Ironically, the more fervently we pursue theological uniformity, the more the Bible takes a back seat, even among people who pride themselves on having the Bible in the navigator’s seat. That’s because the lens of uniformity insists that everyone interpret difficult or controversial Scripture passages exactly the same way. There’s no room for differing opinions, blind spots, or simply being wrong. Those who don’t toe the company line are cast aside. The result is that every time a tough biblical question comes up, we have to consult the tribal manual for the “correct” answer. Instead of our answers and theology …keep reading »
In Acts 1:10–11 we read: “Two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” If you think that Jesus finished when He died and was buried, listen to the message of Luke, listen to this treatise written to Theophilus—it is written to you. He will come again, even as He went. He will return, in bodily, visible fashion, riding the clouds of …keep reading »
Lots of theological debate and assertion takes place in the Christian blogosphere. Lots! In fact, I wonder if 80% of Christian blogs would exist if the debating stopped. I can see an end to Christian blogging debates – that day the sun stops rising. So we’ll be here a while. Christian debating is not necessarily a bad thing, but it can be. We just have to get better at it. By better, I mean more Christ-like. Part of being more Christ-like is found in how we accuse one another which Scripture speaks to in more than one place, in more …keep reading »
Top Weekly Post – Duck Dynasty: Some Clarity on Baptism Open theism – Dallas Willard and open theism. SGM Lawsuit – Answering Some Objections I’ve Gotten About the SGM Lawsuit. Southern Baptists – For the Propagation of the Gospel. Thinking – Critical Thinking Versus Utopian Thinking. Marketing – The Truth about “Secret Sauce” and Other Marketing Wonders. Driscoll and Tribalism – Mark Driscoll, Tribalism, and the Church and Open Letter to Mark Driscoll (2013). Grace Tipping – Steak ‘n Shake server receives an over 7000% tip. Erotica & the Bible – What’s the Difference Between Erotica and Song of Solomon? …keep reading »
Tonight, May 16, 2013, Bioloa University will host The Origin of Life: The Great God Debate II Evolution Vs. Design between Michael Ruse vs. Fuz Rana moderated by Craig Hazen. The debate starts at 7 PM PDT/10 PM EDT. Click-> To watch live! Follow on twitter with the hashtag #GODdebate. The format which includes questions from the audience, twitter and text is as follows. Opening Arguments: 20 minutes each 1st Cross-Examination: 6 minutes each side Rebuttals: 10 minutes each 2nd Cross-Examination: 6 minutes each side Concluding Arguments: 5 minutes each Q &A: 40 minutes The topic: “Are natural processes sufficient …keep reading »
In his letter to the rambunctious church at Corinth Paul reminds us that Jesus Christ is our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (1 Cor. 1:30). In Philippians we can find confidence with Paul that “He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6). Our benefits in Christ are noted in the following chart. Position (Standing) Condition (State) In heaven Spiritual Life New birth New man New nature New creature Justified Forgiven In Christ On earth Physical Death First birth Old man Old nature Old creature Condemned Guilty In Adam Over …keep reading »
What would you do Wednesday! Given the widespread use of social media the following scenario is bound to happen if it hasn’t happened all ready. It’s a normal day on Facebook. Some people are sharing pictures of their kids and their food. Others complain about or praise something going on in their life. And many people share political and religious pictures and postcards – both funny and serious. On your wall, you decide to post something expressing disagreement with a relatively well-known Christian speaker. While you did not necessary disagree doctrinally, the real issue was his crass approach to the …keep reading »
I wrote A Few More Things You Should Know About Duck Dynasty when I found out these fellows belonged to a Church of Christ – White’s Ferry Road Church of Christ. That post documents a ministry from White’s Ferry, that trains people in evangelism, explaining that people should be re-baptized for salvation who claim, “I am already saved; I was saved when I believed in Jesus” or “Were baptized to show [they] had already been saved.” I have had several conversations – online and off – on this topic. Several of my fellow Southern Baptists have concerns since the Duck …keep reading »
I’ve got to do a fallacy journal (for a class) based on 15 informal logical fallacies.1 The fallacies are to be pulled from every day mediums such as reading, TV, social media, etc. I first shared some fallacy findings in Fallacy Journal I. I will share a few more findings in the same-sex marriage debate below featuring Ryan Anderson versus Piers Morgan and Suze Orman. And if anyone cares to explore these fallacies further here is an online fallacy list. Division – argues without warrant what is true the group must be true of its parts. Morgan uses this approach …keep reading »
The gospel is the good news of how God reconciles his rebellious image-bearers to himself by the death and resurrection of his Son. This good news properly entails transformed living that touches all our horizontal relationships, but which is never reducible to horizontal relationships. The proclamation of this gospel that has freed us and prepared us to meet our Maker is our joyous privilege and solemn responsibility. When the discharge of this mission is met with God’s blessing, it produces men and women who are ready for both this life and the next. Thus Christian mission can never be reduced …keep reading »
