of mine was recently telling me about some discussions taking place in a small group that he leads. This summer his inquisitive small group participants have been asking questions related to how a good God could allow evil and suffering. The amazing thing is...
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